Scottsdale Fashion Square
An upscale shopping, dining, entertainment, and hospitality complex in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Scottsdale Fashion Square is a large upscale shopping and mixed-use destination at the northwest corner of Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona. It is generally described as the largest shopping mall in Arizona, with approximately 2 million square feet of retail space, and has developed from a small neighborhood shopping center into a regional luxury-oriented destination serving the Phoenix metropolitan area, seasonal visitors, tourists, and affluent consumers from across the Southwest. The property traces its retail history to a small center opened in 1959 on land that had previously been considered distant from the established Scottsdale and Phoenix business districts. The formal three-story open-air Scottsdale Fashion Square structure followed in 1961. Its early anchors included Goldwater's department store and A. J. Bayless supermarket, while later additions and expansions progressively increased the center's scale and merchandising profile. A major west-side expansion in 1974 nearly doubled the shopping center's size and introduced Diamond's as an additional department-store anchor. Competition intensified after Camelview Plaza opened nearby in 1977. Westcor subsequently acquired Scottsdale Fashion Square and, in the 1980s, linked the two properties with a retail bridge over what became Goldwater Boulevard. The combined redevelopment, completed in 1991, substantially modernized both centers and added a food court, a Harkins cinema, expanded department-store space, and a more integrated circulation plan. Neiman Marcus opened in 1992, reinforcing the property's move toward luxury retail. The site was consolidated and renamed Scottsdale Fashion Square after Westcor acquired Camelview Plaza in 1996. A major expansion completed in 1998 added Arizona's first Nordstrom location and a new upscale wing. Dillard's also expanded into the former Bullock's space, making its Scottsdale store the largest in the chain at that time. Subsequent anchor changes included the replacement of Sears by Macy's in 2002, the closure and demolition of Robinsons-May after the 2005 Federated-May merger, and the construction of a new wing anchored by Barneys New York and H&M in 2009. A Microsoft Store also opened at the property in 2009. The mall continued to diversify beyond traditional department stores. A 2015 addition placed Dick's Sporting Goods below a new 14-screen Harkins Theatres complex. A renovation begun in 2017 and completed in 2018 introduced a new luxury entrance, hospitality features, residential and hotel-related elements, and refreshed interiors. Apple opened a new Scottsdale Fashion Square store in September 2018 after relocating from Biltmore Fashion Park. In 2019, the former Barneys space was converted into a two-level Industrious coworking facility. More recent development has emphasized luxury services, restaurants, wellness, and hospitality. New or announced tenants have included Hermès, Gucci Men's, Versace, Golden Goose, Levi's, Warby Parker, Fabletics, Casper, Buck Mason, Psycho Bunny, Capital One Café, and Lucid Studio. Restaurant additions and plans have included Élephante, Catch Seafood, Luna, Pronto, and other destination dining concepts. Life Time Fitness announced a three-level, 40,000-square-foot club outside the luxury wing. Exterior and interior work on the southern Nordstrom wing began in 2023, with plans for two-story storefronts, exterior-facing retail, a porte cochere, destination restaurants, and luxury valet service. The adjacent Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel opened to the public in March 2024 following a February 2024 grand-opening ceremony. The 11-story, 265-room hotel includes event space, pools, and restaurants and represents Caesars Entertainment's first non-gaming hotel property in the United States. The complex also hosts community and cultural programming, including an annual Lunar New Year celebration organized with Phoenix Chinese Week. Scottsdale Fashion Square has historically reported strong productivity and visitor traffic. Reference material identifies it as one of the most productive malls in the United States and among the country's more visited shopping centers. Its economic importance to Scottsdale is also significant because sales generated at the property contribute materially to municipal sales-tax receipts. The center remains active under Macerich ownership, with its current positioning centered on luxury retail, experiential dining, entertainment, hospitality, wellness, and mixed-use urban development.
