Waterside Shops

Waterside Shops is an open-air luxury shopping center on Tamiami Trail in Pelican Bay, Florida, immediately north of Naples. The property opened in November 1992 and was designed around landscaped outdoor walkways, water features, Mediterranean-influenced architectural details, and a high-end tenant mix. Saks Fifth Avenue was the principal anchor at opening and remains the center's key department-store presence after the later departure of Nordstrom. The center opened with approximately 85 percent of its retail space leased. Its original design emphasized tropical planting, pond-like fountains, stone paths, and colonnaded elements. During the mid-2000s, the property underwent a substantial repositioning intended to strengthen its luxury identity. Landscaping and water features were updated, the visual language became more contemporary, and a number of less-exclusive businesses were replaced by premium fashion, jewelry, automotive, and lifestyle brands. This repositioning helped distinguish Waterside Shops from nearby open-air centers serving a broader middle-market audience. The property expanded its department-store and specialty-retail offer during the 2000s. Nordstrom announced plans in 2005 for an approximately 80,000-square-foot, two-level store, together with a new wing and additional inline retail space. The store opened in fall 2008 and became Nordstrom's first and only full-line location in Southwest Florida. Saks Fifth Avenue expanded its footprint and renovated its existing store beginning in 2007. The center's tenant roster has included internationally recognized names such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Tesla, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and other luxury and premium retailers. Waterside Shops remained relatively resilient through the 2010s, maintaining high occupancy despite tenant turnover that affected many conventional shopping centers. Its appeal has been tied to the purchasing power of the surrounding Naples and Pelican Bay market, its open-air setting, and its concentration of upscale brands. Nordstrom announced in 2020 that the Waterside location would close as part of a nationwide reduction of stores, leaving Saks Fifth Avenue as the only remaining traditional anchor. The center entered another redevelopment phase in 2024. Barnes & Noble closed its outparcel store in July as part of the bookseller's broader shift toward different store formats and locations. Plans submitted during the year called for demolition of the vacant Nordstrom building, relocation of Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn into a former Barnes & Noble building, and updates to common-area finishes, lighting, flooring, and other public-realm elements. Demolition of the former Nordstrom structure and an associated pedestrian bridge began in September 2024. The site has been proposed for redevelopment by RH, potentially including a multi-level gallery, substantial retail space, and a rooftop restaurant. Waterside Shops continues to operate as an upscale regional shopping destination under management by the Forbes Company.

Waterside Shops opened in November 1992 on Tamiami Trail in Pelican Bay, north of Naples, Florida. The open-air center began operations with about 85 percent of its retail space leased and Saks Fifth Avenue as its principal anchor. Its original design used Mediterranean-inspired architectural details, stone walkways, columns, dense tropical landscaping, and pond-like fountains. The combination of climate-appropriate outdoor circulation and upscale retail helped establish the center as a regional destination in Southwest Florida. The property was later repositioned to compete more directly in the luxury-shopping segment. A major overhaul beginning in the mid-2000s updated the landscaping and water features, introduced a more contemporary visual style, and replaced a number of middle-market tenants with more exclusive brands. The changes were intended to differentiate Waterside Shops from other nearby lifestyle centers and to align the property with the affluent customer base of Naples and Pelican Bay. In 2005, Nordstrom signed a letter of intent for a new two-level store of approximately 80,000 square feet. The project was conceived partly as a response to the closure of Jacobson's and included a new wing, additional inline space, and a landscaped pedestrian route. Nordstrom opened in fall 2008, becoming the chain's first and only full-line store in Southwest Florida. Around the same period, Saks Fifth Avenue expanded its building and began interior renovations. The new circulation areas incorporated palm trees, shaded seating, updated paving, and refreshed water elements. During the 2010s, the center experienced tenant changes but generally retained strong occupancy and a premium brand mix. Its stores included internationally known fashion, jewelry, automotive, and home brands. Since 2003, the property has been managed by the Forbes Company, a Southfield, Michigan-based operator associated with upscale shopping centers in Michigan and Florida. Nordstrom announced in May 2020 that it would permanently close its Waterside Shops location as part of a nationwide store-reduction program. The closure left Saks Fifth Avenue as the center's only traditional department-store anchor. In February 2024, Barnes & Noble's planned closure of its outparcel store was reported; the store closed on July 23, 2024. A further redevelopment program emerged in 2024. Proposed work included demolition of the long-vacant Nordstrom building, relocation of Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn into the former Barnes & Noble building, and improvements to lighting, floor finishes, and other common-area elements. Earlier discussions had considered Von Maur as a possible replacement for Nordstrom, but those plans did not proceed. Demolition of the former Nordstrom structure and its covered pedestrian bridge began in late September 2024. The site was then prepared for possible redevelopment by RH, with plans described as including a multi-level gallery, retail space, and a rooftop restaurant.

