The Florida Mall
Encyclopedia
The Florida Mall is a large enclosed shopping mall
in Orlando
, Florida
. It opened its doors in 1986. It is located on the southeast corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road. The mall has over 250 stores. At 1,849,000 ft² (179,778 m²) GLA
, it stands as one of the largest single-story malls in the United States.
Originally developed by Eddie DeBartolo of DeBartolo Realty, it is currently managed by Simon Property Group
, having fallen to Simon following the 1996 merger of Simon and DeBartolo Realty into "Simon DeBartolo Group".
The Florida Mall's Dillard's store was added in 1993; it originally occupied two anchor buildings, but was quickly redeveloped into a single two-story anchor. Belk-Lindsay
, a former mall anchor, was converted to a Saks Fifth Avenue in 1996. The J. C. Penney anchor was expanded in 1998. At the turn of the 21st century, the mall underwent a massive expansion and renovation project that brought in Burdines
in 2000 and Nordstrom in 2002. In 2005, Burdines was converted to Macy's
when Federated decided to end the Burdines nameplate.
and many other Orlando attractions including Universal studios, Disney and Seaworld. The Florida Hotel contains 510 guest rooms and suites. The hotel was built by E.J. DeBartolo and owned in partnership with Pratt Hotel Corporation of Dallas, TX. Originally flagged as a Crowne Plaza, then as a Sheraton Plaza, the hotel was sold to Adam’s Mark in 1996. In 2004 the hotel was purchased by a group headed by the Bank of Scotland.
, as well as a business plaza and several restaurants. The Florida Mall also controls an outdoor shopping plaza, The Terrace at The Florida Mall, next door to the east on Sand Lake Road. It features a Target
, Marshall's and American Signature Furniture
, and used to host Phar-Mor
and Service Merchandise
.
store was demolished. Lord & Taylor was the fifth tenant of its particular anchor, following Robinsons
, Maison Blanche
, Gayfers
and Parisian; it was the last L&T department store operated in Florida. The land is being redeveloped into a mixed-use outdoor shopping area attached to the mall that will include stores and restaurants. According to the Orlando Sentinel
, it was rumored to be the site of new locations for Zara
, Dick's Sporting Goods
and XXI Forever
. Ultimately, Zara, XXI Forever and Florida's first H&M
opened in the area in Fall 2009.
The mall is serviced by LYNX
buses (links) 4, 7, 37, 42, and 111.
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 Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, 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...
. It opened its doors in 1986. It is located on the southeast corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road. The mall has over 250 stores. At 1,849,000 ft² (179,778 m²) GLA
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...
, it stands as one of the largest single-story malls in the United States.
Originally developed by Eddie DeBartolo of DeBartolo Realty, it is currently managed 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...
, having fallen to Simon following the 1996 merger of Simon and DeBartolo Realty into "Simon DeBartolo Group".
The Florida Mall's Dillard's store was added in 1993; it originally occupied two anchor buildings, but was quickly redeveloped into a single two-story anchor. Belk-Lindsay
Belk
Belk is a department store chain founded in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina, today part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. After the founding of the first Belk store, the company grew in size and influence throughout the South via the chain in the USA, with its stores primarily located in the...
, a former mall anchor, was converted to a Saks Fifth Avenue in 1996. The J. C. Penney anchor was expanded in 1998. At the turn of the 21st century, the mall underwent a massive expansion and renovation project that brought in Burdines
Burdines
Burdines was a leading department store chain in the state of Florida. The first Burdines store was opened in Bartow, Florida in 1896., Burdines became part of Federated Department Stores, Inc in 1956...
in 2000 and Nordstrom in 2002. In 2005, Burdines was converted to 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...
when Federated decided to end the Burdines nameplate.
