Watch: New drone footage of Empire Outlets construction

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Your weather is set to. You can change the location at any time. AccuWeather.com Quick Look Change your current location » View Full Weather Report Search Search SILive.com Account Sign In Close Sign in toSILive.com You are signed in as Edit Public Profile Sign Out Subscribe Staten Island Advance E-Edition Newsletters Apps Staten Island North Shore Watch: New drone footage of Empire Outlets construction Comment Posted on September 1, 2017 at 6:37 AM See Empire Outlets' construction from view of a drone By Tracey Porpora Porpora@siadvance.com STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- After breaking ground last year, Empire Outlets "is moving full speed toward completion," said Joseph Ferrara, principal of BFC Partners, Empire Outlet's developer. The outlets, which will feature more than 100 designer retailers, a boutique hotel with a rooftop venue and a 1,250-space parking garage, is close to 70 percent leased and will open in March, said Ferrara. According to a spokesman for the project, the vast majority of the retail steel superstructure has been erected, and the facade has been installed on what is being referred to as building/wing E. "We are thrilled to see the future of the North Shore rising higher each day, and shoppers across the five boroughs are getting more excited than ever about the city's first premium outlet center. Our unique mix of retail and dining means that when residents and tourists come to Empire Outlets, they will go where New York is going," Ferrara said. The project will be situated next to the New York Wheel, which will be one of the tallest observation wheels in the Western hemisphere and is expected to draw millions of riders per year. LEASES SIGNED The most recent lease signed with the Empire Outlets was Wasabi Steak & Sushi. That restaurant will join Empire Outlets' diverse group of dining options, including Shake Shack, Two Boots Pizza, Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, Nathan's Famous and MRKTPL-- a 12,723-square-foot artisanal food hall with a 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining space and more than 30 food concepts. Major retailers coming to the center include: Nordstrom Rack, H&M, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Francesca's, Starbucks, U.S. Polo, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, White House Black Market, Columbia Sportswear Company, Guess Factory Store, Wilsons Leather, G.H. Bass & Co., Lids, Obey Your Body, Innovation Luggage, Walgreens, Haagen Dazs, and Krispy Kreme. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK