The first expansion project at FASHION VALLEY was completed in 1981. The 15 million dollar renovation added Nordstrom, Neiman-Marcus, a bi-level retail wing and three parking garages. The mall now housed 1.3 million leasable square feet. It surpassed Carlsbad's PLAZA CAMINO REAL as the region's largest shopping complex. It held this distinction until MISSION VALLEY CENTER opened an expansion in 1983.