Florida's Largest Shopping Centers
The St. Johns Town Center may dominate Jacksonville's retail sector but how does it compare in size with similar developments across the state? Here is a list ranking Florida's ten largest shopping centers by square footage.
Rank -- Mall Name (City) -- Square Footage -- Year Completed
1. Aventura Mall (Aventura, FL) -- 2.70 million square feet -- 1983
This suburban Miami retail epicenter is the largest conventional shopping mall in Florida and the third largest in the country. Containing 300 retailers spread across three levels, Aventura is anchored by Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, JCPenney, two Macy's, Sears, and AMC Aventura 24 Theatres. Aventura Mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and is now managed by Turnberry Associates.
2. Sawgrass Mills (Sunrise, FL) -- 2.38 million square feet -- 1990
With 350 stores, this Broward county attraction is the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the country. Originally built by the now defunct Mills Corporation, it's also the 7th largest mall in the country. Today, with anchors such as Off 5th, JCPenney Outlet, Super Target, and Last Call! Neiman Marcus, the center is operated by the Simon Property Group.
3. The Florida Mall (Orlando, FL) -- 1.85 million square feet -- 1986
The Florida Mall is one of the largest single-story malls in the country and the largest shopping center in Central Florida. Owned by the Simon Property Group, the mall is anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sears. The mall also contains The Florida Hotel and Conference Center, which has over 500 hotel rooms and suites.
4. Town Center at Boca Raton (Boca Raton, FL) -- 1.50 million square feet -- 1980
South Florida's second largest conventional shopping mall is home to over 200 retailers and anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sears. In recent years, the Terrace at Town Center, a mixed-use lifestyle center addition between Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom has been completed. The mall is owned by the Simon Property Group.
5. Dadeland Mall (Kendall, FL) -- 1.49 million square feet -- 1962
This 185-store Miami-Dade County mall was established as an open-air center in 1962. It attained notoriety as the site of a 1979 drug-related shooting spree, which occurred during Miami's 20-year "Cocaine Cowboys" era. It is now owned by the Simon Property Group and has expanded and adapted to modernity to become one of Florida's largest upscale shopping centers. Today, the mall is anchored by JCPenney, two Macy's stores, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and includes a covered walkway through its parking lot to the nearest Metrorail (heavy rail transit) station.
6. Dolphin Mall (Sweetwater, FL) -- 1.40 million square feet -- 2001
A new kid on the block of South Florida's overcrowded mall market, Dolphin Mall features over 240 retail outlets and name-brand discounters as anchors. Completed in 2001, the shopping center is owned by Taubman Centers. Anchors include Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Burlington Coat Factory, Cobb Dolphin 19 Cinemas, Forever XXI, Group USA, Marshalls HomeGoods, Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center, OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy, Ross Dress for Less, Sam Ash Music, and The Sports Authority.
7. The Gardens Mall (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) -- 1.40 million square feet -- 1988
With Macy's, Sears, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue as anchors, and 160 retail stores, this mall has its own interchange that provides it with direct access to and from Interstate 95. It is owned by The Forbes Company.
8. Regency Square Mall (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.39 million square feet -- 1967
Constructed at the expense of sand dunes in 1967, this shopping center is the largest in North Florida. Its 1981 poaching of Sears triggered the collapse of the department store era in downtown Jacksonville. Now owned by General Growth Properties, Regency Square Mall contains over 100 retailers and is anchored by Belk, Dillard's Clearance Center, JCPenney, and Sears.
9. St. Johns Town Center (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.33 million square feet -- 2005
Since coming online in 2005, St. Johns Town Center has quickly become the apple of Jacksonville's eye. Owned by the Simon Property Group and Ben Carter Properties, its anchors include Dillard's, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Ashley Furniture. With over 100 stores, many of whom used the development as an entry into the Jacksonville market, the lifestyle center is in the midst of another expansion which will include Nordstrom.
10. The Mall at Wellington Green (Wellington, FL) -- 1.27 million square feet -- 2001
Taubman Centers' The Mall at Wellington Green is the latest major retail center to open in Palm Beach County. The mall features Macy's, Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom, City Furniture, Ashley Furniture Home Store, and La-Z-Boy Furniture galleries. In addition, the mall has over 170 stores and eateries.
Other Notable Shopping Centers
Who's the largest doesn't always equate with who's the best. For example, Regency is larger than St. Johns Town Center, but has struggled to take advantage of its girth. Here is a short list of other notable shopping centers across the state, along with the amount of retail square footage these developments bring to the table.
Westfield Countryside (Clearwater, FL) -- 1.21 million square feet -- 1975
Gulf Coast Town Center (Fort Myers, FL) -- 1.24 million square feet -- 2005
International Plaza (Tampa, FL) -- 1.20 million square feet -- 2001
Coconut Point (Estero, FL) -- 1.20 million square feet -- 2007
The Mall at Millenia (Orlando, FL) -- 1.12 million square feet -- 2002
Seminole Towne Center (Sanford, FL) -- 1.14 million square feet -- 1995
The Avenues (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.12 million square feet -- 1990
Westfield Brandon (Brandon, FL) -- 1.10 million square feet -- 1995
WestShore Plaza (Tampa, FL) -- 1.06 million square feet -- 1967
Governor's Square (Tallahassee, FL) -- 1.02 million square feet -- 1979
Orange Park Mall (Orange Park, FL) -- 953,000 square feet -- 1975
The Oaks (Gainesville, FL) -- 910,000 square feet -- 1978
CityPlace (West Palm Beach) -- 600,000 square feet -- 2000
List by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
1. Aventura Mall (Aventura, FL) -- 2.70 million square feet -- 1983
This suburban Miami retail epicenter is the largest conventional shopping mall in Florida and the third largest in the country. Containing 300 retailers spread across three levels, Aventura is anchored by Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, JCPenney, two Macy's, Sears, and AMC Aventura 24 Theatres. Aventura Mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and is now managed by Turnberry Associates.
