Aventura Mall
Encyclopedia
The Aventura Mall is an upscale super-regional shopping mall
in Aventura
, Florida
, a northern suburb
of Miami. It is the largest conventional shopping mall in Florida
, having a gross leasable area
of 2700000 square feet (250,838.2 m²), and is the fifth largest shopping center in the United States. The mall has three floors of retail space, comprising 300 stores. In addition there is a food court with eighteen fast food eateries, as well as several chains and other restaurants at the mall's entrance.
The mall is currently anchored by Nordstrom
, Bloomingdale's
, J.C. Penney
, Macy's (in two separate locations), Sears, and AMC Aventura 24 Theatres
.
, led by partners Donny Soffer, Edward J. Lewis
and Ray Parello officially dedicated Aventura Mall. There would be four anchors in the original, 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²), complex: Lord and Taylor {the first operational store, which had opened January 31, 1983}, J.C. Penney
{opened April 28, 1983}, Sears {opened July 6, 1983} and Macy's
(the first in Florida; in a three story structure with Spanish architecture
which became the template for future Macy's in South Florida) {dedicated October 1, 1983}.
On board as an original investor in the project was mall-developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
. The mall was originally designed to accommodate a fifth anchor, and there was even a section of drywall in place where its mall entrance would be located.
Soon after its construction Soffer left Oxford. As part of the break-up of assets, Soffer's new firm, Turnberry Associates
assumed control of the Aventura Mall. In 1996 the DeBartolo Realty Corporation, which owned the minority interest once held by Edward J. DeBartolo, was acquired by Simon Property Group
.
In 1996, ground was broken for a major expansion of Aventura Mall. The addition, built onto the southeast end of the existing complex, consisted of a three-story atrium with an AMC Theatres
multiplex cinema
and restaurants at a new entrance. A rare two-story Rainforest Cafe
also opened, but was closed just a few years later and a Zara
clothing store took its space. Part of the new development were two three-story parking garages surrounding the new anchor stores' southeast facades.
Two of the original anchors, J.C. Penney and Lord and Taylor, were enlarged and two department stores were built to anchor the addition. A three-story Bloomingdale's came inline November 8, 1997, with the new southeast mall wing being dedicated in December. The mall's three-story Burdines opened August 1, 1999.
Burdines and Macy's were merged in early 2004 by their common parent, Federated Department Stores, to form Burdines-Macy's and a year later "simply" Macy's. Both locations at Aventura Mall were retained, with the original Macy's being devoted to Women's and Kids' Fashions, and the former Burdines location housing Men's and Home Furnishings departments. Lord & Taylor closed their store the same year as they withdrew from the Floridian market.
In July, 2005, Nordstrom
announced they would construct a store adjacent to the former Lord & Taylor, which would itself be demolished and rebuilt as additional mall retail space. As part of the pending Nordstrom wing expansion, the rest of the mall underwent a $20 million renovation in late-2006. The Nordstorm wing officially opened on February 15, 2008.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in Aventura
Aventura, Florida
Aventura is a planned, suburban city located in northeastern Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name is from the Spanish word for "adventure", and was named "Aventura" after one of the developers of the original group of condominiums in the area remarked to the others, "What an adventure this is...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, a northern suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Miami. It is the largest conventional shopping mall in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, having a gross leasable area
Gross leasable area
Gross leasable area in the retail development industry is a term applied to shopping malls, lifestyle centers, outlet malls and other retail centers to indicate the amount of floor space available to be rented...
of 2700000 square feet (250,838.2 m²), and is the fifth largest shopping center in the United States. The mall has three floors of retail space, comprising 300 stores. In addition there is a food court with eighteen fast food eateries, as well as several chains and other restaurants at the mall's entrance.
The mall is currently anchored by Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
, Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
, J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
, Macy's (in two separate locations), Sears, and AMC Aventura 24 Theatres
AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres , officially known as AMC Entertainment, Inc., is the second largest movie theater chain in North America with 5,325 screens, second only to Regal Entertainment Group, and one of the United States's four national cinema chains AMC Theatres (American Multi-Cinema), officially known as...
.
History
In April 1983, the Oxford Development CompanyOxford Development
Oxford Development Company is a real estate firm based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania providing real estate development, asset/property management, brokerage services, investment advisory services, and business operations...
