The Easton Gateway development has seen a flurry of construction over the past year, which should be coming to a close by the end of 2015. The 54-acre expansion east of the original Easton Town Center has added over 500,000 square feet of retail space to the area, which is already at full capacity.
“In terms of retail space, it’s basically about 100% committed; we’re finalizing the remaining leases,” explained Beau Arnason, Executive VP of Asset Management at Steiner + Associates, the leasing management company at Easton. “The bulk of those tenants will open by September, which will include the new Whole Foods as well.”
Arnason said that the original vision for Easton Gateway was to provide opportunities to bring more “first to market” tenants to Central Ohio, while also offering space for retailers without a presence on the east side of Columbus. He said that has been achieved with new regional brands like REI, Saks Off 5th and the soon-to-open Chuy’s Tex-Mex, and expansions from other neighborhoods, including Fusian, Melt and Pies & Pints.
Easton Gateway also includes some second-story office space in the central area, which Arnason sees as a bit of a unique offering outside of Downtown Columbus.
“When you move into office space in the inner ring suburbs, it’s mostly free-standing office surrounding by parking, which is not that interesting,” he stated. “This type of office space is is in a highly sought area because of the visibility, access and the restaurant amenities right downstairs.”
Arnason said that the office space at Easton Gateway is also fully leased.
Three more retail stores at Easton Gateway will officially open this weekend, including the Container Store, Visionworks and Z Gallerie.
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For more information, visit www.eastontowncenter.com/easton-gateway.
All photos by Walker Evans.