Crossings at Siesta Key
A shopping center in Sarasota, Florida, known historically as Westfield Siesta Key and now operating as Crossings at Siesta Key.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Crossings at Siesta Key is a shopping center in Sarasota, Florida, whose history spans the evolution of American retail from an open-air neighborhood strip plaza to an enclosed regional shopping property and, more recently, a smaller mixed retail and entertainment center. The property opened on January 15, 1957, as South Gate Shopping Plaza, although some reference descriptions date its original opening to 1956. Its initial tenant mix included Publix, Winn-Dixie, W. T. Grant, and Woolworth, establishing the center as a conventional grocery and general-merchandise destination for the surrounding Sarasota community. The center expanded in 1961 when JCPenney joined the tenant lineup. A series of department-store changes followed in the late 1970s and 1980s. W. T. Grant closed in 1977, and its building was extensively renovated for Burdines, including the addition of an atrium and glass elevator that enabled the retailer to use part of the building's previously underused second floor. JCPenney departed in 1977 for Sarasota Square Mall, and Robinson's of Florida opened in its former space in October 1978. Robinson's Florida stores were subsequently sold to Maison Blanche, which rebranded the location in 1988. The property began adding enclosed retail space in 1981 and was fully enclosed by 1988, operating by then under the Southgate Plaza name. Its tenant profile became more upscale after Publix moved across the street to a larger store in 1994. The former Publix building was converted into a Saks Fifth Avenue location in 1996, while the center added retailers such as Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic. These changes positioned Southgate as a more fashion-oriented shopping destination within the Sarasota market. Westfield Group acquired the mall in 2002 and renamed it Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate. The “Shoppingtown” wording was removed in 2005, leaving the name Westfield Southgate. Burdines became Burdines-Macy's in 2004 and was fully converted to Macy's in 2005. The mall later faced anchor competition from the newly developed Mall at University Town Center. Saks Fifth Avenue announced in 2012 that it would relocate there, and Dillard's closed its Southgate store in 2014 to make the same move. The former Saks space was subsequently adapted for CineBistro, an upscale cinema and dining concept. On June 1, 2017, Westfield renamed the property Westfield Siesta Key. Lucky's Market and LA Fitness occupied portions of the former Dillard's space that year, but Lucky's closed on February 12, 2020, along with the chain's other Florida stores. Westfield sold its interest to partner O'Connor Capital Partners in December 2020, after which the property reverted to the Crossings at Siesta Key name. Benderson Development acquired the center in 2022. Macy's, the last major department-store anchor, was announced for closure in January 2025 and shut on March 23, 2025. The closure left the property without traditional anchor stores, although smaller retail, fitness, dining, and entertainment uses remain associated with the center.
History
Crossings at Siesta Key began as South Gate Shopping Plaza, an open-air strip center in Sarasota, Florida. It opened on January 15, 1957, following an original development period commonly associated with 1956. The first tenant group included Publix, Winn-Dixie, W. T. Grant, and Woolworth. The center's first major expansion came in 1961, when JCPenney added a department-store component to what had initially been a neighborhood-oriented shopping plaza. The property experienced substantial tenant turnover during the late 1970s and 1980s. W. T. Grant closed in 1977, and Burdines acquired and renovated the space. Burdines added an atrium and glass elevator, allowing the store to use a partial second floor that had not previously been part of the main sales area. JCPenney also left in 1977, relocating to Sarasota Square Mall. Robinson's of Florida opened in the former JCPenney space in October 1978. Robinson's later sold its Florida stores to Maison Blanche, and the Sarasota location was rebranded on March 28, 1988. An enclosed wing was added in 1981, and the entire center was enclosed by 1988. By this period it was generally known as Southgate Plaza. Publix moved to a larger building across the street in 1994, and the vacated space became Saks Fifth Avenue in 1996. The introduction of Saks and specialty retailers including Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor, and Banana Republic represented an effort to move the property toward a more upscale tenant mix. Westfield Group purchased the mall in 2002. It first used the name Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate, then removed the Shoppingtown suffix in June 2005, creating the Westfield Southgate identity. During the same period, Burdines was integrated into Macy's: the store became Burdines-Macy's on January 30, 2004, and adopted the Macy's name fully on March 6, 2005. The center's competitive position changed when the Mall at University Town Center was developed in Sarasota. Saks announced in 2012 that it would move there, while Dillard's closed at Southgate in 2014 and also relocated. The former Saks space was selected for conversion into CineBistro, a cinema and restaurant format announced by Cobb Theatres in late 2014. In 2017, portions of the former Dillard's space were occupied by Lucky's Market and LA Fitness. Westfield renamed the property Westfield Siesta Key on June 1 of that year. Lucky's Market closed on February 12, 2020, as the chain exited its Florida operations. In December 2020, Westfield sold its interest to O'Connor Capital Partners, resulting in the Crossings at Siesta Key name. Benderson Development purchased the property in 2022. Macy's, the last traditional department-store anchor, was included in a nationwide closure plan announced in January 2025 and shut its location on March 23, 2025. The center consequently lost its remaining anchor store, while continuing as a smaller shopping, dining, fitness, and entertainment property.
