Centro del Sur Mall
A historic shopping mall in Ponce, Puerto Rico, known for its distinctive zig-zag concrete roof and role as a major southern Puerto Rico retail center.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Centro del Sur Mall is a shopping mall in Ponce, Puerto Rico, located at the intersection of Miguel Pou Boulevard, or Puerto Rico Route 1, and Las Américas Avenue, or Puerto Rico Route 163. It is one of the island’s historically significant retail centers and was, at its opening, the largest shopping mall in Puerto Rico. The mall was inaugurated on June 27, 1962, after approximately two years of planning and construction by IBEC Realty Company. Its original 120,000-square-foot layout contained 18 establishments and was anchored by Kresge’s, Barker’s, and Grand Union. Other early occupants included Farmacias Moscoso, Thom McAn, Banco de Ponce, Elegance, Mayfair, and One-Hour Martinizing. The center was promoted as an exceptionally modern shopping destination for the Caribbean. Its design featured a long central shopping corridor, landscaped areas, benches, a fountain with colored lighting, and an unusual accordion-like roof. The roof was built using a zig-zag prefabricated reinforced-concrete truss system, a construction feature described as unique among Puerto Rican malls. The corridor’s north-south orientation and secondary east-west passages created a distinctive interior arrangement that differentiated Centro del Sur from later enclosed shopping centers. Centro del Sur underwent several periods of tenant turnover, remodeling, and expansion. Kresge’s closed in June 1987 after more than two decades of operation, affecting employees who had worked there since the mall’s early years. In 1994, space formerly occupied by New York Department Stores was incorporated into the main mall and became home to Marshalls, Tiendas Ferco, Me Salvé, PostNet, and other local businesses. The project also brought a major reconstruction of the entrance and facade. The following year, completion of the Malecón Avenue overpass improved automobile access and added approximately 150 parking spaces, bringing the total to about 1,350. Further expansion followed in the 2000s. A 20,000-square-foot project for a Marshalls megastore was scheduled for completion in 2005. By the late 2000s, the tenant mix included Marshalls, Farmacias El Amal, Pitusa, Me Salvé, Almacenes Kress, Payless ShoeSource, RadioShack, Foot Locker, Rent-A-Center, Western Auto, and numerous apparel, food, and specialty retailers. The Rincón del Sabor food court included national and local concepts such as Subway, Mr. Pretzels, Charlie’s Pizza, Country Deli, Villa China, and other vendors. In 2010, the mall announced plans for a 69,595-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory store in space previously occupied by several large tenants, with some businesses relocated within the center. Burlington opened on March 27, 2011, and Burlington Baby Depot followed in October 2012. These additions reinforced the mall’s role as a regional destination for value-oriented apparel and general merchandise. The mall has also functioned as a community and entertainment venue. It contains an area for public events, hosts talent shows and the recurring Miss Centro del Sur event, and has been used for musical appearances. Puerto Rican singer Melina León selected the mall as the venue for the debut of her album Corazón de Mujer. In December 1966, Centro del Sur staged a widely remembered promotional event in which Santa Claus arrived by helicopter, reportedly the first such public Santa landing in Puerto Rico. Centro del Sur was Puerto Rico’s largest mall until the opening of Plaza Las Américas in San Juan in 1968. Its location just outside Ponce’s historic zone, near the main public library, major roads, banks, restaurants, taxi services, and the PR-12 highway, has helped it retain regional importance. The mall is managed by Commercial Centers Management and has been described as having more than 50 stores, over 30 kiosks and food-court vendors, and a broader surrounding retail area that increases the effective commercial footprint beyond the mall proper.
History
Centro del Sur Mall emerged during the rapid modernization of Ponce’s commercial infrastructure in the early 1960s. IBEC Realty Company began planning the project in 1960, and construction took approximately two years. The center opened on June 27, 1962, with about 120,000 square feet of retail space and 18 establishments. Its anchor tenants were Kresge’s, Barker’s, and Grand Union, while smaller tenants included pharmacy, footwear, banking, apparel, and garment-care businesses. The mall’s architecture was central to its early identity. A 436-foot shopping corridor, landscaped seating areas, and a lighted central fountain created an experience that was considered unusually modern for Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean. Its prefabricated reinforced-concrete roof used a pronounced zig-zag or accordion form. The system, together with the mall’s north-south corridor and shorter cross-axis passages, remains one of the center’s most distinctive physical characteristics. Centro del Sur held the distinction of being Puerto Rico’s largest mall until Plaza Las Américas opened in San Juan in 1968. It nevertheless remained an important commercial venue for Ponce and southern Puerto Rico. The mall’s tenant base changed as retail chains evolved. Kresge’s closed in 1987, and space formerly occupied by New York Department Stores was redeveloped in 1994. That project added Marshalls, Tiendas Ferco, Me Salvé, PostNet, and other tenants while also bringing a substantial renovation of the entrance and facade. The changes were associated with improved sales performance. In 1995, a new overpass on Malecón Avenue improved road access and increased parking capacity to approximately 1,350 spaces. During the 2000s, the mall continued to adapt through anchor expansion and tenant replacement. A 20,000-square-foot Marshalls megastore project was planned for 2005. In the late 2000s, the center included Marshalls, Farmacias El Amal, Pitusa, local apparel and department retailers, service businesses, electronics and footwear chains, and the Rincón del Sabor food court. The mix reflected the mall’s role as a practical, mid-market and value-oriented destination rather than an exclusive luxury center. The next major redevelopment phase began in 2010, when the mall announced plans for a 69,595-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory store. The project used space formerly associated with Western Auto, Pitusa, Farmacias El Amal, Madison, and Rent-A-Center, with some displaced tenants moved elsewhere in the property. Burlington opened in March 2011, followed by Burlington Baby Depot in October 2012. Beyond retail, Centro del Sur has served as a civic, promotional, and entertainment venue. The mall has hosted talent shows, community activities, and the Miss Centro del Sur event. It was also used for the debut of Melina León’s album Corazón de Mujer. A notable earlier promotion occurred on December 24, 1966, when Santa Claus arrived by helicopter to distribute gifts to children, an event described as the first public helicopter arrival by Santa Claus in Puerto Rico. The mall sits just outside Ponce’s historic zone, close to the Ponce Public Library, major road connections, surrounding banks and restaurants, and taxi services. The opening of PR-12 west of the mall further improved accessibility. Commercial Centers Management manages the property. The center has been described as containing more than 50 stores, over 30 kiosks and food-court vendors, and a community-event area. Its historic scale, location, architecture, and continuing regional tenant role make it a notable part of Ponce’s retail landscape.
