A rendering of the Fashion District Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA—The long-awaited opening of the approximately 900,000-square-foot Fashion District Philadelphia is at hand.

A number of special events are planned for later today to celebrate the grand opening of the project developed by joint venture partners PREIT and Macerich.

The Fashion District will launch with an 11:30 a.m. press conference featuring Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, PREIT CEO Joseph Coradino, Macerich CEO Tom O'Hern and Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO Julie Coker Graham.

Spanning three city blocks, the District will feature a  lineup of dynamic tenants that serve the evolving consumer in a metropolitan setting. From a variety of retailers to multiple dining concepts, dynamic entertainment for children and adults alike, ongoing community events and programs, and several unique features—including art installations and local businesses—the offerings at The District are designed to maximize day-to-night appeal and deliver an unforgettable experience, the joint venture partners state in a press announcement. They note that new additions to the development will be announced later this year and in 2020.

"This is a very exciting day for us and one that we, as Philadelphians, have been looking forward to for 16 years since we acquired the first piece of what is now Fashion District and we are proud to take part in the Market East revolution," said Joseph F. Coradino, CEO of PREIT. "With the opening of The District as a new Philadelphia destination, Market East will be revitalized and emerge as a robust retail and entertainment district in Philadelphia. Beyond this, The District will also truly redefine the national consumer experience and the future of retail , simultaneously changing the face of PREIT's portfolio."

Macerich CEO Tom O'Hern says the mix of uses at the Fashion District differentiates the property from its competition. "This experience-forward project is a model for what the best retail properties all over the country are becoming: more things for more people, and all in an unbeatable, heart-of-everything location," O'Hern says. "This has long been the Macerich philosophy, and we are proud to be part of this exceptional project geared to residents, commuters and the millions of people who visit Center City each year."

Among some of the special events planned in conjunction with the Fashion District Philadelphia's opening include: "Explore the District" from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today—an after-work happy hour to shop, sip and explore the complex. Entertainment will be provided by the Philadelphia String Quartet with DJ.

Other programming that begins today include a live fashion show on Thursday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a Taste the District offering today and on Friday from noon to 2 p.m.

Last month, the Fashion District announced more than two dozen new tenants.

Previously announced tenants include City Winery, a culinary and cultural wine experience offering fine dining, classes, concerts, and private events; a third-floor entertainment zone that includes AMC Theatres and Round 1; Market Eats, a grab-and-go market accessible to SEPTA's Jefferson Station; and several in-demand retail brands including Nike, H&M, Samsonite, Sunglass Hut, Columbia, Levi's, ULTA Beauty, and others – joining Burlington and Century 21 Department Store.