BY MARIA D. JAMES — Big changes are underway for at the Mall at Prince Georges. The mall will soon welcome an array of new tenants, including clothing retailer H&M.

Shoppers who walk through the mall and pass by Payless ShoeSource will come across a large tan wall—the location of the 20,000-square-foot store, which is expected to open this fall.

According to the H&M corporate office, the new location will “offer Hyattsville residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies and men, as well as separate ‘store within a store’ sections for accessories.” The store will also carry a children’s collection for newborns up through teens.

Maryland is a growing market for the H&M brand; the corporate office plans to open 10 locations throughout the state.

The addition of H&M is just one of many changes to the Mall at Prince Georges. On April 22, mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) announced it would invest $25 million into a total overhaul of the mall. By next year, shoppers will see a range of new retailers, restaurants, and entertainment tenants.

PREIT is actively seeking entertainment-type tenants, like bowling and kid activities, but there are no plans for a movie theater on-site.

In a release published by the Washington Business Journal, PREIT CEO Joseph Coradino shared that  the overhaul will be implemented in a number of phases. While he was unable to share details about the other new tenants, he said to expect more restaurants in the mall.

Coradino is quoted as saying, “People are dining out much more frequently these days, so we are a big proponent of bringing food, both fast-casual and sit-down restaurants, to the mall.” He hoped the changes would draw in more shoppers not currently patronizing the mall.

According to Coradino, major renovation work at the mall—including interiors and a new facade—will begin next year. PREIT last renovated the mall in 2001, but that project mostly focused on the interiors. PREIT purchased the Mall at Prince Georges in 1998, when it was still called Prince George’s Plaza. The name of the mall was changed after the first renovations.

Jim Chandler, CEcD, LEED AP, Assistant City Administrator and Director, Community & Economic Development, said that the phased approach was intentionally planned with the tenants and shoppers in mind.

“The mall is one of the most valuable properties in the city, and we wanted to make sure that it remains successful,” said Chandler. “This phased approach will ensure that we don’t disturb commerce.”

Chandler says that the changes at the mall are representative of a county-wide response to redevelopment plans. “The city is supportive of the renovations; the increase in retailers is a great opportunity for all residents,” said Chandler. “I’m confident that the next phase [of the mall] will be successful.”