Zara’s new 38,000 SF location at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now expected to open in February 2027, according to employees of the current store at the mall.
The international fashion retailer is relocating from its current space on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing to the former Gap and Gap Kids storefront on the upper level. The new store will also occupy the space directly beneath it, making it Zara’s first two-level location in Maryland.
Maryland Newsletters reports that Zara is spending approximately $6.56 million to build out the new location, according to a permit issued earlier this summer. A separate permit valued at more than $500,000 was previously issued for the project.
At approximately 38,000 SF, the larger and more modern store will provide additional space for Zara’s men’s, women’s and children’s collections while keeping the retailer in one of the mall’s highest-traffic areas. The project follows a similar expansion at Tysons Corner Center in Northern Virginia, where Zara also took over former Gap and Gap Kids spaces to open a two-level store earlier this summer.
Gap and Gap Kids permanently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in July 2025 after operating there for more than two decades. Gap Inc. continues to operate Montgomery County stores at Clarksburg Premium Outlets, Pike & Rose in North Bethesda and The Collection at Chevy Chase.
Founded in Spain in 1974, Zara is part of the Inditex Group and has grown into one of the world’s largest fashion retailers. The brand is known for frequently refreshing its collections with trend-driven apparel. Zara will continue operating from its current Montgomery Mall location while construction on the new store is completed.
