Cherry Creek North clothier Andrisen Morton Women’s is launching an ambitious $1 million renovation aimed at keeping the luxury retailer ahead of changes in the high-end shopping district.
The renovation of the location at East Second Avenue and St. Paul Street – a sister store to the Andrisen Morton men’s store up the street – will include both an exterior revamp and an interior overhaul that will add new sections and expand others. The move is partly a response to the upcoming entrance of Nordstrom into the nearby Cherry Creek mall, co-owner Dave Morton said.
“If you’re going to be independent and you’re going to compete with the big guys, you have to invest,” said Morton, who founded Andrisen Morton with Craig Andrisen in 1978.
Denver’s Cherry Creek North boutique shopping district has seen a recent wave of redevelopment and speculation, partly triggered by the success of developer Randy Nichols’ Clayton Lane project. A portion of the Clayton Lane project sold for $97 million earlier this year.
Christian Anschutz’s Western Development Group is constructing a $100 million condo and retail development in the district, and out-of-state investment groups have purchased at least two smaller retail parcels in the area.
Morton acknowledges that the renovation of Andrisen Morton has been a long time coming, but the impending presence of Nordstrom has upped the ante. Nordstrom will open in the mall’s former Lord & Taylor site Oct. 19.
The high-end department store chain, known as much for its expansive shoe department as its obsession with service, is expected to bring shoppers – who had previously traveled to Park Meadows and Flatiron Crossing malls to visit the store – back to Cherry Creek.
Nordstrom is “really good at what they do and are going to drive a lot more people into Cherry Creek,” Morton said. “Our challenge will be to get our fair share of those new customers by offering a world-class shopping experience.”
Morton and Andrisen purchased upscale women’s clothing store Auer’s and converted it to Andrisen Morton Women’s in 2003. The two stores act as an anchor for the high-end shopping district, offering lines by bold-name designers including Oscar de La Renta, Carolina Herrera, Temperley London, Roberto Cavalli and Catherine Malandrino.
About a quarter of the renovation budget will be committed to updating the exterior of the former office building with stucco, awnings and retail glass that will allow a better view of store displays.
Inside, the store will be completely redone with new carpeting, polished tile and wood flooring. The renovated store will have 1,400 square feet devoted to shoes, handbags and accessories, and updated apparel and bridal sections.
The store will remain open during renovations, which are expected to be completed by late spring.
Christina Brickley, interim chief executive of the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District, said the renovation bodes well: “We see their remodel and their reinvestment in the district as a sign of commitment to the area.”
She predicted that the move by one of the district’s largest independent retailers could prompt similar reinvestments by other property owners.
“Its sends a message to the others that if one of the biggest anchors in the area is reinvesting, maybe they should too. It’s competitive over here. There’s a great independent spirit fueled by neighbors raising the bar for each other,” she said.
The district as a whole is set for an update as part of a $18 million renovation approved by merchants and property owners earlier this month.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-954-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