2. Sawgrass Mills (Sunrise, FL) -- 2.38 million square feet -- 1990
With 350 stores, this Broward county attraction is the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the country. Originally built by the now defunct Mills Corporation, it's also the 7th largest mall in the country. Today, with anchors such as Off 5th, JCPenney Outlet, Super Target, and Last Call! Neiman Marcus, the center is operated by the Simon Property Group.
3. The Florida Mall (Orlando, FL) -- 1.85 million square feet -- 1986
The Florida Mall is one of the largest single-story malls in the country and the largest shopping center in Central Florida. Owned by the Simon Property Group, the mall is anchored by Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sears. The mall also contains The Florida Hotel and Conference Center, which has over 500 hotel rooms and suites.
4. Town Center at Boca Raton (Boca Raton, FL) -- 1.50 million square feet -- 1980
South Florida's second largest conventional shopping mall is home to over 200 retailers and anchored by Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Sears. In recent years, the Terrace at Town Center, a mixed-use lifestyle center addition between Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom has been completed. The mall is owned by the Simon Property Group.
5. Dadeland Mall (Kendall, FL) -- 1.49 million square feet -- 1962
This 185-store Miami-Dade County mall was established as an open-air center in 1962. It attained notoriety as the site of a 1979 drug-related shooting spree, which occurred during Miami's 20-year "Cocaine Cowboys" era. It is now owned by the Simon Property Group and has expanded and adapted to modernity to become one of Florida's largest upscale shopping centers. Today, the mall is anchored by JCPenney, two Macy's stores, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and includes a covered walkway through its parking lot to the nearest Metrorail (heavy rail transit) station.
6. Dolphin Mall (Sweetwater, FL) -- 1.40 million square feet -- 2001
A new kid on the block of South Florida's overcrowded mall market, Dolphin Mall features over 240 retail outlets and name-brand discounters as anchors. Completed in 2001, the shopping center is owned by Taubman Centers. Anchors include Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Bloomingdale's The Outlet Store, Burlington Coat Factory, Cobb Dolphin 19 Cinemas, Forever XXI, Group USA, Marshalls HomeGoods, Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance Center, OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue, Old Navy, Ross Dress for Less, Sam Ash Music, and The Sports Authority.
7. The Gardens Mall (Palm Beach Gardens, FL) -- 1.40 million square feet -- 1988
With Macy's, Sears, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue as anchors, and 160 retail stores, this mall has its own interchange that provides it with direct access to and from Interstate 95. It is owned by The Forbes Company.
8. Regency Square Mall (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.39 million square feet -- 1967
Constructed at the expense of sand dunes in 1967, this shopping center is the largest in North Florida. Its 1981 poaching of Sears triggered the collapse of the department store era in downtown Jacksonville. Now owned by General Growth Properties, Regency Square Mall contains over 100 retailers and is anchored by Belk, Dillard's Clearance Center, JCPenney, and Sears.
9. St. Johns Town Center (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.33 million square feet -- 2005
Since coming online in 2005, St. Johns Town Center has quickly become the apple of Jacksonville's eye. Owned by the Simon Property Group and Ben Carter Properties, its anchors include Dillard's, Target, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Ashley Furniture. With over 100 stores, many of whom used the development as an entry into the Jacksonville market, the lifestyle center is in the midst of another expansion which will include Nordstrom.
10. The Mall at Wellington Green (Wellington, FL) -- 1.27 million square feet -- 2001
Taubman Centers' The Mall at Wellington Green is the latest major retail center to open in Palm Beach County. The mall features Macy's, Dillard's, J.C. Penney, Nordstrom, City Furniture, Ashley Furniture Home Store, and La-Z-Boy Furniture galleries. In addition, the mall has over 170 stores and eateries.
Other Notable Shopping Centers
Who's the largest doesn't always equate with who's the best. For example, Regency is larger than St. Johns Town Center, but has struggled to take advantage of its girth. Here is a short list of other notable shopping centers across the state, along with the amount of retail square footage these developments bring to the table.
Westfield Countryside (Clearwater, FL) -- 1.21 million square feet -- 1975
Gulf Coast Town Center (Fort Myers, FL) -- 1.24 million square feet -- 2005
International Plaza (Tampa, FL) -- 1.20 million square feet -- 2001
Coconut Point (Estero, FL) -- 1.20 million square feet -- 2007
The Mall at Millenia (Orlando, FL) -- 1.12 million square feet -- 2002
Seminole Towne Center (Sanford, FL) -- 1.14 million square feet -- 1995
The Avenues (Jacksonville, FL) -- 1.12 million square feet -- 1990
Westfield Brandon (Brandon, FL) -- 1.10 million square feet -- 1995
WestShore Plaza (Tampa, FL) -- 1.06 million square feet -- 1967
Governor's Square (Tallahassee, FL) -- 1.02 million square feet -- 1979
Orange Park Mall (Orange Park, FL) -- 953,000 square feet -- 1975
The Oaks (Gainesville, FL) -- 910,000 square feet -- 1978
CityPlace (West Palm Beach) -- 600,000 square feet -- 2000
List by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com