• 2024

  Redevelopment program advances

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  The center proposes removing the former Nordstrom building, relocating selected home-furnishing tenants, refreshing common areas, and redeveloping the former anchor site.

• 2020

  Nordstrom closes

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  Nordstrom permanently closes the location during a nationwide reduction of stores.

• 2008

  Nordstrom opens

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  Nordstrom opens its two-level Waterside Shops store in the fall, establishing the center's second major department-store anchor.

• 2007

  Saks Fifth Avenue expands

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  Saks Fifth Avenue enlarges its footprint and undertakes interior improvements at its Waterside Shops location.

• 2006

  Major center renovation begins

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  A broad renovation updates the water features, landscaping, and pedestrian circulation, including a palm-lined route toward the planned Nordstrom store.

• 2005

  Nordstrom plans a new store

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  Nordstrom signs a letter of intent for an approximately 80,000-square-foot, two-level store and a related expansion wing.

• 2003

  Forbes Company begins management

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  The Forbes Company takes over management of the property and continues operating it as an upscale shopping center.

• 1992

  Waterside Shops opens

  [1]Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org

  The open-air shopping center opens in November in Pelican Bay with Saks Fifth Avenue as its anchor and approximately 85 percent of its retail area leased.

A luxury-oriented open-air shopping center serving affluent residents, seasonal visitors, and tourists in the Naples and Pelican Bay market.

• Apparel and accessories · 1992

  Luxury fashion and accessories

  Waterside Shops' core offer consists of upscale and luxury fashion boutiques selling designer clothing, handbags, footwear, accessories, and related personal goods. Brands cited in descriptions of the center include Gucci and Louis Vuitton, reflecting its orientation toward affluent local, seasonal, and tourist shoppers.

• Department store · 1992

  Saks Fifth Avenue

  Saks Fifth Avenue has served as the center's principal anchor since opening. Its offering spans designer apparel, shoes, handbags, cosmetics, jewelry, and other luxury merchandise. The store expanded its footprint and underwent interior improvements in the late 2000s and remained the principal traditional department-store anchor after Nordstrom's departure.

• Home retail

  Home furnishings and décor

  The center has included premium home retailers such as Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn. A 2024 redevelopment plan proposed moving their longtime inline locations into a two-level building formerly occupied by Barnes & Noble, consolidating and refreshing this part of the tenant mix.

• Shopping-center services · 1992

  Luxury shopping-center experience

  Rather than selling a single branded product, Waterside Shops provides an open-air retail environment with landscaped concourses, water features, shaded seating, premium tenant services, and dining or lifestyle uses. Its physical setting is a central part of the property's positioning as a destination shopping experience.

• 2024

  Redevelop the former Nordstrom siteStrategy

  Background

  The former Nordstrom building had remained vacant for several years, and earlier discussions about a possible Von Maur reuse did not result in a completed project.

  Action taken

  The property proposed demolishing the former department-store building, moving Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn into the former Barnes & Noble building, upgrading common areas, and pursuing an RH gallery with possible rooftop dining.

  Aftermath

  Demolition of the former Nordstrom building and a nearby pedestrian bridge began in September 2024. The site was graded for future redevelopment.

  Source

• 2006

  Reposition the property toward luxury retailStrategy

  Background

  The center aimed to distinguish itself from nearby open-air lifestyle malls with broader and more middle-market tenant mixes.

  Action taken

  The property updated water features, landscaping, circulation areas, and visual finishes while replacing some less-exclusive tenants with higher-end brands.

  Aftermath

  Waterside Shops developed a more contemporary luxury identity and maintained a strong premium tenant roster through the following decade.

  Source

• 2005

  Add Nordstrom and create a new retail wingStrategy

  Background

  The property sought to replace space associated with the closed Jacobson's department store and strengthen its appeal as a regional luxury destination.

  Action taken

  Waterside Shops pursued a new two-level Nordstrom store of approximately 80,000 square feet, together with a connecting wing and additional inline retail space.

  Aftermath

  Nordstrom opened in fall 2008 and became the center's second major department-store anchor until its closure in 2020.

  Source

1. 1Waterside Shopsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Waterside Shops official websitewatersideshops.com