I've seen the lights on (Saks) Fifth Avenue

While the Mall at University Town Center is still much of a construction zone, at least part of it has turned into some nice drive-by entertainment.

Saks Fifth Avenue's building will have a nighttime glow and light show as its building is projected with white, yellow and blue hues. I drove by the site Sunday night and captured it in the video below:

It's a much better sight in person, and the light show won't be relegated to Saks Fifth Avenue. The rest of the mall is expected to have blueish-purple lights beaming through its louvered-glass ceiling.

The flagship store in New York City is known to have 3D Christmas light shows on the exterior of its store. I'd have to wonder if that would be possible here, too.

The lighting, design and glass treatment for the Mall at UTC suddenly makes the area seem much more cosmopolitan.

The mall, and Saks, is expected to open Oct. 16.

Saks Fifth restaurant Sophie's now hiring for Mall at UTC

Sophie's, shown in this rendering in Chicago, will open
in the Mall at UTC in October. Photo Provided

Swanky restaurant Sophie's is now hiring for top chefs and management at the Mall at University Town Center in University Park.

Sophie's is the namesake of the 2,600-square-foot dining room at the Saks Fifth Avenue set to open inside the mall on Oct. 16.

Sophie's is operated by Centerplate, which oversees hospitality, team stores and catering services at a wide range of arenas, theaters and stadiums. This will be the only second Sophie's in the world, after Saks opens its first one in the seventh floor of a Saks Fifth in Chicago this year.


Sophie's is hiring for a general manager, assistant general manager, executive chef and executive sous chef so far.

Here is some more info on Sophie's from colleague Sabrina Rocco's March 5 story:

The name salutes American designer Sophie Gimbel, who presided over couture at Saks for more than 40 years. When the world focused on fashion coming from Europe, Gimbal embraced her American style. "I like my wardrobe simple, correct, perfect in every detail," she is quoted as saying.
Sophie's menu and design is modeled after the woman herself: elegant, contemporary, sleek.
The 2,600-square-foot
space will feature an indoor, 60-seat dining room and bar as well as a 60-seat outdoor terrace for dining, lounging and a second bar. The color palette will be centered around black and white with Florida colors incorporated throughout.
Executive Chef Alex Reyes, who is responsible for Sophie's overall culinary direction, will work closely with a chef hired for the Sarasota restaurant. The menu will feature Sophie's signature salads, appetizers and drinks but will skew closer to flavors found in Florida.

To apply, visit hcareers.com.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/03/05/5027691/saks-at-mall-at-university-town.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/03/05/5027691/saks-at-mall-at-university-town.html#storylink=cpy