Westfield Sarasota Square
Retailer / private label
UnclaimedA former enclosed shopping mall near Sarasota, Florida, later redeveloped after closing in 2024.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Sarasota Square Mall was an enclosed shopping center near Sarasota, Florida, at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 41 and Beneva Road. It opened in 1977 and operated under the Westfield Sarasota Square name for much of the 2000s and 2010s. Although the property was ultimately closed and largely demolished, Costco and JCPenney continued operating as freestanding stores after the enclosed mall ceased operations. The project was announced in 1976 by Arlen Realty and Development Corporation, a predecessor of CBL & Associates Properties. Its original anchor plan centered on Maas Brothers and JCPenney, with J. Byrons as a smaller anchor and an AMC cinema. JCPenney relocated from nearby Southgate Shopping Plaza when the mall opened. The formal grand opening took place on September 28, 1977, following the opening of several initial tenants and facilities in August. Early stores included Camelot Music, Kinney Shoes, and Morrison's Cafeteria. Sears joined the property in 1979 as an additional northern anchor. The entertainment offer expanded in 1983 when AMC added a second six-screen theater, bringing the site to twelve screens. After J. Byrons departed in 1985, its space became the Trellis Garden Food Court. A later expansion added Parisian, which opened in 1989. Parisian was replaced by Dillard's in 1996 after Parisian closed and the property pursued a new department-store arrangement. The department-store mix changed repeatedly. Maas Brothers became Burdines in 1991, then Burdines-Macy's in 2004, and finally Macy's in 2005. Dillard's closed in 2009, and its former building was replaced by a Costco warehouse that opened in 2012. Sears and Macy's both closed in 2017, significantly reducing the mall's traditional anchor base. Westfield Group acquired the center in 2003 from the Coyote Group and initially renamed it Westfield Shoppingtown Sarasota Square. The word “Shoppingtown” was removed in 2005. Westfield refurbished the property in 2006, adding a new twelve-screen AMC theater between Dillard's and JCPenney and creating an adjoining food court. In 2019, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that the center would return to the Sarasota Square name and drop the Westfield branding. The property experienced financial and operational pressure as enclosed-mall traffic and anchor occupancy weakened. In 2020, the mortgage noteholder, U.S. Bank National Association, began foreclosure proceedings after a reported default connected with the mall's mortgage-backed securities loan. Torburn Partners acquired the property in 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the site also served as a county-operated vaccination clinic from January through June 2021, where the Sarasota County Department of Health reported administering more than 150,000 Moderna doses. Torburn Partners proposed a major mixed-use redevelopment in 2023. The plan called for demolishing most of the enclosed mall while retaining Costco and JCPenney, adding approximately 1,200 apartments, and introducing new mixed retail over an estimated five- to seven-year build-out. AMC closed on October 31, 2024, and the mall shut down later that year. Demolition began in February 2025. The former AMC structure remained vacant, while Costco and JCPenney operated separately. In June 2025, Costco reportedly purchased the property on which its store stood for $10.5 million.
History
Sarasota Square Mall was planned in 1976 by Arlen Realty and Development Corporation, a predecessor of CBL & Associates Properties. The initial concept called for Maas Brothers and JCPenney as principal anchors, J. Byrons as a smaller anchor, and a six-screen AMC cinema. JCPenney was intended to relocate from nearby Southgate Shopping Plaza. Maas Brothers, J. Byrons, and AMC began opening on August 4, 1977, followed by the mall's formal grand opening on September 28. Early tenants included Camelot Music, Kinney Shoes, and Morrison's Cafeteria. The property expanded its anchor and entertainment offering in 1979 when Sears opened on the northern portion reserved for another large store. AMC added a second six-screen theater in 1983, producing a twelve-screen cinema operation split between an interior theater and a separate building. J. Byrons left in 1985, and its space was converted into the Trellis Garden Food Court, which opened in March 1986. Construction on an eastward expansion began that year and eventually added Parisian. The Alabama-based department store opened at the mall in November 1989. Department-store identities changed during the 1990s and 2000s. Maas Brothers was merged into Burdines in 1991, although the local store remained open. The location was renamed Burdines-Macy's in 2004 and became fully Macy's in 2005. Parisian closed in January 1996, after which Dillard's opened in the former Parisian building in March. Dillard's remained until December 2009. The building was later demolished and replaced by Costco, which opened in August 2012. Westfield Group acquired the center in 2003 from the Coyote Group. It first used the name Westfield Shoppingtown Sarasota Square and removed “Shoppingtown” in 2005. In 2006, Westfield carried out a substantial refurbishment, including improvements to the interior and exterior, a new twelve-screen AMC theater between Dillard's and JCPenney, and an adjoining food court. The two earlier six-screen cinemas closed. In July 2019, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that the center would again be called Sarasota Square, ending the Westfield name in the property's public branding. The mall's later history reflected the broader weakening of many traditional department-store centers. Macy's announced a nationwide closure program in 2017 that included its Sarasota Square store; the store closed on March 26. Sears also announced a closure as part of a separate national reduction and closed on September 18. In 2015, Sears Holdings had spun off numerous properties, including the Sarasota Square Sears location, into Seritage Growth Properties. Financial stress became public in 2020. U.S. Bank National Association, the mall's noteholder, pursued foreclosure action after Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield was notified of a default involving the property's mortgage-backed securities loan. Torburn Partners acquired the property in 2021. During the pandemic, the Florida Department of Health operated a county vaccination clinic at the mall between January and June 2021. Sarasota County health officials said the clinic delivered more than 150,000 Moderna doses. In May 2023, Torburn Partners proposed a broad redevelopment. Most of the enclosed mall would be removed, while Costco and JCPenney would remain as independent stores. The concept included roughly 1,200 apartments and mixed retail, with construction expected to occur over five to seven years. AMC closed on October 31, 2024. The enclosed mall closed later in 2024, and demolition began in February 2025. The former AMC structure remained vacant. In June 2025, Costco reportedly purchased the parcel containing its store for $10.5 million, further separating the surviving warehouse from the former mall complex.
