The Florida Mall

The Florida Mall is a large enclosed shopping and entertainment complex in unincorporated Orange County, immediately south of Orlando, Florida. It occupies the southeast corner of Orange Blossom Trail and Sand Lake Road, near State Road 528, Florida's Turnpike, Orlando International Airport, and the region's principal tourism destinations. Its location gives it a dual role: it serves Central Florida residents as a conventional regional mall while also functioning as a destination for domestic and international visitors staying near Orlando's theme parks and airport. The property opened on March 12, 1986, after development work associated with DeBartolo Realty and JCP Realty, a subsidiary of J.C. Penney. The initial complex included Sears, JCPenney, Belk-Lindsey, Robinson's, and a hotel. Several original and later department-store tenants changed identities as retailers consolidated or were acquired. Over time, the center added or replaced anchors including Dillard's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Gayfers, Parisian, Burdines, Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Crayola Experience. A major redevelopment began in 1998. The approximately $70 million project removed many of the mall's original themed interior elements, reconfigured the department-store layout, and created a new wing anchored by Burdines, which later became Macy's. Further expansion brought Central Florida's first Nordstrom location, while later anchor changes converted the former Nordstrom into Dick's Sporting Goods and Crayola Experience. The former Lord & Taylor site was demolished and redeveloped as an outdoor-oriented retail area containing brands such as Forever 21, H&M, Zara, and American Girl. The Florida Mall's tenant mix combines department stores, fashion retailers, sporting-goods and specialty stores, children's experiences, restaurants, and visitor-oriented services. Its facilities have included a large Dining Pavilion, numerous quick-service and sit-down restaurants, valet parking, currency exchange, and baggage and package services. An attached 511-room hotel and conference center extends the property beyond standard retail and supports tourism, meetings, and overnight stays. The mall has approximately 1.7 million square feet of gross leasable area and more than 250 retailers, with published descriptions also listing roughly 294 retailers depending on the measurement date and tenant count. It is generally described as the largest mall in Central Florida and one of the largest single-level malls in the United States. Its anchor and junior-anchor roster has included Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, Primark, H&M, Zara, Old Navy, Crayola Experience, and other major national brands. As of 2025, a portion of the former Sears space was being converted for Round1 entertainment, while Sears continued in a reduced footprint. The mall remains active under Simon Property Group management.

The Florida Mall was developed in the south Orlando area by DeBartolo Realty and JCP Realty, Inc. Development activity began before the formal construction announcement, and DeBartolo announced the project publicly on February 15, 1983, with an anticipated opening in 1985. Sears, JCPenney, Belk-Lindsey, Robinson's, and Jordan Marsh were selected as intended anchors during the planning period. Jordan Marsh encountered delays and ultimately did not open as planned. The mall opened on March 12, 1986, with Sears, JCPenney, Belk-Lindsey, and a Crowne Plaza hotel operating at the complex. Robinson's joined the tenant lineup later that year. The original design used several themed areas influenced by other DeBartolo properties, including Art Deco, Victorian, and Mediterranean motifs, together with a large single-level layout and space-frame ceiling. Anchor identities changed repeatedly during the late 1980s and 1990s. Robinson's became Maison Blanche in 1987, and the hotel changed from Crowne Plaza to Sheraton Plaza in 1988. Dillard's opened two stores at the eastern end in 1991. Maison Blanche became Gayfers in 1992, while Belk was replaced by Saks Fifth Avenue in 1996. The hotel was later sold and became Adam's Mark. Gayfers became Parisian in 1998. A substantial redevelopment started in 1998. The project removed much of the original themed interior, demolished one of the two Dillard's structures, and created a new approximately 200,000-square-foot wing. Burdines opened in the new wing in 1999. Lord & Taylor replaced Parisian in 2002. Burdines became part of Macy's in 2003 and adopted the Macy's name in 2005. The attached hotel was acquired by a new ownership group in 2004 and renamed The Florida Hotel & Conference Center. Lord & Taylor closed in 2006, and its building was demolished in 2007. The site was redeveloped into an outdoor plaza that opened in 2009 with Forever 21, H&M, and Zara. American Girl was added in 2014. Saks Fifth Avenue closed in 2014, and its former space was rebuilt into a new retail and dining area. The former food court was also reconfigured, with additional retail and dining space and a larger Dining Pavilion. Nordstrom announced its closure in 2014. Its former anchor was redesigned for Dick's Sporting Goods and Crayola Experience, which opened in 2015. The complex continued to add recognizable retailers and food operators, including Shake Shack in 2017. In 2019, the mall hosted Cirque du Soleil's touring show Luzia under the company's touring big top. Forever 21 moved from its earlier location near American Girl to a smaller space beside the Dining Pavilion in 2023. Primark opened in the former large Forever 21 anchor on August 29, 2024. Following the wider Forever 21 chain's 2025 closure announcement, the relocated mall store closed on May 1 of that year. The former Sears premises then became part of another repositioning effort: Round1 began construction on an arcade and entertainment venue in part of the space in 2025, while Sears continued operating on a reduced footprint. The Round1 location was expected to open in 2026. Simon Property Group currently manages the mall and owns a 50 percent interest. That ownership position followed the 1996 merger of Simon and DeBartolo Realty into Simon DeBartolo Group. With more than 1.7 million square feet of leasable area, over 250 stores, substantial dining capacity, an attached hotel, and proximity to Orlando's tourism infrastructure, The Florida Mall continues to operate as a major regional and visitor-oriented retail destination.

