Sawgrass Mills

Sawgrass Mills is a super-regional outlet shopping center in Sunrise, Florida, serving the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area and international visitors to South Florida. Rather than being a conventional department-store mall, it combines factory outlets, off-price retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and adjacent open-air shopping districts. The property is divided into the principal enclosed mall, The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills, and The Colonnade Outlets. Together, these components create a destination-oriented retail complex with more than 400 stores and a substantial food, leisure, and hospitality offer. The property was conceived by Washington, D.C.-based Western Development Corporation as its third Landmark Mills project, following Potomac Mills and Franklin Mills. Planning began in 1988 on a roughly 442-acre site in Sunrise that had previously been swampy and rural and was historically connected to the Everglades ecosystem. The name refers to saw grass, a plant strongly associated with the Everglades. Arquitectonica designed the architectural concept, while Craven Thompson & Associates worked on landscape architecture. Construction began in 1988, with KanAm Grund Group participating as a development partner. Sawgrass Mills opened in stages in October and November 1990. Its alligator-shaped plan, broad themed concourses, outlet-oriented tenant mix, and large scale distinguished it from conventional suburban malls. Early anchors and tenants included BrandsMart USA, Waccamaw Pottery, Phar-Mor, VF Factory Outlet, Books-A-Million, and a Sears Outlet operation. A cinema followed in 1991, and additional big-box and warehouse retailers were added during the early 1990s. The site expanded its entertainment profile with restaurants, amusement concepts, and an outdoor district. The Oasis opened in 1999 with venues including Jillian's, GameWorks, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Foot Locker Outlet, and Hard Rock Cafe, followed by other restaurants and entertainment operators. The property continued to change as the outlet and off-price sectors evolved. The Colonnade Outlets opened in 2006 as an open-air luxury-oriented district, bringing outlet and factory-store formats from brands such as Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, and Tommy Bahama together with restaurants. The main mall also underwent interior renovation, including new flooring, lighting, furnishings, repainting, and a color-coded wayfinding system that replaced the original themed street and court terminology with numbered avenues and entrances. Ownership changed materially during the 2000s. The Mills Corporation, which had emerged from Western Development Corporation through a 1994 corporate spin-off, became the subject of regulatory scrutiny over accounting and financial-reporting issues. Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management subsequently acquired The Mills portfolio in a transaction completed in 2007, after which the properties were operated under The Mills, a Simon Company. Simon later acquired full management control of the Landmark Mills portfolio, including Sawgrass Mills, by purchasing Farallon's interest in 2012. Sawgrass Mills has also used place-based branding and public art to reinforce its South Florida identity. In 2010, the Gator Glam project placed artist-designed alligator sculptures around the property, especially near The Colonnade Outlets, linking the center's visual identity to the Everglades and its name. The center has continued to function as a major retail, dining, and entertainment destination near Amerant Bank Arena, with an on-property AC Hotel operated under the AC Hotels by Marriott brand. Its principal direct competitor identified in reference material is Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater, Miami-Dade County.

