Some shopping destinations are so iconic that they immediately evoke images of retail bliss and fun-filled days for visitors, hoping they will have enough time to take in all the sights. Such is the case with the Aventura Mall in South Florida, which is aptly dubbed a super-regional shopping mall. This massive shopping destination spans an eye-popping 2.7 million square feet of gross leasable area and packs more than 300 retailers into its chic three-story layout.
Aventura Mall dates back to April 1983, when the original developer, Oxford Development Company, opened its doors. At inception, the mall spanned 1.2 million square feet and featured four anchor tenants: JCPenney, Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, and Sears. Fast forward to 1996, and the mall was under the ownership of Turnberry Associates and Simon Property Group, and a major expansion project was in the works.
That project would see the addition of an AMC Theatre multiplex cinema, restaurants, and a three-story atrium, among others. Additional expansions of individual on-site retailers and retail wings have been added through the years, and the mall now has a whopping six anchor tenants: Bloomingdale’s, JCPenney, Nordstrom, and Sears, as well as a Macy’s dedicated to women’s and children’s wear and one dedicated to men’s home and furnishings.
The remaining tenants comprise a diverse range of retailers. Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Brooks Brothers, Apple, H&M, and Urban Outfitters are just a few of the names that occupy space at this bustling shopping center. There are dining options aplenty to satisfy every budget and palate, ranging from high-end options such as The Grill on the Alley and Rosalia’s to casual fare that includes the Cheesecake Factory and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Looking for just a quick snack or beverage? Aventura Mall has you covered on that front as well, with offerings that include Starbucks, Teavana, Mrs. Fields, and Auntie Anne’s.
Fans of the arts will find paradise when they visit Aventura in terms of amenities. The mall is home to Turnberry for the Arts, which features a revolving set of installations from both local and international artists. Additionally, the mall boasts an interactive playground designed by an artist to occupy the younger audience, and a calendar filled with events from individual stores and mall promotions. Add it all up, and it’s pretty easy to see why the Aventura Mall is considered to be South Florida’s premiere shopping destination; it’s a destination that has to make its way to your travel itinerary if you’ve yet to enjoy all of the splendor that it has to offer.
Aventura Mall has launched construction on a major expansion that will include a new three-level, 315,000-square-foot retail wing and multi-level parking garage. The new wing, which is expected to open in late 2017, will include several destination restaurants, more than three dozen retail stores, a new food hall with indoor/outdoor seating, a rooftop terrace, and a VIP concierge area perfect for private dinners and events.