History
The site of Scottsdale Fashion Square was initially regarded as too remote from the established commercial areas of Scottsdale and Phoenix to have high retail value. A Ryan-Evans drug store was the only known retail business on the site during the early period. Harry Lenart acquired the approximately 40-acre property in the 1940s, and it was later used for a rodeo stadium before plans for a shopping center emerged. A small shopping center opened in 1959 with a grocery store, barber shop, liquor store, camera store, and the pre-existing drug store. A steakhouse followed in 1960. The first formal Scottsdale Fashion Square structure opened in 1961 as a three-story open-air center designed by Edward L. Varney Associates and built by Kitchell Contractors. Its principal anchors were Goldwater's and A. J. Bayless. The center's early performance supported a major 1974 west-side expansion that nearly doubled its size and added Diamond's. Camelview Plaza opened nearby in 1977, creating direct competition for tenants and customers. After Westcor acquired Scottsdale Fashion Square in 1982, the two properties were connected through a two-story retail bridge. North 70th Street was reconstructed below grade, widened, and renamed North Goldwater Boulevard, while the two centers were extensively renovated. The redevelopment was completed in 1991 and included expanded Goldwater's and Dillard's space, a food court, and a Harkins seven-screen cinema. Neiman Marcus opened in 1992 in space formerly occupied by Sakowitz. Goldwater's became J. W. Robinson's in 1989 and Robinsons-May in 1993. Bullock's closed in 1996. That year, Westcor purchased Camelview Plaza and consolidated the broader property under the Scottsdale Fashion Square name. The resulting 1998 expansion added Arizona's first Nordstrom, a luxury-oriented wing, and a greatly enlarged Dillard's. The property reached approximately 2 million square feet and became one of the largest enclosed shopping centers in the country. Public-sector incentives supported the recruitment of major anchors, including a city tax rebate associated with Neiman Marcus and a sales-tax rebate arrangement connected with Nordstrom. Sears briefly occupied a former Dillard's location before Macy's replaced it in 2002. Westcor became part of Macerich's ownership structure, and the property has been held through Westcor by Macerich since 2002. Following the 2005 merger of Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores, Robinsons-May closed in 2006. The former store was demolished and replaced by a new wing anchored by Barneys New York and H&M, which opened in 2009. A Microsoft Store also opened that year. In 2015, the center added a two-level building containing Dick's Sporting Goods and a 14-screen Harkins Theatres complex. Barneys announced the closure of its Scottsdale store in 2016. Macerich then announced a major redevelopment program exceeding $100 million. Construction began in 2017 and was substantially completed in autumn 2018, adding luxury entrances, hospitality features, office and residential-related components, and refreshed public areas. Apple opened a new store at the property on September 29, 2018. In 2019, the former Barneys premises were repurposed as an Industrious coworking facility. The property's subsequent strategy has focused on broadening the destination beyond conventional mall retail. Announced or opened additions have included premium fashion houses, contemporary brands, restaurants, cafés, wellness operators, and automotive or technology-oriented showrooms. In 2021, Life Time Fitness announced a three-level club near the luxury wing. In 2022 and 2023, Macerich advanced plans for additional work around the southern Nordstrom wing, including exterior-facing retail, two-story storefronts, a porte cochere, restaurants, and valet service. The hospitality component expanded with Caesars Republic Scottsdale. The 11-story, 265-room hotel held its grand opening ceremony on February 29, 2024, and opened to guests on March 6. It includes approximately 20,000 square feet of event space, two pools, and restaurants, and is described as Caesars Entertainment's first non-gaming property in the United States. The mall also maintains a community-event role, including Lunar New Year programming with Phoenix Chinese Week. The center faced the operational and public-safety challenges affecting many malls. During the COVID-19 pandemic it temporarily operated under enhanced health protocols and later received SafeGuard hygiene certification. In 2020, vandalism and looting occurred during unrest associated with the George Floyd protests. In a separate 2018 incident, an off-duty Scottsdale police officer working security fatally shot a man in a parking garage after responding to reports of erratic behavior; police said the man raised a handgun, and the officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending review. The property has also been connected to controversy over municipal financing for an adjacent parking garage. Despite these incidents, Scottsdale Fashion Square remains a major regional luxury and mixed-use destination under Macerich ownership.
- 2024
Caesars Republic Scottsdale opens
[1]The adjacent 265-room hotel opens to the public, expanding the complex's hospitality and event offering.
- 2023
Southern Nordstrom wing renovation begins
[1]Macerich begins another luxury-focused renovation involving storefronts, dining, a porte cochere, and valet services.
- 2019
Former Barneys space becomes coworking center
[1]Industrious opens a two-story coworking facility in the former Barneys location.
- 2018
Luxury renovation and Apple relocation completed
[1]A major renovation concludes, and Apple opens a new store at the property on September 29.
- 2015
Dick's Sporting Goods and new Harkins cinema added
[1]A two-level addition opens with Dick's Sporting Goods and a 14-screen Harkins Theatres complex.
- 2009
Barneys and H&M wing opens
[1]A new wing opens following the demolition of the former Robinsons-May store, with Barneys New York and H&M as notable tenants.
- 2002
Macy's replaces Sears
[1]Macy's takes over a former department-store location after Sears's brief occupancy.