Sawgrass Mills was planned in 1988 by Western Development Corporation as a large outlet center for South Florida. The developer selected a 442-acre site in Sunrise, west of Fort Lauderdale, that had previously consisted largely of wetlands and rural land. Its location near the remaining Everglades influenced both the name and the visual identity of the project. The center was named for saw grass, a plant associated with the Everglades, and its eventual building plan was designed in the shape of an alligator. Architectural plans were unveiled by Arquitectonica in May 1988, and construction began that month. The project was developed with KanAm Grund Group, a German investment firm that had partnered with Western Development and later with The Mills organization. Western announced several early anchor commitments, including Sears, Waccamaw Pottery, BrandsMart USA, Phar-Mor, VF Factory Outlet, and the proposed 49th Street Galleria. Some planned concepts changed before or after opening, and an intended IKEA agreement was never completed. A construction worker, Robert Hottinger, died in May 1990 after falling from a scaffold while installing drywall. The mall opened on October 4, 1990, after approximately two years of construction. The opening was staged in two sections: the initial eastern and central portions opened first, while a western extension opened on November 15. The original interior was organized around themed concourses called Main Streets and architectural courts, with brightly named entrances and a strong entertainment-oriented design. Early additions included an 18-screen Cobb cinema in December 1991, Target Greatland in 1992, and nearby warehouse operations including Sam's Club and a former Pace Membership Warehouse site. During the mid-1990s, the tenant mix was repeatedly revised. Sears Outlet closed in 1994 and was replaced by a JCPenney Catalog Outlet. Saks Fifth Avenue moved to a larger space, allowing Loehmann's to occupy its former location. TJ Maxx and Service Merchandise became anchors of a second-phase extension known first as Veranda Main Street and later as part of The Loop. The former Spiegel Outlet space became the first Neiman Marcus Last Call location. The cinema changed identity after Cobb Theatres was acquired by Regal Cinemas in 1997, becoming Regal Sawgrass 18 and later expanding to 23 screens. The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills opened on April 15, 1999, creating the property's first major outdoor concourse. It was planned as an entertainment and retail district and initially included Jillian's Entertainment, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and Foot Locker Outlet. GameWorks opened soon afterward, and Hard Rock Cafe opened in July 1999. The Cheesecake Factory joined the district in 2000, while Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse and Nordstrom Rack were added during the following years. Several entertainment concepts later closed or changed operators, reflecting the volatility of the family-entertainment and themed-restaurant sectors. The Colonnade Outlets opened in March 2006 as a separately designed open-air district focused on upscale and luxury outlet shopping. Its tenant mix included brands such as St. John, Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Tommy Bahama, and Nike Factory Store, along with restaurants including Grand Lux Cafe and P. F. Chang's China Bistro. The main mall was also renovated during this period with updated finishes, lighting, furniture, paint, and wayfinding. The former themed Main Streets and Courts were replaced in the directory by numbered Avenues and color-coded neighborhoods. The corporate history of Sawgrass Mills became linked to the financial problems of The Mills Corporation. Western Development had completed a corporate spin-off as Mills Corporation in April 1994. In 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission investigated the company over accounting irregularities and fraudulent financial reporting allegations. Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired The Mills portfolio in a transaction announced in 2007 and completed in April of that year. The portfolio was subsequently operated as The Mills, a Simon Company. In 2012, Simon bought Farallon's interest in a group of Landmark Mills properties, giving Simon full management control. The center marked its twentieth anniversary in 2010 with Gator Glam, a public-art program involving customized, artist-painted alligator sculptures. The project connected the mall's distinctive shape and name with the regional landscape and was developed with the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood. Bloomingdale's – The Outlet Store opened in November 2010. The children's role-play attraction Wannado City closed in January 2011, and Simon announced a major expansion and redevelopment program later that year. JCPenney's outlet operation was also separated and rebranded as JC's 5 Star Outlet after a change in ownership and operating strategy. Sawgrass Mills remains a major retail destination in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale region. Its offer is organized around outlet and off-price shopping, luxury outlet retail, dining, entertainment, and tourism-oriented convenience. The property is adjacent to Amerant Bank Arena and includes the AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise, operated by AC Hotels by Marriott. The center's principal direct competitor in the cited reference material is Dolphin Mall in Sweetwater, Florida.

• 2012

  Simon gains full management control

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Simon acquired Farallon's interest in the Landmark Mills portfolio and took full management control.

• 2011

  Expansion and redevelopment announced

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Simon announced a 180,000-square-foot expansion and redevelopment plan aimed in part at attracting higher-end retailers.

• 2010

  Gator Glam launches

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The center launched an artist-designed alligator sculpture exhibition for its twentieth anniversary.

• 2007

  Simon acquires The Mills portfolio

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired the portfolio that included Sawgrass Mills.

• 2006

  The Colonnade Outlets opens

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  An upscale open-air outlet district was added, broadening the center's luxury retail offer.

• 1999

  The Oasis opens

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The first major outdoor retail and entertainment district opened adjacent to the main mall.

• 1995

  Veranda Main Street extension opens

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  A major second-phase extension opened with TJ Maxx and Service Merchandise among its anchor occupants.

• 1991

  Cinema added

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  An 18-screen Cobb Theatres cinema opened at the property.

• 1990

  Grand opening

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Sawgrass Mills opened on October 4, followed by a second western phase on November 15.

• 1988

  Development announced

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Western Development Corporation announced plans for a major Landmark Mills outlet center on a large Sunrise site.

• 1988

  Construction begins

  [1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Architectural plans were unveiled and construction started for the alligator-shaped project.

A large-scale destination outlet center combining value retail, recognizable national and international brands, luxury outlet shopping, dining, entertainment, and South Florida tourism appeal.

• Enclosed outlet shopping center · 1990

  Main Sawgrass Mills mall

  The principal enclosed component of the property, offering a large concentration of outlet, factory, off-price, department-store, footwear, home, electronics, dining, and service tenants. Its themed architecture and later color-coded avenue system were designed to make a very large shopping complex navigable and destination-oriented.

• Outdoor retail and entertainment district · 1999

  The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills

  An open-air district launched in 1999 to expand the property beyond enclosed outlet shopping. It combined restaurants, branded outlet stores, cinemas, and entertainment operators, including GameWorks, Hard Rock Cafe, The Cheesecake Factory, and other concepts introduced or replaced over time.

• Luxury outlet shopping district · 2006

  The Colonnade Outlets

  An open-air district focused on upscale and designer outlet retail. Its cited tenant mix includes Burberry, Coach, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade, Tommy Bahama, St. John, Nike Factory Store, and other premium brands, supported by full-service restaurants.

