Bend River Mall is now called Bend River Promenade.

The name change announced Friday is a symbol of the mall’s reconstruction from a shopping center to ”lifestyle center,” according to mall owner Rich Costanzo.

Costanzo also expects to announce the addition of a major tenant to the mall in about a month. He would not name the tenant pending finalization of the lease.

The partner and executive vice president of Southern California’s Rubin Pachulski Properties said that although the mall remodel has been under way since last summer, major construction will begin after the holidays. He expects all construction will conclude by early next summer.

The $6.5-million project will improve the parking lot, add new landscaping and building facades, heated sidewalks and a ”streetscape” that includes a road through the mall. The road is designed to create easier access to shops and smoother traffic flow. The road’s adjacent streetscape also will create places for customers to congregate and eat.

Macy’s also is expanding its store to 100,000 square feet, according to Rita Jones, Bend River Promenade on-site operations and promotions manager. Macy’s currently occupies 77,000 square feet.

The mall has 13 businesses today. Interior demolition on the south half of the mall is under way to make space for additional tenants, including the major tenant expected to be announced soon. Exterior retail space also is being constructed on the north and south ends of the mall.

Existing tenants will not see rent increases, Costanzo said. However, new tenants will have to pay higher rent for the new facility.

The name change is part of what Costanzo said is the ”evolution of retail” nationally.

”What was acceptable (in retail) 20 years ago is not acceptable today,” he said. ”Around the country, (mall owners) are going for a ‘lifestyle’ feel, with things like streetscapes. We saw this as an opportunity to follow these trends.”

One of the mall’s exterior restaurants, Izzy’s, also is being expanded and remodeled, ”bringing it to the new millennium,” Costanzo said.