, led by partners Donny Soffer, Edward J. Lewis
Edward J. Lewis
Edward J. "Eddie" Lewis was a Pittsburgh businessman, philanthropist, and real estate developer. After graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Lewis joined his father, Eugene Lebowitz, in several small real estate ventures, which quickly flourished into the...
and Ray Parello officially dedicated Aventura Mall. There would be four anchors in the original, 1200000 square feet (111,483.6 m²), complex: Lord and Taylor {the first operational store, which had opened January 31, 1983}, J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
{opened April 28, 1983}, Sears {opened July 6, 1983} and Macy's
Macy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(the first in Florida; in a three story structure with Spanish architecture
Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture
The Spanish Colonial Revival Style was a United States architectural stylistic movement that came about in the early 20th century, starting in California and Florida as a regional expression related to history, environment, and nostalgia...
On board as an original investor in the project was mall-developer Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
Edward John DeBartolo, Sr. was an American businessman who is widely regarded as the father of the American shopping mall...
. The mall was originally designed to accommodate a fifth anchor, and there was even a section of drywall in place where its mall entrance would be located.
Soon after its construction Soffer left Oxford. As part of the break-up of assets, Soffer's new firm, Turnberry Associates
Turnberry Associates
Turnberry Associates is an American real estate developer in residential, retail, hospitality and office. The company has developed more than $7 billion in commercial and residential property, including approximately of retail space, more than 7,000 condominium and condo-hotel residences, of...
assumed control of the Aventura Mall. In 1996 the DeBartolo Realty Corporation, which owned the minority interest once held by Edward J. DeBartolo, was acquired by Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group
Simon Property Group, Inc. is an American commercial real estate company, ranked #1 in the United States as the largest real estate investment trust. Simon is a fully integrated real estate company which operates from five retail real estate platforms: regional malls, Premium Outlet Centers, The...
.
In 1996, ground was broken for a major expansion of Aventura Mall. The addition, built onto the southeast end of the existing complex, consisted of a three-story atrium with an AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres , officially known as AMC Entertainment, Inc., is the second largest movie theater chain in North America with 5,325 screens, second only to Regal Entertainment Group, and one of the United States's four national cinema chains AMC Theatres (American Multi-Cinema), officially known as...
multiplex cinema
Multiplex (movie theater)
A multiplex is a movie theater complex with multiple screens, typically three or more. They are usually housed in a specially designed building. Sometimes, an existing venue undergoes a renovation where the existing auditoriums are split into smaller ones, or more auditoriums are added in an...
and restaurants at a new entrance. A rare two-story Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe is a themed restaurant chain owned by Landry's Restaurants, Inc. of Houston, Texas. It was founded by entrepreneur Steven Schussler. The first location opened in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota on February 3, 1994. In 1997, the chain consisted of only six restaurants,...
also opened, but was closed just a few years later and a Zara
Zara (clothing)
Zara is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer based in Arteixo, Galicia, and founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera. It is the flagship chain store of the Inditex group; the fashion group also owns brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Oysho, Uterqüe, Stradivarius and...
clothing store took its space. Part of the new development were two three-story parking garages surrounding the new anchor stores' southeast facades.
Two of the original anchors, J.C. Penney and Lord and Taylor, were enlarged and two department stores were built to anchor the addition. A three-story Bloomingdale's came inline November 8, 1997, with the new southeast mall wing being dedicated in December. The mall's three-story Burdines opened August 1, 1999.
Burdines and Macy's were merged in early 2004 by their common parent, Federated Department Stores, to form Burdines-Macy's and a year later "simply" Macy's. Both locations at Aventura Mall were retained, with the original Macy's being devoted to Women's and Kids' Fashions, and the former Burdines location housing Men's and Home Furnishings departments. Lord & Taylor closed their store the same year as they withdrew from the Floridian market.
In July, 2005, Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
announced they would construct a store adjacent to the former Lord & Taylor, which would itself be demolished and rebuilt as additional mall retail space. As part of the pending Nordstrom wing expansion, the rest of the mall underwent a $20 million renovation in late-2006. The Nordstorm wing officially opened on February 15, 2008.
Anchors
- Bloomingdale'sBloomingdale'sBloomingdale's is an American department store owned by Macy's, Inc. .Bloomingdale's started in 1861 when brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale started selling hoop-skirts in their Ladies Notions' Shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side...
; 3 floors, 253600 square feet (23,560.2 m²) - J.C. PenneyJ.C. PenneyJ. C. Penney Company, Inc. is a chain of American mid-range department stores based in Plano, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. The company operates 1,107 department stores in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. JCPenney also operates catalog sales merchant offices nationwide in many...
; 2 floors, 196684 square feet (18,272.5 m²) - Macy's
- Macy's Women's Store; 3 floors, 252000 square feet (23,411.6 m²)
- Macy's Men's, Home & Furniture Store; 3 floors, 225000 square feet (20,903.2 m²)
- NordstromNordstromNordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
; 2 floors, 167000 square feet (15,514.8 m²) - Sears; 2 floors, 191809 square feet (17,819.6 m²)