Festival Bay Mall Continues to Demonstrate Its Status as a Premier Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Shopping Complex in Orlando.

Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, Orlando’s first lifestyle, retail and entertainment center, proves it’s still the place to be with even more exciting retail and entertainment venues announced this year. Located at the north end of International Drive, a strip famous for its seemingly endless array of shopping, dining and entertainment options, Festival Bay Mall at International Drive stands out from the rest thanks to its one-of-a-kind shopping experience that provides fun for all ages. The past year has seen a change in management, the announcement of three hot new women’s apparel, accessories and shoe stores, and ground breaking on the world’s first Surfpark, all of which add to the center’s appeal.

Last October, General Growth Properties, Inc., the country’s second largest shopping center owner, was awarded the management and leasing contract for Festival Bay Mall at International Drive. General Growth Properties is now responsible for overseeing the management, leasing, business development and marketing functions for the shopping center. “We are excited to have General Growth Properties, Inc. taking on the leasing and management of Festival Bay Mall at International Drive,” said Andrew J. Groveman, senior vice president of BT Orlando Limited Partnership and Belz Enterprises. “Their professionalism, team approach and expertise will ensure the center reaches its full potential.” Since taking over, the new management has been focusing on enhancing customer traffic, merchandise mix and retail sales. The team already has successfully attracted a variety of new tenants, and is working with Ron Jon Surf Shop and Surfparks to break ground in January on the world’s first Surfpark.

The Ron Jon Surfpark is scheduled to open in early 2007. The park has been designed specifically for surfing, body boarding and surfing lifestyle enthusiasts. It includes three surf pools to accommodate all levels of surfers
and body boarders – from beginners to professionals. The pools’ unique, patented technology allows wave configurations suitable for all riders, with wave offerings covering everything from perfectly peeling three-footers for the “groms,” up to overhead barrels for the pros. The Surfpark will be supported by a professionally staffed surf school offering group and private lessons to all age groups and skill levels.

"The ground breaking for Ron Jon Surfpark reinforces Festival Bay Mall at International Drive’s position as a unique lifestyle, retail and entertainment center,” said Groveman. “Ron Jon Surf Shop is one of our anchor tenants at the mall and we are very pleased they wanted to work with us and Surfparks to create this first-of-its- kind attraction.

“Interest in the Ron Jon Surfpark has continued growing since we unveiled the 3-D model last fall,” said Surfparks founder and CEO, Jamie Meiselman. “We now have more than 4,200 surfers on our reserve membership list and look forward to opening the world’s first Surfpark to such a passionate and appreciative audience.”

The 100,000-square-foot surfpark also will feature a fully-stocked Ron Jon pro shop with the newest in surfing wear and equipment, and a Ron Jon restaurant, offering pool-side dining for spellbound spectators and waveriders. Ample space and seating, including poolside corporate hospitality suites and party rooms, have been designed throughout the facility for up-close and unobstructed viewing of all the action – perfect for watching a world-class televised surf event or hosting a full-blown private event with up to 1,000 guests.

The heart of the Ron Jon Surfpark will be the Pro Surf Pool with its patented Wedge shape, Groundswell wave system and Versareef TM floor. The size of a football field, the Pro Surf Pool will have more than 1.5 million gallons of salinated water. It will generate up to six waves per minute with wave heights from five to eight feet and ride lengths from 60 to 100 yards. The computer-adjustable Versareef pool floor allows a nearly infinite variety of left-and rightbreaking wave shapes and includes pre-programmed bottom contours that mimic some of the best natural surf breaks in the world. As if the excitement of the Ron Jon Surpark was not enough, Festival Bay Mall at International Drive also will welcome three new women’s apparel, accessories and shoe stores to the lineup this summer.

Nine West is recognized as a total lifestyle brand by women around the world. It will offer not just footwear, but handbags, sportswear, eyewear, sunglasses, legwear, outerwear, jewelry, belts and hats. Inside the 7,500-square-foot store, shoppers will find the“must-have” looks as seen on the runways.

Kasper will join Nine West inside the front main mall entrance. In its more than 40-year history, the Kasper brand has become synonymous with quality and fit for professional women. The brand has a broad audience and a strong consumer following, due largely to its consistent and complimentary fit, high quality fabrics, and a design philosophy that interprets fashion trends in an understandable, wearable way. This store will offer effortless two-piece and three-piece suits, career separates, dresses and wardrobe essentials in 3,500 square feet of space. Also arriving at Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, Jones New York offers impeccably designed clothing and accessories that define a woman’s wardrobe, and timeless, sophisticated designs that make women feel confident and powerful. This 9,600-square-foot store will be located next to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. Jones New York offers styles that can go from poolside to playground, from weekends at the shore to a weekday off. Rich fabrics, consistent fit and beautiful details make Jones New York a woman’s first choice – day, evening and special moments in between.

“The addition of these retail stores demonstrates the appeal of Festival Bay Mall at International Drive to high-end women’s apparel companies,” said Groveman. “The complex has unlimited potential thanks to its convenient location near residential and tourist areas. Its unique concept as a lifestyle center keeps residents and tourists coming back for the total experience.”

For leasing information at Festival Bay Mall at International Drive, call 1-800-481-1944.