### Onetime Plano Mall to Undergo Major Transformation
Like many malls across the country, The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano had become outdated. Now, the Plano City Council has approved plans for **Centennial**, the new mall owner, to begin demolition and pave the way for a reimagined mixed-use development. The project will replace more than a third of the mall with a dynamic space featuring residential units, retail, office spaces, a hotel, and restaurants.
Centennial plans to rename the development **The Bend**, which will include 800,000 square feet dedicated to retail, dining, and entertainment. The project will also introduce up to 965 residential units, a high-rise hotel, and a seven-story office building.
According to reports, despite significant investments by previous owners, the mall failed to attract enough shoppers and retailers to remain viable. If financing is secured, demolition is expected to begin later this year, with construction anticipated to take approximately three years. The project is slated for completion by 2028.
