Miami International Mall
Enclosed shopping mall in Doral, Florida, serving the southwestern Miami metropolitan area.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Miami International Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Doral, Florida, in the southwestern portion of the Miami metropolitan area. The property is located near Miami International Airport, which helped inspire its name, and is approximately half a mile from Dolphin Mall, another major regional shopping destination with an international-oriented retail proposition. The mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and opened in 1982. The center began with a traditional department-store anchor mix. Its original anchors were Burdines, Jordan Marsh, and Sears, with Sears opening in July 1983. Lord & Taylor was added in 1985, expanding the mall's department-store offering during a period when enclosed regional malls were a central part of South Florida's retail landscape. JCPenney subsequently opened at the property in 1992. Over time, the original anchor portfolio changed substantially as department-store companies consolidated, rebranded, or withdrew from the market. Jordan Marsh was converted into a Burdines location focused on men's apparel, home merchandise, and furniture. Burdines later became Macy's in 2005 as part of the nationwide conversion of the Burdines and Burdines Men's stores. The former Lord & Taylor building went through several identities: it became Mervyn's in 1991, was sold to Dillard's in 1997, and ultimately became a Kohl's store. Kohl's opened in the building in September 2011. The mall's current department-store presence includes JCPenney, Macy's, and a Macy's Men's Store, according to the mall's referenced description. Miami International Mall underwent a substantial renovation beginning in 2000 and marked its grand reopening in 2001. The work modernized the interior and removed older decorative features, including trees and fountains. The redevelopment also expanded the original Burdines building with a second floor, which later served Macy's women's and children's departments. The renovation helped the center remain competitive as the Miami-area retail environment changed and as Dolphin Mall opened nearby in 2001. The property has also experienced anchor departures and proposed redevelopment. Sears announced in August 2018 that its Miami International Mall store would close. Various reuse concepts were considered for the vacant site, including residential development. The plan that advanced involved a new mixed-use district with luxury apartments, organized in multiple phases and led by Greystar Development. The first two phases were submitted for review in 2026 and involve redevelopment of the former Sears site with six-story residential components. Kohl's announced in January 2024 that its store would close on January 13. The building was subsequently sold to Elev8 Fun, which announced plans to convert it into an indoor adventure and entertainment park. The Elev8 Fun project was under construction as of 2026 and was projected to open in summer 2026. Through these changes, Miami International Mall has remained an active regional shopping center while adapting its anchor spaces to new retail, entertainment, and residential uses.
History
Miami International Mall was developed by the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation and opened in 1982 in what is now Doral, Florida. Its location in the southwestern Miami metropolitan area placed it close to Miami International Airport and helped distinguish it from other regional malls in the area. The center was built during the expansion of enclosed shopping malls across South Florida and initially followed the conventional regional-mall model, with several large department stores serving as anchors and a broad collection of specialty retailers occupying the enclosed interior. The original anchor lineup consisted of Burdines, Jordan Marsh, and Sears. Sears opened in July 1983, shortly after the mall's initial development. Lord & Taylor was added in 1985. JCPenney joined the anchor group in 1992, giving the property another major department-store operator and strengthening its appeal as a general-purpose shopping destination for households in the surrounding suburbs. The anchor portfolio changed as the American department-store sector underwent ownership changes, closures, and brand consolidations. Jordan Marsh was converted into a Burdines store serving men's apparel, home merchandise, and furniture. Lord & Taylor was replaced by Mervyn's in 1991, and the property associated with that anchor was later sold to Dillard's in 1997. The building ultimately became a Kohl's location, which opened on September 28, 2011. Burdines and the related Burdines Men's locations were converted to Macy's in 2005 as part of a national rebranding transaction. The former Burdines building was expanded to two floors, with the additional space used for women's and children's departments after the Macy's conversion. A major physical renovation began in 2000. Miami International Mall celebrated a grand reopening in 2001, the same year that nearby Dolphin Mall opened. The renovation replaced much of the property's older visual treatment with a more contemporary interior and removed features such as interior trees and fountains. The work represented an effort to modernize the center and maintain its relevance in a market where shopping malls were increasingly competing with newer properties, including Dolphin Mall's internationally themed retail concept. The center later entered a period of anchor-space transition. On August 23, 2018, Sears announced that its store would close. The vacant site became the subject of several possible redevelopment concepts, including residential uses. The plan that moved forward proposed a new mixed-use district with luxury apartments, a six-story residential component, and multiple development phases. Greystar Development led the redevelopment effort. The first and second phases were submitted for review in 2026 and focused on the former Sears location. Kohl's became the next major anchor to leave. On January 10, 2024, the company announced that its Miami International Mall store would close on January 13. The building was sold to Elev8 Fun, which announced plans for an indoor adventure park and entertainment venue. The project was under construction as of 2026, with a projected summer 2026 opening. The conversion illustrates the property's continuing shift from a traditional department-store anchor model toward a mix of retail, entertainment, and mixed-use development. Simon Property Group currently manages Miami International Mall and owns a 47.8% interest in the property. The mall remains active, with JCPenney, Macy's, and a Macy's Men's Store identified as current major retailers in the referenced material. Its future identity is being shaped by the retention of department-store retail alongside new entertainment and residential projects on former anchor sites.
