Broward Mall

Broward Mall is a regional shopping center in Plantation, Florida, United States. It opened in August 1978 under the Broward Mall name and was developed as a major enclosed retail destination for Broward County. Its original anchor lineup included Burdines, Sears, and Jordan Marsh, with JCPenney added the following year. The center was part of a broader generation of South Florida suburban malls that combined department stores, specialty retailers, dining, and entertainment under one roof. Over time, the mall’s anchor portfolio changed along with the American department-store sector. Burdines became part of Macy’s, while the former Jordan Marsh and later Mervyn’s space became associated with Dillard’s. JCPenney remained an anchor, and Sears continued operating for many years before the store was reduced in size in 2017 and closed in 2018. The former Sears space was identified for redevelopment and potential entertainment and fitness uses, including plans involving Powerhouse Gym and GameTime, although the referenced material does not establish the final status of those projects. The property changed hands several times. Mills Corporation acquired the mall from Toronto-based Cadillac Fairview Corporation in 2003. Mills was then acquired by an entity associated with Simon Property Group and Farallon Capital Management through SPG-FCM Ventures in 2007. Westfield subsequently acquired the property in 2007 and operated it as Westfield Broward. In 2017, Westfield became part of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, linking the mall to one of the world’s largest shopping-center groups. Entertainment became a more prominent part of the center’s offer when a 12-screen Regal Cinemas complex opened in December 2013. The cinema complemented the mall’s retail and food-and-beverage mix and helped position the property as a broader leisure destination rather than solely a department-store center. In June 2021, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that ownership would be transferred to lenders after the property’s value fell below the outstanding loan balance and loan payments had stopped. Following the transfer, the Westfield branding was removed and the property returned to its original Broward Mall name. The current ownership structure is not identified in the supplied reference material. Broward Mall remains an active local shopping and entertainment destination, with its identity shaped by its Plantation location, department-store anchors, specialty retail, dining, and cinema offerings.

Broward Mall opened in August 1978 in Plantation, Florida. Its initial department-store anchors were Burdines, Sears, and Jordan Marsh, with Jordan Marsh beginning operations at the center in November of the opening year. JCPenney was added in 1979. The mall was established during the expansion of enclosed suburban shopping centers in South Florida, serving a growing population in and around Broward County. The property’s anchor mix evolved as department-store companies consolidated or exited the market. Burdines was eventually converted to Macy’s. The former Jordan Marsh location, later associated with Mervyn’s, became a Dillard’s store. JCPenney continued as an anchor, while Sears remained an important component of the mall until its later downsizing and closure. This pattern reflected broader changes in American retail, including the decline of traditional department stores and the conversion of large anchor boxes to new retail, service, fitness, or entertainment uses. Ownership also changed repeatedly. Cadillac Fairview Corporation sold the mall to Mills Corporation in 2003. In 2007, Mills was acquired by SPG-FCM Ventures, a 50/50 venture involving an entity owned by Simon Property Group and funds managed by Farallon Capital Management. Westfield acquired the property later in 2007 and renamed it Westfield Broward. After the formation of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the mall operated within that international shopping-center portfolio. The mall added a major entertainment component in 2013. A 12-screen Regal Cinemas complex was announced in February of that year and opened in December. The cinema broadened the property’s role as a destination for leisure and dining as well as shopping. In 2015, Sears Holdings separated ownership of numerous Sears properties into Seritage Growth Properties, and the Sears real estate associated with Westfield Broward was included in that transaction. In 2017, the Sears store was reduced by half, allowing other businesses, including Noire the Nail Bar, to use portions of the former footprint. Sears closed at the mall in 2018. Plans referenced in the available material contemplated Powerhouse Gym and GameTime uses in the former store’s first- and second-floor areas, but the supplied sources do not confirm the ultimate completion or operating status of those plans. A major ownership and branding change occurred in 2021. Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield disclosed that the property would be handed over to lenders after the mall’s value fell below the outstanding loan balance and loan payments stopped. Once the transfer occurred, the Westfield name was removed, and the center returned to its original Broward Mall identity. The current owner is not specified in the available references. The mall remains an operating retail and entertainment property in Plantation, anchored by a mixture of department-store, specialty-retail, food, service, and cinema uses.

