Outlets at Loveland Update: Is ‘Loveland Yards’ Just More of the Same?
When it was announced in November 2022 that the Outlets at Loveland had officially been sold to a new developer, hopes grew that the old mall would transform into something to be proud of again. Are folks still as hopeful here in the spring of 2023?
Yes, the Loveland Yards developer said they'd be bringing retail, office and flex spaces to the mall. Somehow, however, things don't seem all that different, as the developer seems to be doing their best to "polish a sneaker."
I can absolutely see people saying, when there was talk of building the Outlets at Loveland 30 years ago, "I don't like it." Here we are today, and I have this voice in my head saying, "I don't like it," when it comes to how things are looking for the "rejuvenation" of the Outlets at Loveland.
I'm guessing that many others, who also grew up in Loveland, feel at least a little bit the same. Let's take a look at what we know.
WHAT BUSINESSES REMAIN AT LOVELAND YARDS/OUTLETS AT LOVELAND
If you drive out to the area here in the spring of 2023, you'll find three places that are still in operation.
- The Scout Shop
- Be Well Clinic
- Innomax
To be clear, the current developers, Schuman, only own the north parcel of the former Outlets at Loveland.
The only business on that side is the Be Well Clinic. According to the Reporter-Herald and BizWest, Schuman will be taking ownership of the south side, as well, by the end of the summer of 2023.
WHAT IS SCHUMAN'S PLAN?
Instead of businesses renting spaces in the mall, companies will be owning/leasing "condo" spaces at Loveland Yards.
HOW IS SCHUMAN CHANGING THE LOOK OF THE OUTLETS AT LOVELAND?
They're fixing roofs, repairing and painting the old stucco, doing some landscaping, and restriping the parking lots.
Myself, I was really thinking that they'd be tearing down the "old" mall and creating new condo-style spaces. Of course, they never said they'd be putting up new condos, just changing the business model of the mall from rentals to condos.
A CHURCH JUST BOUGHT MUCH OF THE NORTH SIDE
Citipoint Church of Northern Colorado, which currently has space on the south side of the "mall," recently paid more than $4.5 million for eight units on the northwest side. Their units include the space that was customer service and the business offices of the Outlets at Loveland.
LOVELAND YARDS HAS OTHER BUSINESSES LINED UP
The church will obviously not be the only business at Loveland Yards. According to BizWest, they have several future owners of condos lined up, including:
- Large Medical Practice
- Fitness Facility
- Physical Therapy business
- Music Studio
- Coffee Shop
- Clothing Boutique
- Insurance Agency
I think I just need to re-adjust my perception of Loveland Yards: It's not a new outlet mall, and it's not a new shopping center; but it's not non-descript "no-name" businesses out by the interstate, either.
They are going to need to change that big marquee, though.