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Glimcher, Ovitz to bring Hollywood to Columbus

By Debra Hazel

The ultimate Hollywood deal maker has found a new arena: the shopping center industry. Former film industry superagent Michael Ovitz has joined forces with Columbus, Ohio-based Glimcher Realty Trust to develop the Mall at Polaris, at the Polaris Interchange in Columbus, Ohio.

The partnership marks Mr. Ovitz' entry into the shopping center business. As head of talent management agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Mr. Ovitz became known for "packaging" performers, writers and director on the same film, in effect serving as a producer. Film publications regularly referred to him as the most powerful man in Hollywood.

Mr. Ovitz left CAA in 1995 to become president of The Walt Disney Co., Burbank, Calif. But his stint was short-lived, ending in December 1996 with a golden parachute worth a reported $100 million. Since that time, he has kept a relatively low profile.

Mr. Ovitz and Herbert Glimcher, Glimcher Realty's chairman, have been friends for more than 20 years, and had been searching for a way to work together for some time, Michael Glimcher senior vice president, leasing, and son of Herbert told SCT's weekly fax newsletter, SCT Xtra.

"We've been talking about doing various things with him for the last 10 years," Michael Glimcher said. "This seemed to be a good time both for him and for us."

Herbert Glimcher and Mr. Ovitz met through Mr. Glimcher's brother Arnold Glimcher, a New York art dealer and film producer/director ("Just Cause," "The Mambo Kings," "Gorillas in the Mist").

The two will build a 1.5 million-square-foot upscale mall with six anchors including Lord & Taylor (its first in Ohio), Kaufmann's (that chain's first store in Columbus) and a Sony-Loew's 22-screen theater.

Glimcher Realty has also confirmed that it is in negotiations with Virgin Megastore, and other chains that are new to the Columbus area.

"The department store anchors we have announced today, the other anchors that will follow shortly, and the additional in-line tenants we will announce later will help us deliver the most fun and excitement possible from the fashion mall concept," said Herbert Glimcher in a press release.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Ovitz will oversee the mall's sports/entertainment complex, which will be adjacent to the theaters.

Mr. Ovitz also will work on the entertainment elements in Glimcher's upcoming MetroMall value megamalls in Elizabeth, N.J., and Carson, Calif. Development near the latter location, said The Wall Street Journal, could also include an NFL stadium.

At presstime, Mr. Ovitz was traveling and could not be reached for comment.

The two-level Polaris center, scheduled to open in 2000, will be designed by David Rockwell and K.A. Architecture. The Mall at Polaris will be located at the northwest quadrant of Polaris Parkway and Interstate 71, across from a 700,000-square-foot community center being developed by Glimcher Realty.