- 2026
Former Sears residential phases submitted for review
[1]The first two phases of a Greystar-led, six-story residential redevelopment of the former Sears site are submitted for review.
- 2024
Kohl's closes and Elev8 Fun redevelopment announced
[1]Kohl's closes its store in January, and Elev8 Fun announces plans to convert the building into an indoor adventure park.
- 2018
Sears closure announced
[1]Sears announces that its Miami International Mall anchor will close, creating a major redevelopment opportunity.
- 2011
Kohl's opens in former department-store building
[1]Kohl's opens in the former Lord & Taylor, Mervyn's, and Dillard's building on September 28.
- 2005
Burdines stores convert to Macy's
[1]The Burdines and Burdines Men's stores at the mall are rebranded as Macy's locations through a nationwide corporate conversion.
- 2001
Grand reopening after renovation
[1]Miami International Mall celebrates its renovated property as nearby Dolphin Mall opens.
- 2000
Major renovation begins
[1]The mall begins an extensive modernization program, including changes to its interior design and anchor-store facilities.
- 1997
Former Mervyn's property sold to Dillard's
[1]The former Lord & Taylor and Mervyn's anchor building is sold to Dillard's.
- 1992
JCPenney opens
[1]JCPenney adds another major department-store anchor to the mall.
- 1991
Mervyn's replaces Lord & Taylor
[1]The Lord & Taylor anchor space changes hands and becomes a Mervyn's store.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center serving Doral and the southwestern Miami metropolitan area, with a department-store anchor base and a location near Miami International Airport. Its tenant and property strategy has evolved from traditional department-store retail toward a combination of shopping, entertainment, and mixed-use redevelopment.
Department store · 1992
JCPenney
JCPenney is one of the mall's continuing department-store anchors. Its typical assortment includes apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty products, home goods, and household merchandise, providing broad-value shopping for families and general consumers.
Department store · 2005
Macy's
The mall's Macy's presence originated from the conversion of Burdines stores in 2005. The former Burdines building was expanded to two floors during the earlier renovation period, with space serving women's and children's departments after the Macy's rebranding.
Department store · 2005
Macy's Men's Store
The Macy's Men's Store represents the continuation of the mall's former Burdines Men's operation following the 2005 nationwide conversion to Macy's. It focuses on men's apparel and related merchandise within the center's department-store offering.
Indoor entertainment and adventure venue · 2026
Elev8 Fun
Elev8 Fun is planned for the former Kohl's building. The announced concept is an indoor adventure park and entertainment venue intended to replace a traditional department-store anchor and broaden the mall's attraction beyond conventional retail.
Mixed-use residential development · 2026
Greystar residential redevelopment
The former Sears site is being planned for a multi-phase residential redevelopment led by Greystar Development. The referenced proposal includes luxury apartments and six-story residential components as part of a new mixed-use district.
Brand decisions
2024
Conversion of former Kohl's building to Elev8 FunStrategyBackground
Kohl's announced that its Miami International Mall store would close, creating another vacant large-format anchor building.
Action taken
The building was sold to Elev8 Fun for conversion into an indoor adventure park and entertainment venue.
Aftermath
Construction was underway as of 2026, with an expected summer 2026 opening. The project is intended to add an entertainment-oriented use to the mall.
2018
Sears anchor closure and site redevelopment planningOtherBackground
Sears announced the closure of its Miami International Mall store amid the retailer's broader contraction, leaving a substantial anchor site available for reuse.
Action taken
The property considered several potential tenants and redevelopment concepts. The plan that advanced involved a multi-phase luxury apartment and mixed-use project led by Greystar Development.
Aftermath
The first and second phases of the residential redevelopment were submitted for review in 2026.
2005
Conversion of Burdines anchors to Macy'sStrategyBackground
Burdines and Burdines Men's were converted across the United States as part of a nationwide corporate rebranding transaction.
Action taken
The mall's Burdines locations were rebranded as Macy's and Macy's Men's Store locations.
Aftermath
The Macy's brands became part of the mall's continuing department-store anchor lineup.
2000
Comprehensive mall renovationStrategyBackground
The aging enclosed mall required modernization as competition in the Miami-area retail market developed, including the planned opening of nearby Dolphin Mall.
Action taken
The property underwent an extensive renovation that removed older interior features such as trees and fountains, introduced a more modern appearance, and expanded the original Burdines building with a second floor.
Aftermath
The renovated center held a grand reopening in 2001 and continued operating with a refreshed physical format.
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