- 1998
Nordstrom expansion opens
[1]A new luxury wing anchored by Arizona's first Nordstrom opens, while the property reaches roughly 2 million square feet.
- 1996
Camelview Plaza is acquired and consolidated
[1]Westcor acquires Camelview Plaza and brings the combined shopping complex under the Scottsdale Fashion Square identity.
- 1992
Neiman Marcus opens
[1]Neiman Marcus opens in the former Sakowitz space, strengthening the center's luxury positioning.
Products and positioning
Luxury and upscale regional shopping center combining premium retail, department stores, restaurants, entertainment, hospitality, wellness, and mixed-use experiences.
Luxury retail · 1998
Luxury retail wing
The luxury wing groups premium fashion, accessories, beauty, jewelry, and lifestyle retailers within a destination-oriented environment. The tenant mix has included luxury houses such as Neiman Marcus, Hermès, Gucci Men's, Versace, and Golden Goose, alongside upscale restaurants and hospitality-oriented public spaces.
Department stores · 1961
Department-store collection
Scottsdale Fashion Square's department-store offer has historically been central to its regional-destination role. The property has hosted Goldwater's, J. W. Robinson's, Robinsons-May, Bullock's, Sears, and other legacy operators, while current reference material identifies Macy's, Dillard's, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus among its principal anchors.
Entertainment · 2015
Harkins Theatres
Harkins Theatres operates a cinema presence within the complex. The current entertainment component includes a 14-screen theater added as part of the 2015 expansion, following an earlier seven-screen cinema introduced during the 1991 redevelopment.
Hospitality · 2024
Caesars Republic Scottsdale
Caesars Republic Scottsdale is an adjacent 11-story hotel with 265 guestrooms, event space, pools, and restaurants. Its opening broadened Scottsdale Fashion Square from a shopping center into a more integrated retail, dining, entertainment, and hospitality destination.
Coworking · 2019
Industrious Scottsdale Fashion Square
Industrious operates a two-story coworking facility of approximately 33,000 square feet in the former Barneys New York location. The conversion illustrates the property's strategy of reusing large retail spaces for office and flexible-work purposes.
Food and beverage · 2023
Destination dining and restaurant district
The complex has added upscale and experiential food-and-beverage concepts alongside its retail offer. Announced or referenced venues include Élephante, Catch Seafood, Luna, Pronto, Nobu, Tocaya Modern Mexican, and Zinque. Élephante's Scottsdale location was planned as a large indoor-outdoor venue with a cocktail lounge and an extensive wine program.
Controversies
2020
Vandalism and looting during George Floyd protests
The mall was vandalized and looted during unrest associated with the George Floyd protests after a curfew violation. Twelve arrests were reported, including Jake Paul, whose criminal-trespass and unlawful-assembly charges were later dismissed without prejudice while a federal investigation was considered.
2018
Fatal shooting involving off-duty security officer
An off-duty Scottsdale police officer working security at the property fatally shot a man in the Brown Parking Garage after responding to reports of erratic behavior. Police stated that the man raised a handgun after being ordered to stop. The officer was placed on paid administrative leave following the incident.
2015
Municipal bond and parking-garage controversy
A parking garage adjacent to the mall was leased to the City of Scottsdale under a long-term arrangement. After the city approved a bond-financed prepayment of the lease in 2012, the IRS notified the city in 2015 that the bond issuance was being challenged for possible noncompliance with federal tax requirements, including a potential public-purpose issue.
Marketing campaigns
- 2024Lunar New Year celebration
Scottsdale · Phoenix metropolitan area
Scottsdale Fashion Square partnered with Phoenix Chinese Week for a cultural celebration marking the Year of the Dragon. Programming included a dragon dance moving through the shopping center and was designed to connect the property with local Asian American cultural communities.
Outcome. The event reinforced the mall's role as a community and cultural venue in addition to its commercial function.
Brand decisions
2024
Open Caesars Republic ScottsdaleProduct launchBackground
The mall's redevelopment strategy increasingly emphasized hospitality, dining, and event uses alongside retail.
Action taken
Caesars Republic Scottsdale opened adjacent to the mall as an 11-story, 265-room hotel with event space, pools, and restaurants.
Aftermath
The opening expanded the destination's visitor infrastructure and represented Caesars Entertainment's first non-gaming United States property.
2023
Continue luxury-wing and southern Nordstrom redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Macerich aimed to create a more cohesive luxury environment and improve the relationship between interior mall areas and exterior-facing retail and dining.
