Southern Lion
Miles-McClellan Delivers Value and Vision in 90,000 SF Retail Hub Transformation
The Plan
Serving as the Construction Manager at Risk, Miles-McClellan transformed a massive 90,000-square-foot former Sears building into the new Southern Lion retail venue. Designed to support local commerce, the newly renovated space now hosts 300 merchant booths alongside high-end amenities like a café, conference spaces, and showroom design houses.
The success of this project was rooted in a rigorous, year-long pre-construction effort. Our team led extensive constructability reviews that resulted in 20 beneficial floor plan changes, and our deep dive into value engineering identified $532,000 in potential cost savings (with the owner accepting nearly $400,000 of those savings). Beyond the build itself, Miles-McClellan assisted with a difficult permitting process—even helping to review drawings and secure permits for a temporary store so the client could operate while the main project was underway. Ultimately, our team mitigated extensive existing building issues and managed strict mall and State Department of Labor requirements to deliver both floors of the venue on time and on budget.
Working with Miles-McClellan Construction has been an absolute privilege. Their commitment to excellence was evident from the very start. I am genuinely grateful for the attentive and responsive service they provided throughout our project at the historic Sears Building. From the beginning, every interaction made me feel like a valued partner.Sonja Nichols, Southern Lion at the Pineville Mall
