A New Reason to Visit Chandler Is Coming Soon

Here's What's Coming

If Chandler is already on your radar as a place to stay when you're in the Phoenix metro, here's a reason to move it higher up the list. Chandler Fashion Center — the city's flagship shopping and dining destination — just announced a major redevelopment that adds a genuinely compelling reason to spend more time in the area.

This isn't a paint-and-polish refresh. It's a full rethinking of the outdoor dining, entertainment, and community experience at one of the East Valley's most visited destinations — and for travelers staying at the Marriott Phoenix Chandler, it's all right on your doorstep.

What's Actually Happening at Chandler Fashion Center

Macerich, the developer behind the Fashion Center, is launching a major reinvention of the center's dining and entertainment district — the area on the south side of the property near the Harkins Theatres. The project begins in January 2026, with construction designed to keep disruption to shoppers at a minimum.

Here's what's coming:

→ New full-service restaurants and fast-casual concepts, with expanded patios built for all-season outdoor dining

→ Din Tai Fung — the internationally acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant celebrated for its handcrafted Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings — opening in 2027

→ Johnny Rockets — bringing its classic burgers and shake flavors to the food court in early 2026

→ Seafood City — a first-to-market Filipino grocery and restaurant experience featuring Pan-Asian cuisine, a full bakery, popular street foods, live seafood tanks, and a one-of-a-kind cook-to-order "catch-and-cook" setup

→ J.Crew Factory — adding men's, women's, and children's clothing to an already strong retail lineup

And the outdoor experience is getting a complete overhaul:

→ A remodeled lower-level lawn and event area built for live concerts, family gatherings, and community celebrations

→ An interactive splash pad by day that transforms into an illuminated water feature by night

→ New shaded retreats with fire pits, lounge seating, and refreshed landscaping throughout

Additional culinary brands are set to be announced in early 2026.

Why This Is Good News If You're Staying Nearby

For anyone staying at the Marriott Phoenix Chandler, the Fashion Center is already a natural extension of your stay — and what's coming makes it even more of a destination in its own right.

The center's retail lineup is already well worth a visit. Scheels opened there in September 2023. More recently, lifestyle brands like Vuori, TravisMathew, and gorjana have joined the mix. The redevelopment layers a polished dining and entertainment district on top of that foundation.

What that looks like in practice:

→ A team dinner at a full-service restaurant without the hassle of driving across town

→ A casual evening walk through a renovated outdoor event space after a long day of meetings

→ A genuine weekend experience — shopping, dining, live events — without needing to leave the area

The Fashion Center is entering its 25th year of operations. Rather than coasting on that history, the redevelopment makes clear this is a destination that's actively investing in what modern travelers and locals actually want.

Everything You Need Is Close By

One of the underrated advantages of Chandler as a base — whether you're in town for a conference, a project, or a leisure trip — is how much is within reach without a long drive.

The Fashion Center redevelopment adds to an already solid picture:

→ Walkable dining options across a range of cuisines and price points

→ Entertainment that doesn't require planning ahead — live events, a splash pad, outdoor spaces designed for spontaneous use

→ Retail that covers everything from outdoor gear to high-end fashion to weekly grocery needs, with Seafood City bringing something genuinely unique to the Valley

For weekly business travelers especially, having a dynamic destination nearby makes a real difference to how a work trip feels. Chandler gives you a place to unwind that doesn't feel like a compromise.

The Bottom Line

Chandler has always been an underrated base in the Phoenix metro — convenient, well-connected, and consistently improving. The Fashion Center redevelopment makes that case stronger than ever. Better dining, a reinvented outdoor experience, and internationally recognized brands on the way — all minutes from the Marriott Phoenix Chandler. If you've been treating Chandler as just a stopover, 2026 and 2027 are a good time to reconsider. Book Now