Polo Ralph Lauren is the latest brand announced as part of Southdale’s major makeover. A sign went up on Monday at the Edina shopping center, between the new Kowalski’s Market and Kate Spade, which is also under construction.

Polo Ralph Lauren has two outlet stores in the Twin Cities, at the Albertville Premium Outlets and Twin Cities Premium Outlets in Eagan, but Southdale will be home to the iconic fashion brand’s only mainline store in the market. Longtime shoppers may remember when Polo Ralph Lauren had a store on Nicollet Mall. It closed in 2007, a precursor to the demise of designer retail in downtown Minneapolis. At the time, retail experts predicted Polo would soon reopen in preppier suburban environs, like the Galleria. Little did they know it would take 17 years, and Simon Property Group investing $400 million to turn Southdale into an upscale center.

The Polo store will be located in center court, where Tory Burch, Swarovski, Breitling and Lululemon have already opened. A luxury wing is under construction and expected to open in June featuring Gucci, Burberry, Max Mara, Moncler, Watches of Switzerland/Rolex, and three other soon-to-be-announced designer brands. Other early 2025 openings will include Kendra Scott, Marc Jacobs, Coach, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Tumi.

During a hardhat tour last week, Simon’s vice president of leasing Tom Hanchar added Athleta and Pandora to the list of newly signed retailers. Both have other stores in town—Athleta’s nearest location is just a couple of miles away from the mall at 50th & France, where Lululemon also has a shop. Hanchar dismissed the proximity saying it’s a different shopper. “Southdale is a regional draw, ” Hanchar said. With a Life Time fitness club connected to the mall, he added, activewear brands are a priority.

More store announcements are expected in the coming weeks and work will soon begin to replace skylights in center court. “We still have work to do,” Hanchar said. He expects that by December 2025, Southdale’s reinvention will be complete.