Omni International Mall

Omni International Mall was a former shopping mall located north of Downtown Miami in the area now associated with the city's Arts & Entertainment District. The complex opened in February 1977 in what was then known as the Omni area of Dade County, Florida. It was developed as more than a conventional retail center: the project combined an enclosed shopping mall with office accommodation and hotel facilities, reflecting the mixed-use development model used in several large urban commercial projects during the period. The mall was constructed in connection with an existing Jordan Marsh department store, which served as one of its principal anchors. J.C. Penney operated as the other major anchor. These department stores were intended to draw customers to a broader collection of shops and services within the complex. The property therefore depended substantially on the performance of its anchor tenants as well as on the wider retail conditions in central Miami. The tenant mix changed over time. The Jordan Marsh building was later taken over by Burdines, although that store closed in 1992. J.C. Penney continued at the complex for several more years before closing in 1998. The loss of both major department-store anchors weakened the mall's commercial role. After a period of declining sales, Omni International Mall closed in 2000. The adjacent hotel remained in operation after the retail portion shut down. Following the mall's closure, portions of the former complex were reused rather than immediately removed. Part of the former mall area was converted for use by Miami International University School of Art & Design. The former property also had an association with Crystal Cruises, which occupied space before the cruise company entered bankruptcy. Later redevelopment activity included an application for a demolition permit covering the former J.C. Penney section. The site's history illustrates the challenges faced by urban enclosed malls whose department-store anchors disappeared, while also showing how mixed-use properties can be partially repurposed after their original retail function ends.

Omni International Mall opened in February 1977 in northern Downtown Miami, in the area then identified with the Omni district of Dade County, Florida. The development was conceived as a mixed-use urban commercial property rather than solely as an enclosed retail center. Its components included a shopping mall, office space, and hotel facilities, with an existing Jordan Marsh department store incorporated into the project. The retail portion relied on two major department-store anchors. Jordan Marsh occupied one anchor location, while J.C. Penney served as the other. Around these stores, the complex provided the smaller shops and services normally associated with a regional mall. The combination of department stores, offices, and hospitality space was intended to create activity throughout the property and connect retail with Miami's central urban environment. The anchor configuration changed during the mall's operating history. Burdines subsequently replaced Jordan Marsh in the building, but the Burdines location closed in 1992. J.C. Penney remained longer but closed in 1998. The disappearance of the principal anchors coincided with declining sales and reduced commercial vitality. Omni International Mall ultimately closed in 2000, while the neighboring hotel continued operating. The site did not become entirely inactive after the retail closure. A portion of the former mall was converted for use by Miami International University School of Art & Design. The former complex also later accommodated Crystal Cruises before that company entered bankruptcy. Additional redevelopment activity included an application for a demolition permit for the old J.C. Penney section. The mall's evolution from a department-store-led retail destination to a partially reused and potentially redeveloped property reflects the changing economics of urban shopping centers and the difficulty of maintaining enclosed malls after the loss of their anchor tenants.

• 2000

  Retail operations end

  [1]Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The shopping mall closes after several years of decreasing sales, although the adjacent hotel remains open.

• 1998

  J.C. Penney closes

  [1]Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall's other principal department-store anchor, J.C. Penney, closes.

• 1992

  Burdines location closes

  [1]Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Burdines, which had taken over the former Jordan Marsh building, closes its location at the complex.

• 1977

  Mall opens in Miami

  [1]Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Omni International Mall opens in February in northern Downtown Miami as a mixed-use complex incorporating retail, offices, and hotel space.

• Portions of the property are repurposed

  [1]Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Part of the former mall is converted for use by Miami International University School of Art & Design, while other space is associated with Crystal Cruises before its bankruptcy.

An urban mixed-use shopping and commercial complex serving the Miami market, combining department-store anchors, specialty retail, offices, and hotel space.

• Retail property · 1977

  Enclosed shopping mall

  The core offering was an enclosed urban shopping mall with specialty retailers and department-store anchors. The retail component opened in 1977 and operated until 2000, when declining sales and the loss of its principal anchors contributed to its closure.

• Real estate development · 1977

  Mixed-use commercial complex

  Omni International Mall was developed as a combined retail, office, and hotel property. This broader format extended beyond shopping and allowed the site to retain non-retail uses after the mall itself closed.

• Department store · 1977

  Jordan Marsh and Burdines anchor stores

  An existing Jordan Marsh department store was incorporated into the mall at opening. The building was later operated by Burdines, whose location closed in 1992.

• Department store · 1977

  J.C. Penney anchor store

  J.C. Penney served as the mall's other major department-store anchor. Its closure in 1998 preceded the shopping center's final shutdown and contributed to the loss of the property's original retail draw.

• 2000

  Close the shopping mallStrategy

  Background

  The property experienced several years of declining sales, while its major department-store anchors had closed or disappeared from the original tenant configuration.

  Action taken

  The retail mall was closed, while the adjacent hotel continued operating.

  Aftermath

  Parts of the former mall were later reused for educational and other commercial purposes, and the former J.C. Penney section became the subject of a demolition-permit application.

  Source

1. 1Omni International Mallen.wikipedia.org