First look: Galleria to get major upgrade

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Thirty million people pass through the Galleria mall every year, and half are tourists, making it the number one tourist destination in Houston.

Director of marking Andrew Huang said, ""We want to make sure we represent Houston very well and continue to provide the luxury environment for our shoppers."

Shoppers are getting a big gift -- $250 million in upgrades. First thing, starting this spring -- complete renovations on both floors of Galleria One.

"So there's going to be new flooring, all white marble with black granite accents, upgraded lighting," Huang said.

Most of the work will be done at night and stores will be open as usual so your shopping won't be interrupted, but your drive around the mall might be.

"We can't interrupt the roads here on Westheimer but we've got to bring stuff in and take stuff out," explained project manager Austin Grubbs.

By spring 2016, Saks will relocate to a state of the art 200,000 square foot building. And you'll have more choices on where to shop, joining the Galleria's 80 high-end stores are Italian lingerie boutique La Perla and luxury shoe store Tod's, with room for many more.

The first new tenants are due to move in by November.