New Orleans hails outlet shopping, dining transformation near cruise terminalsNew Orleans hails outlet shopping, dining transformation near cruise terminals

The fully redeveloped area, now called The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, is located along the Mississippi River adjacent to the port's Julia Street and Erato Street cruise terminals.

Board members attended the opening ceremonies Thursday and toured the fully redeveloped property, which expanded the center’s footprint by approximately 50,000 square feet to nearly 250,000 square feet. The property offers 75 popular national brands and local favorites.

'This heralded transformation into The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk continues the port and city’s revitalization of riverfront properties,' said port president and CEO Gary LaGrange. The facility, he added, includes 'first-class dining and entertainment venues' that add value to the port’s cruise division, which handled a record 987,860 cruise passengers in 2013.

'The reinvented Riverwalk will greatly enhance the cruising experience from the Port of New Orleans,' LaGrange said.

New entrances offer easy access from both of the port’s cruise terminals.

In addition to offering an outlet center in an unusual downtown setting, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is also the first location in the region for a number of tenants, including Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Coach Men’s Factory Store and Tommy Bahama Outlet. Joining Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio as an anchor are Coach/Coach Men’s Factory Store and Forever 21.

Some brands returning to the center include Café du Monde, Chico’s Outlet, Fat Tuesday, Gap Factory Store, Loft Outlet, Mardi Gras Masquerade and The Fudgery. Other retailers are GUESS Factory Store, The PUMA Store, Charlotte Russe, Lucky Brand, Hartstrings Kids Apparel Center and Kenneth Cole.

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk is a port tenant and port officials worked closely with the Hilton Riverside to negotiate lease terms that allowed the project to move forward.