• 2025

  Round1 redevelopment announced and started

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Part of Sears was leased for a Round1 arcade, with construction beginning and an expected 2026 opening.

• 2024

  Primark opens

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Primark opened on August 29 in the former large Forever 21 space.

• 2017

  Shake Shack opens

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Shake Shack became part of the mall's dining offer.

• 2015

  Former Nordstrom converted

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The former Nordstrom anchor was redesigned for Dick's Sporting Goods and Crayola Experience.

• 2009

  Former Lord & Taylor site becomes outdoor plaza

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The demolished Lord & Taylor site was redeveloped with Forever 21, H&M, and Zara.

• 1999

  Burdines wing opens

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A new approximately 200,000-square-foot wing opened with Burdines as its anchor.

• 1998

  Major redevelopment begins

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A major renovation removed themed interior features and created a new wing, later anchored by Burdines.

• 1991

  Dillard's joins the anchor lineup

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Dillard's opened two stores at the eastern end of the mall.

• 1986

  Mall opens

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Florida Mall opened on March 12 with Sears, JCPenney, Belk-Lindsey, and a Crowne Plaza hotel; Robinson's followed later in the year.

• 1983

  Development publicly announced

  [1]The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org

  DeBartolo announced plans for the shopping mall on February 15, 1983.

A high-volume super-regional enclosed mall positioned between a traditional Central Florida shopping center and a visitor-oriented retail, dining, and entertainment destination.

• Retail · 1986

  Department-store retail

  The mall's department-store component has historically included JCPenney, Dillard's, Macy's, and Sears. These stores provide broad assortments spanning apparel, accessories, home goods, beauty, seasonal merchandise, and other general retail categories. The exact anchor lineup has changed repeatedly as national chains consolidated, rebranded, or closed.

• Apparel · 1986

  Fashion and specialty retail

  The Florida Mall combines national fashion chains with specialty retailers. Its documented lineup has included Primark, H&M, Zara, Old Navy, American Girl, and other apparel, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle concepts. This category supports both everyday shopping and tourist-oriented browsing.

• Sporting goods · 2015

  Dick's Sporting Goods

  Dick's Sporting Goods occupies space created through the redevelopment of the former Nordstrom anchor. The store expands the mall's offer beyond fashion and department-store retail with sporting equipment, athletic apparel, footwear, outdoor products, and related accessories.

• Entertainment · 2015

  Crayola Experience

  Crayola Experience is an interactive, family-oriented attraction located in the former Nordstrom redevelopment. It provides hands-on creative activities and branded entertainment, reinforcing the mall's role as a destination for families and visitors rather than solely a conventional retail center.

• Food and beverage · 2014

  Dining Pavilion

  The Dining Pavilion is a large food-and-beverage area created as part of the mall's later redevelopment. Published descriptions identify approximately 105,000 square feet of dining space, with a mixture of quick-service restaurants and sit-down venues. The broader property also includes numerous individual restaurants and food operators.

• Entertainment · 2026

  Round1

  Round1 is planned as an arcade and entertainment venue in part of the former Sears space. Construction began in 2025, while Sears continued to operate in a reduced footprint. The venue was expected to open in 2026, but an operating opening date is not confirmed in the supplied sources.

• 2019Luzia at The Florida Mall

  Orlando · Central Florida

  The mall hosted Cirque du Soleil's touring production Luzia in a temporary big-top venue. The engagement extended the property's destination strategy into large-scale cultural and live entertainment.

  Outcome. The engagement was presented as the first time Cirque du Soleil's touring big top had been raised in the Orlando area.

  Source

• 2025

  Reposition part of Sears for Round1Strategy

  Background

  The mall sought to use part of the Sears footprint for a contemporary entertainment concept while retaining Sears in the remaining space.

  Action taken

  Round1 leased a portion of the Sears store and began construction of an arcade and entertainment venue.

  Aftermath

  Round1 was scheduled to open in 2026, subject to completion of construction and final operations.

  Source

• 2024

  Open Primark in former Forever 21 anchorProduct launch

  Background

  A large anchor space became available after Forever 21 relocated to a smaller unit.

  Action taken

  Primark opened in the former large Forever 21 location on August 29, 2024.

  Aftermath

  The move added a major international value-fashion retailer to the mall's anchor lineup.

  Source

• 2015

  Convert former Nordstrom anchorGeneration change

  Background

  Nordstrom announced that its Florida Mall store would close, creating a major vacant anchor opportunity.

  Action taken

  The space was redesigned for Dick's Sporting Goods and Crayola Experience.

  Aftermath

  The redevelopment diversified the property toward sporting goods and family entertainment.

  Source

• 1998

  Approve major mall redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The property undertook a substantial renovation to modernize its interior and increase retail capacity.

  Action taken

  The project removed many original themed elements, demolished one Dillard's structure, and created a new approximately 200,000-square-foot wing.

  Aftermath

  The new wing opened with Burdines in 1999 and later became part of the Macy's anchor network.

  Renovation cost. $70 million (1998 renovation)

  Source

1. 1The Florida Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2The Florida Mall official property pagesimon.com