- 2025
Demolition begins
[1]Most of the enclosed mall was demolished, leaving Costco and JCPenney as separate operating stores.
- 2024
Mall closes
[1]AMC closed in October and the enclosed mall shut later in the year.
- 2023
Redevelopment plan proposed
[1]A plan for apartments and mixed retail proposed removing most of the enclosed mall while retaining Costco and JCPenney.
- 2021
Torburn Partners acquires property
[1]Torburn Partners became the property's owner after foreclosure-related financial distress.
- 2017
Macy's and Sears close
[1]The mall lost two major anchors when Macy's and Sears ended operations.
- 2012
Costco opens
[1]Costco opened on the former Dillard's site.
- 2006
Major refurbishment completed
[1]The property received physical upgrades and a new twelve-screen AMC theater and food court.
- 2003
Westfield acquisition
[1]Westfield Group acquired the mall and introduced Westfield branding.
- 1996
Dillard's opens
[1]Dillard's replaced Parisian in the former Parisian building.
- 1991
Maas Brothers becomes Burdines
[1]The original Maas Brothers anchor adopted the Burdines name.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center serving Sarasota and surrounding communities, historically positioned around department-store anchors, specialty retail, dining, and cinema entertainment. In its later phase, the property shifted toward surviving freestanding anchors and mixed-use redevelopment.
Retail real estate · 1977
Enclosed shopping mall
The principal offering was a regional enclosed shopping environment combining department stores, specialty retailers, dining, services, and entertainment. Its anchor mix changed over time, including Maas Brothers, JCPenney, Sears, Parisian, Dillard's, Macy's, and later Costco. The enclosed mall closed in late 2024 and was largely demolished beginning in 2025.
Entertainment · 1977
AMC cinema facilities
AMC operated the original six-screen cinema from the mall's opening and added a second six-screen theater in 1983. A replacement twelve-screen AMC theater opened in 2006 as part of Westfield's refurbishment. The cinema closed on October 31, 2024.
Food and beverage · 1986
Trellis Garden Food Court
The food court was created in the former J. Byrons anchor space after that store closed. It opened in March 1986 and was later remodeled as part of the 2006 mall renovation, when additional retail space was incorporated.
Warehouse retail · 2012
Costco warehouse
Costco opened in 2012 on the site of the former Dillard's building. It survived the closure and demolition of most of the enclosed mall as a freestanding warehouse store. In 2025, Costco reportedly purchased the property containing its location.
Department store · 1977
JCPenney department store
JCPenney was an original anchor and relocated from nearby Southgate Shopping Plaza when Sarasota Square opened. It was retained as a freestanding store in the redevelopment approach after the enclosed mall closed.
Brand decisions
2023
Mixed-use redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
Declining enclosed-mall occupancy and anchor closures prompted a plan for a different use of the site.
Action taken
Torburn Partners proposed demolishing most of the mall, retaining Costco and JCPenney, adding approximately 1,200 apartments, and introducing mixed retail.
Aftermath
The mall closed in 2024 and demolition began in 2025, with the two retained stores operating separately.
2019
Return to Sarasota Square brandingStrategyBackground
The owner reassessed the value of the Westfield identity at the property.
Action taken
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that the shopping center would drop Westfield from its name.
Aftermath
The center returned to its original Sarasota Square branding before ultimately closing.
2012
Conversion of former Dillard's site to CostcoStrategyBackground
Dillard's closed its Sarasota Square store in 2009, leaving a major anchor building available.
Action taken
The former Dillard's building was demolished and replaced by a Costco warehouse, which opened in 2012.
Aftermath
Costco became one of the property's surviving major retail destinations.
2006
Entertainment and food-court modernizationStrategyBackground
The mall sought to update its facilities and strengthen its entertainment offer.
Action taken
Westfield refurbished the property, built a new twelve-screen AMC theater, and added an adjoining food court.
Aftermath
The two earlier six-screen theaters closed and the original food-court area was remodeled for additional retail space.
2003
Westfield acquisition and rebrandingM&ABackground
Westfield Group acquired the shopping center from the Coyote Group.
Action taken
The property was renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Sarasota Square, later shortened to Westfield Sarasota Square.
Aftermath
Westfield undertook a major refurbishment and later removed its name from the property in 2019.
Sources2 sources
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