Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th to Bring Dash of Class to the South Metro

Hello, luxury shopping: The South Metro will soon get an infusion of Prada, Pucci, Fendi, and friends.

Paragon Outlet Partners announced on Monday that Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th—a discount luxury retailer—will anchor a 28,000-square-foot space in an upscale outlet mall planned for Eagan.

Off 5th is just one of roughly 100 upscale outlets that will likely fill the 400,000-square-foot outlet mall, according to a press release issued by Paragon. The Baltimore, Md.-based company plans to begin construction of the mall earlier in 2013, after the city of Eagan wraps up infrastructure improvements in the area. The mall opening will likely occur sometime in late 2014.

"We are thrilled Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th will open an anchor store at Paragon Outlets Twin Cities at Eagan," Paragon Outlet Partners Principal Nicholas King wrote in the press release. "As we create a dominant outlet center in the Twin Cities market, the addition of Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th represents our steadfast commitment to offer customers convenient access to a collection of the world's most iconic brands at dramatic savings."

Eagan Community Development Director Jon Hohenstein, reached for comment earlier this week, called the announcement "very good news".

Paragon's outlet mall project is expected to bring as many as 400 construction jobs to the community, as well as roughly 1,500 to 2,000 permanent retail positions. The soon-to-be construction mall will likely be located on a 25-acre site off Cedar Avenue  and Hwy. 13 in southern Eagan.

The Eagan City Council gave the outlet mall project preliminary approval earlier this month. Final approvals—which are largely a formality—are expected to come later in December.

Click here to read more about the Paragon outlet mall project.