May 25–WINDSOR — Water Valley Developer Martin Lind is at it again, this time with a $500 million retail, entertainment and lifestyle center in Loveland south of The Ranch.

Lind's Water Valley Land Co. and Stellar Development announced the mixed-use project Wednesday.

Developers will name the 90-acre project Brands at the Ranch, a play off the nearby The Ranch Events Complex, which is home to the Budweiser Events Center.

"Brands at the Ranch will make a significant impact on the northern Colorado area," said Lind, a Windsor resident, in a news release from Water Valley. "The uniqueness of the development will bring visitors from across the region."

The entirety of the land is within Loveland city limits northwest of the Crossroads Boulevard and Fairgrounds Avenue.

Construction is slated to begin in 2017 with a grand opening for phase one in fall 2018.

In recent years, Lind has announced plans for the RainDance Golf Course, the expansion of the Water Valley residential area in Windsor and has worked with the town of Windsor to secure the $109.9 million PeliGrande Resort and Windsor Conference Center as part of the state Regional Tourism Act. The Brands project will include a large retail space, a 300-room full-service hotel, a 110-room hotel, 12-screen luxury IMAX theater, 825 multi-family apartments, restaurants, a regional ice center and an Olympic pool, according to the release.

"Retailers have shown a tremendous amount of interest in Brands at the Ranch right out of the gate," said Steve Graham, development and leasing consultant, in the release. "We are going to be bringing first-to-market shops and restaurants that complement existing amenities."

Among those retailers to show interest in the project are Galaxy Theatres, Schussler Creative restaurants concepts Winter Wonderland and Zi and Tucanos Brazilian Grill.

Details surrounding the 425,000 square feet of retail space were unveiled at the International Council of Shopping Centers annual trade show Tuesday in Las Vegas.

"I've been coming to this show for probably 10 years with various developers," Developer Spokesman Dave Claflin said. "You can usually tell when a project has some significant interest. But I've never seen actual letters of intent signed at the show. It's kind of unprecedented the number of retailers that just heard of this concept and said, 'I want in. Sign me up.'"

The Winter Wonderland restaurant attraction — developed by Schussler Creative's Steve Schussler, who has worked with the town of Windsor on the planned PeliGrande Resort and Windsor Conference Center — will feature 350 restaurant seats and 2,000 square feet of retail. The attraction will total 13,500 square feet. The center will include a large interior and feature Colorado and Southwestern-style architecture.

"Winter Wonderland brings the magic of winter to any climate, warm or cold, from sunny Southern California to exotic locations around the world," the release reported.

The Zi Imperial Kitchen will feature Chinese, Japanese and Korean fusion cuisine.

"The excitement that this project has generated right out of the gate demonstrates the incredible development opportunities that exist in the Loveland area," said Cecil Gutierrez, mayor of Loveland, in the release. "This will bring added tax revenue and jobs to a fast-growing area of the state."

At this time, the developer does not have a projected sales tax contribution to the region but it is "expected to be significant," Claflin said.

Windsor Mayor Kristie Melendez and Director of Economic Development Stacy Johnson attended the convention to promote development in the Windsor area.

Despite Schussler's work on the PeliGrande resort in neighboring Water Valley, Johnson said she thinks the project will help elevate the region as a whole rather than offer competition.

"I think it's going to be a positive impact for all of us," she said. "I think each concept is unique in its own right."

A project of this size will help draw more attention to the region and, with it, bring about more retail development along the Interstate 25 corridor, she said.

"(One project) will hopefully trigger additional retail opportunities all the down through the corridor," Johnson said. "I think it's good for the region."