- 2012
Burlington Baby Depot opens
[1]Burlington Baby Depot opened at the mall in October.
- 2011
Burlington opens
[1]Burlington Coat Factory inaugurated its Centro del Sur location on March 27.
- 2010
Burlington redevelopment announced
[1]The mall announced plans for a 69,595-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory store using redeveloped and reorganized space.
- 2005
Marshalls megastore expansion
[1]A 20,000-square-foot expansion was planned for a Marshalls megastore.
- 1995
Access and parking improvements
[1]The Malecón Avenue overpass improved access and added approximately 150 spaces to the mall's parking supply.
- 1994
Extension and facade reconstruction
[1]Former New York Department Stores space was added to the mall, accompanied by new tenants and a reconstruction of the entrance and facade.
- 1987
Kresge's departure
[1]Kresge's closed its mall store in June after more than 20 years of operation.
- 1968
Largest-mall distinction ends
[1]Plaza Las Américas opened in San Juan, ending Centro del Sur's status as Puerto Rico's largest mall.
- 1966
Helicopter Santa Claus promotion
[1]The mall hosted a Christmas Eve promotion in which Santa Claus arrived by helicopter to distribute gifts to children.
- 1962
Mall inauguration
[1]Centro del Sur opened on June 27 with approximately 120,000 square feet, 18 establishments, and anchors Kresge's, Barker's, and Grand Union.
Products and positioning
A regional, value-oriented shopping and community destination serving Ponce and southern Puerto Rico, with a historically important architectural identity and a tenant mix combining national chains, local retailers, food vendors, and services.
Off-price department store · 2011
Burlington
Burlington became a major anchor at Centro del Sur after the mall created a large new store through a 2010 redevelopment project. The store opened in March 2011 and broadened the center’s assortment of value-oriented apparel, home goods, and general merchandise.
Off-price department store · 2005
Marshalls Megastore
Marshalls was one of the mall’s principal later-era anchors. A 20,000-square-foot expansion planned for 2005 supported a larger store format and reinforced Centro del Sur’s role as a discount and value retail destination.
Food court
Rincón del Sabor
Rincón del Sabor is the mall’s food-court offering. Historical tenant listings describe a varied selection of national and local food concepts, including Subway, Mr. Pretzels, Charlie’s Pizza, Country Deli, Villa China, and other vendors.
Events and entertainment
Community and event facilities
Centro del Sur includes space used for community events, talent shows, promotional activities, and recurring programs such as Miss Centro del Sur. These facilities extend the mall’s role beyond shopping and provide a venue for local cultural and commercial events.
Marketing campaigns
- 1966Santa Claus helicopter arrival
Puerto Rico
On Christmas Eve, Centro del Sur staged a promotional event in which Santa Claus arrived by helicopter and gave gifts to children gathered at the mall.
Outcome. The event became part of the mall’s local history and was described as the first public Santa Claus helicopter landing in Puerto Rico.
- Miss Centro del Sur
Puerto Rico
The mall hosts a recurring Miss Centro del Sur event as part of its community and entertainment programming.
Outcome. The event continues the mall’s tradition of using public programming to attract visitors and engage the Ponce community.
- Melina León album debut
Puerto Rico
Centro del Sur served as the venue for Puerto Rican singer Melina León to debut her album Corazón de Mujer.
Outcome. The appearance reinforced the mall’s role as an entertainment and promotional venue in addition to its retail function.
Brand decisions
2010
Create space for BurlingtonProduct launchBackground
Centro del Sur sought to add a large national off-price department-store tenant and reorganize several existing spaces.
Action taken
The mall announced a 69,595-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory store and relocated some affected tenants within the property.
Aftermath
Burlington opened in 2011, followed by Burlington Baby Depot in 2012.
2005
Expand MarshallsStrategyBackground
Marshalls was an important anchor in the mall’s value-oriented tenant mix.
Action taken
The mall planned a 20,000-square-foot expansion for a Marshalls megastore.
1994
Redevelop former department-store spaceStrategyBackground
The mall had an opportunity to reuse space formerly occupied by New York Department Stores while refreshing its public-facing areas.
Action taken
Centro del Sur incorporated the space into the main mall, added new tenants, and reconstructed the entrance and facade.
Aftermath
The redevelopment was described as successful, with sales increasing consistently afterward.
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