EPPING — Construction is well under way on the second phase of the Brickyard Square shopping center, but it won’t include a clock tower that some town officials found attractive in the original proposal.

The clock tower at one end of the main retail building was yanked when Waterstone Retail Development changed its design plan to accommodate new retailers signing lease agreements for the 271,844-square-foot shopping center at the junction of routes 101 and 125.

One clock tower was added to the top of a Market Basket store — the first to open in the plaza in 2010 — and plans originally called for a second tower to be built on an unnamed 22,814-square-foot store at the opposite end of the retail strip. However, there’s no room for a clock tower now because the store is being subdivided into two smaller retailers, Doug Richardson, director of development for Waterstone, told the planning board at a recent meeting.

Richardson said the clock tower had to be removed due to sign requirements for the other tenants, which have not yet been named.

Selectman Bob Jordan, who represents selectmen on the planning board, expressed disappointment in the clock tower removal.

“One of the outstanding points and features everybody liked was the clock tower,” he said, adding that the tower gave the shopping center a “village feel.”

The tower atop Market Basket still has no clock face and it’s not clear whether the store plans to add one in the future.

The planning board approved the architectural changes even without the second tower.

“I think they’ll do a good job regardless,” said Joe Foley, planning board chairman.

Work has also begun on a 17,502-square-foot Michaels arts and craft store and a new 12-screen movie theater operated by O’Neil Cinemas of Londonderry. The theater is slated to open in September. A 28,000-square-foot retail building featuring several stores and restaurants is under construction as well near the entrance to the plaza.

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