The Fashion District, formerly the Gallery, is officially open for business

Photo credit Hadas Kuznits/KYW Newsradio

By Hadas Kuznits, KYW Newsradio 1060

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The highly anticipated opening of the three-block mall that used to be known as the Gallery happened Thursday afternoon. The 900,000 square feet of completely renovated space has now been refurbished and renamed as the Fashion District.

The grand opening of the Fashion District was a long time coming, and PREIT CEO Joseph Coradino says even before the Gallery closed in 2015 for Fashion District renovations, it took a long time to just acquire the property.

“The city owned a piece, the state pension fund owned a piece," he explained.

Coradino says it took four years to design and build the Fashion District, but this concept was actually in the works for 16 years while his company slowly acquired the real estate on Market Street between Ninth and 11th streets.

He says he saw the need for a destination shopping area in the city.

“I’m a Philadelphian born and raised, and Walnut Street’s nice, but not enough for the fifth or sixth largest city in America," he added.

Shoppers finally got a first look inside Thursday and many were impressed.

“Its good. It’s bananas," said Mark Bullock, who was checking out the space. “It’s the stores, but at the same time, it’s the renovations."

“Just the cosmetic piece of it makes a difference for me," said Veronica Craig of Olney.

Mayor Jim Kenney says the debut of the Fashion District will bring more jobs to the area.

“4,500 jobs. People need to work. Especially in a city that has as many poor people as we have, we need to have job opportunities," Kenney said.

So far, the Fashion District is 60 percent full with 75 stores being announced and 129 total stores expected to open by the end of next year.

The Fashion District will be hosting a slew of opening weekend promotions, concerts and lifestyle events.

Photo credit Detroit Red Wings left wing Andreas Athanasiou moves the puck away from St. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

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Photo credit Detroit Red Wings right wing Givani Smith, left, has the puck knocked away by St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)