Top Shops

La Encantada Celebrates 20 Years as Region’s Luxury Retail Center

By April Bourie

The region may remember the excitement in 2004 when La Encantada was built in the scenic Catalina Foothills, with anchor stores such as Apple, Crate and Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Anthropologie and AJ’s Fine Foods.

With the opening of this outdoor marquis shopping destination, many felt Tucson had finally made it on the high-end retail scene. And now, La Encantada is celebrating two decades here.

“With breathtaking views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and being nestled among six major resorts, La Encantada set the standard for luxury shopping in the Sonoran Desert when it opened,” said Jill Harlow, La Encantada general manager.

The architecture and desert beauty of the shopping center pleased many early shoppers and continues to do so today. “La Encantada celebrates the splendor of Old-World Spanish traditions alongside modern sophistication,” said Harlow. “In addition, La Encantada is famous for delivering world-class, upscale brands that are exclusive to Tucson and first to market.” 

Through the years, La Encantada tenants have included Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Lucky Brand and Tiffany & Co. Today, new additions such as Drybar, Tecovas and Free People and more have joined the ranks.

La Encantada has also established many key events throughout the year that have long-attracted Tucson shoppers. Those include the Halloween Extravaganza, which offers trick-or-treating at various stores, and Enchanted Snowfall, which features falling “snow,” live entertainment and refreshments. Smaller events include art classes by the Southern Arizona Arts Guild and sales and special events offered by individual stores. 

In 2021, the company that originally developed and managed La Encantada decided to sell it. Jim Horvath, Town West Realty CEO, and Toby Horvath, Town West’s president, reached out to local companies HSL Properties and Iridius Capital to suggest they create an investment group to purchase the property.  The sale went through in late 2021.  “Jim and Toby were interested in purchasing the property to get it into local hands and make it the best it could be for the local community,” said      Harlow. 

Today, Town West is responsible for positioning and marketing the center as well as filling any retail space that becomes available. This strategy includes bringing more first-to-market retailers to the center. 

Since taking over management, Town West has been working on a “phased refresh” for the property, according to Harlow.  “We have brought in many new tenants and have worked to help existing retailers expand.  There is more excitement to come.”

“We have been able to bring in many new tenants to La Encantada that are unique to Tucson securing our position as the premier shopping experience in the foothills and Tucson,” said Jim Horvath.  

More new coveted stores that recently opened or are in the works at the center include Alo Yoga, a yoga clothing store for men and women; Evereve, a women’s clothing store for elevated, everyday style and Gorjana, a women’s jewelry store.

“There have been many changes over the years, but with those changes, the integrity of the property has always remained the same through the years,” said Marc McLaughlin, La Encantada’s director of operations who has been with La Encantada since it opened. “I think we are in the best phase now with the new ownership group and the recent additions to the property.  It’s an exciting time to be at La Encantada.”

Moving forward, the center would like to host more large events; especially after some dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “Since COVID, the event landscape has changed, and many events like ‘The Event’ with the Boys and Girls Club didn’t make a comeback. La Encantada hopes to add more of these one-of-a-kind events in the future that draw local interest and crowds,” said Harlow. 

Added Horvath: “We continue to work on repositioning the property to provide the best experience for all Tucsonans for dining and shopping.  The future is very bright for La Encantada. We have more tenants wanting to be a part of what we are building than we have space available.”