• 2021

  Property returns to Broward Mall name

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Following a transfer of ownership to lenders, the Westfield branding is removed and the center resumes its original Broward Mall name.

• 2018

  Sears closes

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Sears store at the mall closes after its earlier reduction in size.

• 2017

  Sears footprint is reduced

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Sears store is reduced by approximately half, allowing new businesses and services to occupy part of the former space.

• 2015

  Sears real estate is included in Seritage spin-off

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The Sears property at Westfield Broward is among the assets separated into Seritage Growth Properties by Sears Holdings.

• 2013

  Regal Cinemas is announced

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  A 12-screen Regal Cinemas complex is announced for the mall.

• 2013

  Regal Cinemas opens

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The 12-screen cinema opens in December, strengthening the mall’s entertainment component.

• 2007

  Westfield becomes owner

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  After the Mills acquisition by SPG-FCM Ventures, Westfield acquires the mall and later operates it as Westfield Broward.

• 2003

  Mills acquires the property

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Mills Corporation acquires Broward Mall from Cadillac Fairview Corporation.

• 1979

  JCPenney is added

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  JCPenney is constructed at the center one year after the mall opens.

• 1978

  Broward Mall opens

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  The mall opens in Plantation in August with Burdines, Sears, and Jordan Marsh as its original anchors.

• 1978

  Jordan Marsh begins operations

  [1]Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org

  Jordan Marsh makes its debut at the mall in November of the opening year.

A suburban regional mall combining department stores, specialty retail, services, dining, and entertainment for consumers in Plantation and the wider western Broward County area.

• Retail · 1978

  Department-store retail

  Broward Mall’s department-store offer has historically included Burdines, Sears, Jordan Marsh, JCPenney, Dillard’s, and Macy’s. The current and historical anchor mix reflects the changing structure of American department-store retail, including brand conversions, downsizing, and store closures.

• Retail and personal services · 1978

  Specialty retail and services

  The center provides a range of specialty shopping and service uses, including apparel, accessories, beauty, jewelry, food, and personal-care businesses. The exact tenant roster changes over time and is not fully specified in the supplied reference material.

• Entertainment · 2013

  Regal Cinemas

  A 12-screen Regal Cinemas complex opened at the mall in December 2013. The cinema added a significant entertainment use to the center and complemented its retail, dining, and leisure functions.

• Property redevelopment · 2017

  Redevelopment of former Sears space

  After Sears reduced its store footprint in 2017 and closed in 2018, portions of the former anchor area were made available for other uses. The available reference identifies Noire the Nail Bar and proposed Powerhouse Gym and GameTime projects, but does not confirm the final tenant configuration.

• 2021

  Transfer the mall to lendersStrategy

  Background

  The property’s value fell below the outstanding loan balance, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield stopped making payments on the loan.

  Action taken

  Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced that ownership of the mall would be transferred to its lenders.

  Aftermath

  The Westfield name was removed and the property returned to the Broward Mall name. The current owner is not identified in the supplied sources.

  Source

• 2017

  Reduce and repurpose the Sears anchorStrategy

  Background

  Sears Holdings was restructuring its store network and had separated many property interests into Seritage Growth Properties.

  Action taken

  The Sears store was reduced by half, with other shops and services introduced into portions of the former footprint.

  Aftermath

  Sears closed at the mall in 2018, and redevelopment concepts were associated with the vacated space.

  Source

• 2013

  Add a 12-screen Regal Cinemas complexProduct launch

  Background

  The mall sought to strengthen its entertainment offer and broaden its appeal beyond traditional shopping.

  Action taken

  A 12-screen Regal Cinemas complex was announced in February 2013 and opened in December of that year.

  Aftermath

  The cinema became part of the mall’s retail-and-leisure proposition.

  Source

1. 1Broward Mallen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Broward Mall official websitevisitbrowardmall.com