Action taken
Renovation began on the southern Nordstrom wing, with plans for two-story storefronts, exterior retail buildings, destination restaurants, a porte cochere, and luxury valet service.
Aftermath
The project extended the 2017-2018 repositioning program and supported the property's broader mixed-use strategy.
2019
Repurpose former Barneys anchor spaceStrategyBackground
Barneys New York had announced the closure of its Scottsdale location, leaving a substantial former anchor premises available for alternative use.
Action taken
The space was converted into a two-story coworking center operated by Industrious.
Aftermath
The conversion diversified the complex's uses and introduced flexible office space into the mall.
2017
Launch luxury-focused mixed-use renovationStrategyBackground
Macerich sought to maintain the mall's premium market position while adding hospitality, office, residential, and experiential components.
Action taken
Construction began on a redevelopment program exceeding $100 million, including a luxury entrance, hospitality spaces, residential and hotel-related elements, and office space.
Aftermath
The renovation was completed in autumn 2018 and was followed by Apple's relocation to the property.
announced renovation value. more than $100 million planned investment (2016 announcement; construction 2017-2018)
2015
Add Dick's Sporting Goods and a 14-screen cinemaProduct launchBackground
The mall sought to add contemporary entertainment and active-lifestyle uses to its established department-store and luxury-retail base.
Action taken
A two-level building was developed with Dick's Sporting Goods on the lower level and a new Harkins Theatres cinema above.
Aftermath
The expansion broadened the property's tenant mix and visitor uses.
1996
Acquire Camelview Plaza and consolidate the propertyM&ABackground
Camelview Plaza had become a competing adjacent center, and its acquisition offered an opportunity to unify the retail complex.
Action taken
Westcor purchased Camelview Plaza and renamed the combined approximately 1.8-million-square-foot shopping plaza Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Aftermath
The consolidated site received a new Nordstrom wing and became a major luxury-oriented regional mall.
1982
Integrate Scottsdale Fashion Square with Camelview PlazaStrategyBackground
The two nearby shopping centers competed for shoppers and tenants, while their separation by North 70th Street limited the efficiency of the combined site.
Action taken
Westcor and the property owners connected the centers with a two-story retail bridge, reconstructed the intervening roadway, and undertook a comprehensive renovation.
Aftermath
The project created a larger, more coherent regional shopping destination and was completed in 1991.
Recent events
- 2025
Scottsdale Fashion Square receives USA Today 10Best recognition[1]
Other
The property was reported as ranking sixth in the United States in USA Today's Best Mall readers' choice category.
- 2024
Caesars Republic Scottsdale opens beside the mall[1]
Product launch
The 11-story, 265-room Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel opened to the public on March 6, expanding the Fashion Square complex into hospitality and event services.
- 2024
Scottsdale Fashion Square hosts Lunar New Year celebration[1]
Campaign
The mall partnered with Phoenix Chinese Week for a Year of the Dragon celebration featuring cultural programming and a dragon dance through the center.
- 2023
Élephante announces first expansion outside Los Angeles[1]
Product launch
Élephante announced a roughly 12,000-square-foot Scottsdale restaurant featuring indoor-outdoor seating, a cocktail lounge, and a menu centered on wood-fired pizzas, pasta, premium meats, and an extensive wine list.
- 2022
Macerich announces further luxury-wing redevelopment[1]
Other
Macerich described plans to extend luxury improvements through the southern Nordstrom wing, including two-story storefronts, exterior retail buildings, a porte cochere, restaurants, and valet services.
- 2021
Life Time Fitness announces Scottsdale Fashion Square club[1]
Product launch · Other
Life Time Fitness announced plans for a three-level fitness center of approximately 40,000 square feet near the property's luxury entrance.
- 2020
Scottsdale Fashion Square responds to COVID-19 disruption[1]
Regulation · Other
The property implemented enhanced hygiene and safety procedures during the pandemic and later received Bureau Veritas SafeGuard hygiene and safety certification.
- 2019
Former Barneys space becomes Industrious coworking center[1]
Other
The former Barneys New York premises were converted into a two-story coworking facility operated by Industrious.
- 2018
Apple opens relocated Scottsdale Fashion Square store[1]
Product launch
Apple opened a new store at Scottsdale Fashion Square after relocating from Biltmore Fashion Park.
- 2016
Barneys New York announces closure of Scottsdale Fashion Square store[1]
Other
Barneys New York announced that it would close its Scottsdale Fashion Square location, creating an opportunity for the property to redevelop the former anchor space.
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