Fashion Place is undergoing a multi-million dollar makeover in the next three years -- moved in part by anchor Nordstrom's plans to expand its store at the Murray mall.

The mall, one of five in Utah owned by Chicago regional mall operator General Growth Properties Inc., will add 230,000 square feet of new retail space, bringing Fashion Place's total leasable space to more than 1 million square feet.

Construction began in March and is expected to be completed in 2010. Mall representatives declined to specify the cost of the makeover.

The mall's remodel -- the second in more than two decades -- includes new stores for Nordstrom and Dillard's, new restaurants, more shops and interior renovations. Nordstrom is building a 138,000 square foot store, while Dillard's is building a 236,000 square foot store. Other anchors Sears and Macy's will remain unchanged.

The mall, located at 6191 S. State Street in Murray, was built in 1972 and its last remodel was in 1986.

"It has been a desire to update and remodel Fashion Place for many years under previous owners. Nordstrom's commitment to build a new store was a significant and necessary element for us to pursue our plans," said Tamara DeMilt, the mall's senior marketing manager.

Nordstrom and Dillard's had inherited existing department store buildings that weren't built to fit their specifications, she said. Nordstrom needed a larger space to accommodate their expanding line of merchandise.

Among the planned additions are a new food court with outdoor seating and two new anchor restaurants. A community plaza will be built for open-air concerts and other events.

The mall, which is 98 percent occupied, currently has 150 retailers including Applebee's, Olive Garden, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Cache, Charlotte Russe, bebe, Victoria's Secret, Express, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Brookstone, Eddie Bauer, Buckle, American Eagle, and Massey's Jewelers.

General Growth owns the Provo Towne Centre, Cache Valley mall in Logan, Newgate Mall in Ogden, Cottonwood Mall in Holladay, and Red Cliffs Mall in St. George. The publicly traded real estate investment trust has a total nationwide portfolio of about 200 million square feet and more than 24,000 retail stores and anchor department stores, theaters, restaurants, and family entertainment properties including ice-skating rinks.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C4.