Location
Located close to Orlando International AirportOrlando International Airport
Orlando International Airport is a major international airport located southeast of the central business district of Orlando. It is the second busiest airport in Florida, after Miami International Airport...
and many other Orlando attractions including Universal studios, Disney and Seaworld. The Florida Hotel contains 510 guest rooms and suites. The hotel was built by E.J. DeBartolo and owned in partnership with Pratt Hotel Corporation of Dallas, TX. Originally flagged as a Crowne Plaza, then as a Sheraton Plaza, the hotel was sold to Adam’s Mark in 1996. In 2004 the hotel was purchased by a group headed by the Bank of Scotland.
Major retailers
Among the major retailers in the buildings surrounding the mall are Toys "R" Us and Rooms To GoRooms To Go
Rooms To Go Incorporated is a chain of furniture stores based in the South Eastern United States and Puerto Rico. In September 2005, Cindy Crawford launched the "Cindy Crawford Home" furniture line exclusively with Rooms To Go....
, as well as a business plaza and several restaurants. The Florida Mall also controls an outdoor shopping plaza, The Terrace at The Florida Mall, next door to the east on Sand Lake Road. It features a Target
Target Corporation
Target Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
, Marshall's and American Signature Furniture
American Signature
American Signature, Inc. is a privately owned furniture company based in Columbus, Ohio. It is the parent company of the retail brands Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture, and the manufacturer brand American Signature.-History:...
, and used to host Phar-Mor
Phar-Mor
Phar-Mor was a United States chain of discount drug stores, based in Youngstown, Ohio, and founded by Michael "Mickey" Monus and David S. Shapira in 1982. Some of its stores used the names Pharmhouse and Rx Place...
and Service Merchandise
Service Merchandise
Service Merchandise is an online retailer and former retailer chain of catalog showroom stores carrying fine jewelry, toys, sporting goods, and electronics that existed for 68 years...
.
History 2007-2009
In late 2007, the mall's closed Lord & TaylorLord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor, colloquially known as L&T, or LT, based in New York City, is the oldest upscale, specialty-retail department store chain in the United States. Concentrated in the eastern U.S., the retailer operated independently for nearly a century prior to joining American Dry Goods...
store was demolished. Lord & Taylor was the fifth tenant of its particular anchor, following Robinsons
Robinsons-May
Robinsons-May was a chain of department stores operating in Southern California, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada, previously with headquarters in North Hollywood, California...
, Maison Blanche
Maison Blanche
.Maison Blanche was a department store in New Orleans and later also a chain of department stores. It was founded in 1897 by Isidore Newman, an immigrant from Germany....
, Gayfers
Gayfers
Gayfers was a regional department store chain in the southern United States. Most stores were located in the Southeast. The chain became part of Dillard's in 1998.-History:...
and Parisian; it was the last L&T department store operated in Florida. The land is being redeveloped into a mixed-use outdoor shopping area attached to the mall that will include stores and restaurants. According to the Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Sentinel
The Orlando Sentinel is the primary newspaper of the Orlando, Florida region. It was founded in 1876. The Sentinel is owned by Tribune Company and is overseen by the Chicago Tribune. As of 2005, the Sentinel’s president and publisher was Kathleen Waltz; she announced her resignation in February 2008...
, it was rumored to be the site of new locations for 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...
, Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods
Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. , or Dick's, is a Fortune 500 American corporation in the sporting goods and retail industries.The company's headquarters are on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport in Findlay Township near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick's has 451 stores in 42 states as of...
and XXI Forever
Forever 21
Forever 21 is an American chain of clothing retailers with branches in major cities in The United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that offers fashion and accessories for young women and men....
. Ultimately, Zara, XXI Forever and Florida's first H&M
H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
opened in the area in Fall 2009.
The mall is serviced by LYNX
Lynx (transportation)
LYNX is a bus system run by the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority, serving the Orlando, Florida region. Bus routes are referred to as Links. Standard adult one-way fare is $2 with free single transfers valid for 90 minutes...
buses (links) 4, 7, 37, 42, and 111.