Larson Helps Break Ground on East Hartford Outlet Shops

East Hartford—Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford) today joined officials from Horizon Group Properties Inc., the Town of East Hartford and other local and state dignitaries for a groundbreaking ceremony for The Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field.

The $105 million outlet-mall development in the shadow of Pratt & Whitney Co. is scheduled to be completed in November 2018. The first phase will include some 70 fashion and lifestyle retail stores occupying 282,000 square feet of leasable space.

“In addition to creating thousands of jobs and boosting tourism in this corner of East Hartford, The Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field will generate an estimated $223 million in state tax revenue over 20 years to the State of Connecticut,” Sen. Larson said. “We’re taking a huge step in the right direction with this project.”

“We’re thrilled to celebrate the groundbreaking of The Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field,” said Gary Skoien, Horizon President and CEO. “This project has been almost four years in the making, so it’s incredibly rewarding to finally see it come to fruition.”

“We are very excited to welcome Horizon Group Properties to East Hartford and eagerly anticipate the opening of The Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field,” said Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc. “This project will create a significant number of both permanent and construction jobs and we look forward to the many new amenities it will provide.”

The Outlet Shoppes at Rentschler Field will also reflect the property’s history with aviation-inspired architectural design features. It will feature a wide variety of dining options, including sit-down restaurants, a food pavilion, and several quick-eats shops, as well as a central courtyard with an outdoor fireplace and an engaging children’s play area. With a stellar store lineup and enhanced property features, the center will cater to thousands of locals, travelers and visitors from around the U.S., and the over 15,000 employees at Pratt & Whitney. The center will be easily accessible from both I-84 and I-91, located just three miles from the heart of downtown Hartford and will serve as a compelling tourism magnet and strong economic driver for the region.