Augusta Mall owners want to breathe fresh air into the nearly 30-year-old facility, and they're hoping the open air will do it.

Officials with General Growth Properties Inc. announced Wednesday a massive renovation plan that will create a 135,000-square-foot "lifestyle village" out of vacant sections of the old Macy's store and adjoining parking lot.

General Growth officials said Augusta's retail market has matured to the point where it is ready for the upscale retail experience more commonly found in larger cities.

"This is a rapidly changing market with tremendous growth," said Dan Pascale, General Growth's vice president of development.

Earlier this year, Dallas-based developer MGHerring announced plans for a similar, open-air lifestyle center on 132 acres near Interstate 20 and River Watch Parkway. That project, an 800,000-square-foot Belk- and Dillard's-anchored retail zone, also will feature a pedestrian-friendly layout and specialty shops.

Construction on the Augusta Mall project, which will likely cost tens of millions of dollars, will likely begin early next year with a grand opening scheduled for summer 2007.

The interior of the 1.1 million-square-foot mall will also be renovated to include a new food court, flooring, a children's play area and family restrooms.

Officials did not disclose a cost but said the project is similar in size and scope to the $65 million renovation project under way in Atlanta's Cumberland Mall.

Interior improvements will account for about 25 percent of the total budget, Mr. Pascale said. The renovation project, because it reconfigures existing space, will not result in new square footage or parking space, he said.

Once complete, the Macy's furniture store will occupy about 50,000 square feet on the lower level, down from its current 75,000 square feet.

Augusta Mall General Manager Linda Hardin would not disclose the names of retailers and restaurants that she and other officials have been in discussions with for the past year.

There is room in the project for a "big box" store, but about 80,000 square feet would be marketed to retailers that will likely target middle-age shoppers in the upper-income range.

"Most of the tenants will be retailers newly introduced to Augusta," Ms. Hardin said.

City Administrator Fred Russell said that from a job growth and sales tax revenue standpoint, it's reassuring that national retailers are interested in Augusta.

"We're excited about the potential," he said, adding that local residents seeking upscale boutiques and specialty stores sometimes drive to Atlanta to spend money.

Mall officials are hopeful that excitement created by the outdoor section will drive retail interest to the mall's interior.

"We're banking on that," Mr. Pascale said.

Augusta Mall has historically not released its occupancy rates, but a walk around the mall Wednesday showed at least 11 of the mall's about 130 storefronts are vacant.

Chicago-based General Growth Properties purchased Augusta Mall last year as part of its $12.6 billion acquisition of The Rouse Co. of Columbia, Md.

The company, the second-largest mall owner in the United States, owns 210 properties in 44 states. This year the company is spending $1.6 billion in redevelopment of its mall spaces, Mr. Pascale said.

Reach Tony Lombardo at (706) 823-3227 or tony.lombardo@augustachronicle.com.