BLOOMINGTON, Minn.—Mall of America, the nation’s largest retail and entertainment destination; Mortenson, a U.S.-based construction and development services company; Hotel Development LLC, an enterprise of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; and the City of Bloomington, Minn., recently celebrated the beginning of a $325 million expansion project during a groundbreaking event.
The expansion will include a 342-room JW Marriott hotel, office tower, high-end retailers, new dining options, a tourist welcome center, and large event space. An extension of the Mall on all three levels on the north side, it is the most significant construction project at the property since opening in 1992.
The JW Marriott located at Mall of America is a ground-up, 14-story, 342-room hotel with direct access to the Mall. The hotel will be owned by Hotel Development LLC and will be managed by Marriott International. It includes a full-service restaurant and bar, grand lobby with a lobby bar, fitness center, pool, and extensive meeting space that includes a grand ballroom. It also will offer an executive lounge and underground parking.
“It is important to us to make investments that will help our community and this region grow and prosper,” said Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Chairman Charlie Vig. “This is a good investment in an important and healthy sector of Minnesota’s economy, and it will bring jobs to many people who need them, including those in the Native American community.”
The expansion is expected to generate 1,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs from ongoing retail, hotel, and office operations. Construction has begun and anticipated completion is scheduled for fall 2015.