- 2025
Macy's closes
[1]Macy's closes on March 23 after being included in the retailer's nationwide store-closure plan, leaving the center without a traditional anchor.
- 2022
Benderson Development acquires the center
[1]Benderson Development becomes the property's owner.
- 2020
Westfield exits ownership
[1]Westfield sells its share to O'Connor Capital Partners in December, and the property resumes the Crossings at Siesta Key name.
- 2017
Property renamed Westfield Siesta Key
[1]Westfield changes the property's name on June 1 while new LA Fitness and Lucky's Market uses occupy part of the former Dillard's space.
- 2005
Westfield Southgate name adopted
[1]The Shoppingtown suffix is removed in June, leaving Westfield Southgate.
- 2002
Westfield acquires the mall
[1]Westfield Group purchases the property and introduces the Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate name.
- 1996
Saks Fifth Avenue opens
[1]The former Publix building becomes a Saks Fifth Avenue store after Publix moves across the street.
- 1988
The mall becomes fully enclosed
[1]The redevelopment is completed, and the property operates as an enclosed shopping center under the Southgate Plaza name.
- 1981
First enclosed wing is added
[1]The property begins its transition from an open-air plaza toward an enclosed mall.
- 1978
Robinson's of Florida opens
[1]Robinson's opens in the former JCPenney location in October.
Products and positioning
A Sarasota community shopping center that historically combined grocery stores, department stores, upscale specialty retail, dining, fitness, and cinema uses. Its current identity is shaped by smaller-format retail and services following the departure of its traditional department-store anchors.
Retail property · 1957
Shopping-center retail space
The property's core offering is leased retail space serving the Sarasota market. Historically, the center accommodated supermarkets, department stores, specialty fashion merchants, home-goods retailers, and other shopping uses. Its tenant mix has changed repeatedly as larger regional malls and newer developments altered the local retail hierarchy.
Fitness services · 2017
LA Fitness
LA Fitness occupies part of the space formerly associated with the Dillard's department store. Its presence reflects the center's shift toward service-oriented and experiential tenants rather than dependence on conventional department-store anchors.
Entertainment and dining · 2014
Cinebistro
Cinebistro is a cinema-and-dining concept associated with the former Saks Fifth Avenue space. The format combines movie exhibition with restaurant-style food and beverage service, providing an entertainment use within a previously retail-oriented anchor building.
Department store · 2005
Former Macy's department store
Macy's was the property's final traditional department-store anchor. The store descended from the former Burdines operation, was briefly identified as Burdines-Macy's during the corporate brand integration, and operated under the Macy's name from 2005 until its closure on March 23, 2025.
Brand decisions
2025
Close the Macy's anchorOtherBackground
Macy's included the Sarasota store in a nationwide plan to close 66 locations.
Action taken
The Macy's store closed on March 23, 2025, following the closure announcement on January 9.
Aftermath
The property was left without a traditional department-store anchor, reinforcing its transition toward smaller retail, service, dining, and entertainment uses.
2022
Benderson Development purchases Crossings at Siesta KeyM&ABackground
The shopping center remained part of a Sarasota retail market increasingly organized around newer regional developments.
Action taken
Benderson Development acquired the property.
Aftermath
The center came under the ownership of a company that also owns Mall at University Town Center, the destination to which several former Crossings anchors had relocated.
2020
Westfield sells its ownership interestM&ABackground
Westfield and O'Connor Capital Partners had operated the property in partnership, while the center faced continuing changes in its anchor and specialty-retail base.
Action taken
Westfield sold its share to O'Connor Capital Partners in December.
Aftermath
The property was renamed Crossings at Siesta Key, ending its period as a Westfield-branded center.
2017
Rebrand as Westfield Siesta KeyStrategyBackground
The property was adapting to anchor departures and changing consumer traffic patterns in the Sarasota retail market.
Action taken
Westfield renamed the center Westfield Siesta Key and introduced new uses including LA Fitness and Lucky's Market in part of the former Dillard's space.
Aftermath
Lucky's later closed in 2020, while the fitness and entertainment components became more important to the property's tenant profile.
2002
Westfield acquires the propertyM&ABackground
The established Sarasota shopping center was incorporated into Westfield's portfolio of retail properties.
Action taken
Westfield Group acquired the mall and renamed it Westfield Shoppingtown Southgate.
Aftermath
The Shoppingtown wording was later dropped, and the center operated for many years as Westfield Southgate before adopting the Westfield Siesta Key name.
1996
Convert the former Publix space for Saks Fifth AvenueStrategyBackground
Publix had moved across the street to a larger store, leaving a substantial building that could support a different retail concept.
Action taken
The vacant supermarket building was converted into a Saks Fifth Avenue location, accompanied by a more upscale specialty-retail mix.
Aftermath
Williams Sonoma, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and other higher-end tenants were added or emphasized in the center's repositioning.
1981
Begin enclosure of the shopping plazaStrategyBackground
The open-air Southgate property was evolving beyond a neighborhood strip center and needed a format capable of supporting a broader department-store and specialty-retail mix.
Action taken
The owner added the property's first enclosed wing, beginning a multiyear conversion.
Aftermath
The center was fully enclosed by 1988 and operated as a conventional enclosed mall.
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