Ideal Location at I-80 and US-65 in Altoona
(April 14, 2014) New England Development announced its plans today to develop a 325,000 square foot outlet center in Altoona, Iowa at the intersection of I-80 and US-65. Featuring approximately 75 of some of the best brand names in retail, Des Moines Outlets will serve the Des Moines metropolitan area and beyond. With no other outlet center located within 80 miles, this new center will meet the region's need for brand names at outlet prices.
Des Moines Outlets will be an integral part of The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing, being developed by Heart of America Group. The site consists of 174 acres and over 1.4 million square feet of leasable space with plans for hotel, additional retail, office, and residential uses. This summer, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse will open on the development's eight-acre lake.
New England Development, one of the nation's premier real estate developers with a growing portfolio of outlet centers, expressed enthusiasm about the Des Moines market and this location in particular. Douglass Karp, Executive Vice President of New England Development, commented, "The Des Moines market is well-known nationally for its dynamic growth and quality of life. The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing provides an ideal opportunity for us to be part of this market in an exciting development at a terrific location."
The 32-acre Des Moines Outlets site, at exit 142 off of I-80, is at an established destination for shopping and entertainment and just six miles from downtown Des Moines. The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing sits adjacent to Prairie Meadows Racetrack, Casino and Hotel, Adventureland Amusement Park, Bass Pro Shops, and the Facebook Data Center. Currently, these established uses attract over 6 million visitors a year to the surrounding area and Des Moines Outlets will significantly add to these counts.
New England Development is in the initial stages of developing a plan to submit to town officials. Mr. Karp commented, "We look forward to working with Altoona, the state, and the local community on this exciting project." Mayor Skip Conkling calls this a "tremendous opportunity for the City of Altoona. Des Moines Outlets are the perfect complement to Altoona's growing entertainment, retail and hospitality industry. This project will draw visitors to our community from all over the Midwest." "This is exactly the kind of project that fits the regional draw already established in Altoona and it will be a dynamic addition to the State of Iowa," stated Mike Whalen President and CEO of Heart of America Group.
New England Development
Founded by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen R. Karp in 1978, New England Development is one of the nation's premier real estate development and management companies, with nearly 50 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential space to its credit. Led by Steve Karp, together with principals Steven S. Fischman and Douglass E. Karp, New England Development has 35 years of retail development, leasing and management experience and is acclaimed for some of the country's most widely recognized and successful regional malls. The firm is also known for its growing portfolio of outlet centers, in communities including West Palm Beach, Florida; Asheville, North Carolina; and Little Rock, Arkansas, and for developing mixed-use complexes featuring retail, residential, hotel and office uses; outlet centers; power centers; marinas; golf courses; resort and convention hotel properties; and even an entire planned community.
Heart of America Group
Heart of America Group, the independent hotel, restaurant, and retail space development company headquartered in Moline, Illinois has a thirty-six year of history developing, building, owning, and operating successful hotel and restaurant operations; a niche they've mastered. Currently the company owns and operates 41 properties across six states that fall within nine well-known brands. The Midwest-based company was founded in 1978 by Mike Whalen, President & CEO.