• On-property hotel

  AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise

  A hotel located on the Sawgrass Mills property and operated under the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, extending the destination's offer to overnight visitors and shopping tourists.

• 2006

  SEC investigation of The Mills Corporation

  The Securities and Exchange Commission investigated The Mills Corporation, the corporate predecessor and portfolio owner associated with Sawgrass Mills, over accounting irregularities and allegedly fraudulent financial reporting. The matter formed part of the corporate circumstances preceding the sale of The Mills portfolio.

  Source

Read more

• 2010Gator Glam

  South Florida

  Sawgrass Mills partnered with the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood on a juried public-art exhibition featuring at least 20 large alligator sculptures customized and painted by local artists.

  Outcome. The project reinforced the mall's alligator-shaped architecture, Everglades association, and South Florida identity.

  Source
• 1990Grand-opening regional campaign

  South Florida

  Ahead of the opening, the mall used airplane banners, newspaper advertising, and television and radio commercials to build awareness across the region, followed by media previews and a large opening parade.

  Outcome. Established Sawgrass Mills as a major new regional outlet destination.

  Source

• 2012

  Simon assumes full management controlM&A

  Background

  Simon and Farallon jointly controlled a group of Landmark Mills properties after the 2007 acquisition.

  Action taken

  Simon purchased Farallon's stake in 26 Landmark Mills malls, including Sawgrass Mills.

  Aftermath

  Simon became the sole management controller of the property portfolio.

  Reported portfolio transaction value. $1.5 billion (2012 purchase of Farallon's interest)

  Source

• 2011

  Plan major expansion and redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Simon sought to refresh the property and increase its appeal to higher-end retailers.

  Action taken

  Simon announced a 180,000-square-foot expansion and redevelopment project, including demolition of the former Wannado City building.

  Aftermath

  The announcement marked the next major growth phase after the development of The Colonnade Outlets.

  Source

• 2007

  Acquire The Mills portfolioM&A

  Background

  The Mills Corporation faced regulatory scrutiny and ownership pressure after accounting and reporting problems.

  Action taken

  Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired the portfolio that included Sawgrass Mills; the transaction was completed in April 2007.

  Aftermath

  Sawgrass Mills became part of The Mills, a Simon Company, and later came under Simon's full management control.

  Reported transaction value. $1.64 billion (2007 acquisition of The Mills portfolio)

  Source

• 2006

  Open The Colonnade OutletsProduct launch

  Background

  Sawgrass Mills sought to broaden its customer base with a more upscale open-air outlet environment.

  Action taken

  The Colonnade Outlets opened with premium outlet brands, restaurants, and dedicated outdoor design.

  Aftermath

  The property added a distinct luxury-oriented component alongside its value-focused main mall.

  Source

• 2004

  Renovate and rebrand the internal wayfinding systemStrategy

  Background

  The large, themed original layout required modernization and clearer navigation.

  Action taken

  The center updated flooring, lighting, paint, furniture, and directories, replacing Main Street and Court naming with numbered Avenues and color-coded neighborhoods.

  Aftermath

  The mall adopted a more standardized navigation and visual system while retaining its large destination format.

  Source

• 1999

  Create The Oasis outdoor districtProduct launch

  Background

  The enclosed mall's retail offer was expanded with a dedicated outdoor entertainment and shopping zone.

  Action taken

  The Oasis opened with retail, restaurants, entertainment venues, and an expanded cinema concept.

  Aftermath

  The property gained a broader leisure and dining proposition beyond outlet shopping.

  Source

• 2012

  Simon takes full management control of Landmark Mills properties[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Leadership change

  Simon Property Group acquired Farallon's interest in a portfolio of Landmark Mills malls, giving Simon full control of management for Sawgrass Mills and related properties.

• 2011

  Sawgrass Mills announces major expansion[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  Simon Property Group announced a planned 180,000-square-foot expansion and redevelopment intended to attract additional high-end retailers.

• 2007

  Simon Property Group and Farallon acquire The Mills portfolio[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management acquired The Mills portfolio, including Sawgrass Mills, with the transaction completed in April 2007.

• 2006

  The Colonnade Outlets opens[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  An open-air luxury outlet district opened adjacent to the main mall, adding upscale outlet brands and full-service restaurants.

• 1999

  The Oasis at Sawgrass Mills opens[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The property added an outdoor entertainment and retail district featuring operators including Jillian's, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Foot Locker Outlet, GameWorks, and Hard Rock Cafe.

• 1990

  Sawgrass Mills opens in Sunrise[1]Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The outlet mall held its grand opening on October 4, 1990, with a parade led by Apollo 12 astronaut Pete Conrad and a performance by Dizzy Gillespie. A second opening phase followed in November.

1. 1Sawgrass Millsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sawgrass Mills official websitesawgrassmills.com