As online shopping continues to dominate the retail landscape, malls across America have struggled to stay relevant.
Once a staple of suburban life, shopping malls have been marred by years of declining foot traffic, shuttered stores, e-commerce platforms reshaping consumer habits, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since their rise to pop-culture prominence in the 1980s and ‘90s, the number of malls has plummeted from about 2,500 to anywhere between 700 and 1,150 in 2025, and as many as 15,000 retail stores are projected to close this year.
Yet despite these troubling trends, some South Florida malls aren’t just surviving – they are evolving.
By leaning away from traditional retail experiences and instead offering new entertainment and dining options, striking ambiance, and access to luxury stores, staples like Aventura Mall, Bayside Marketplace, and Bal Harbour Shops continue to draw large crowds while traditional malls struggle to do the same.
AVENTURA ADVENTURES
When Devin Tupler was growing up, malls were a big part of her life.
“My mom is a massive shopaholic,” said Tupler. “She can shop all day during the holiday season. She can put in a 10- to 12-hour day in the mall. I can't. I max out at three hours.”
Tupler, who lives in Plantation, likes shopping at the Aventura Mall, eschewing the two malls closest to her, Sawgrass Mills and Broward Mall.
“Aventura is not that far away from me, and it feels nicer than the two that are closer,” Tupler said. “It has a luxury feel. It's not as crammed as Sawgrass. And Broward Mall is not the vibe I’m going for when I’m shopping. I can buy fast fashion online, but if I want really good quality clothes, it's hard to order online.”
Recently, Aventura Mall placed first in USA Today’s 10 BEST 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, beating out second-place winner Mall of America, the largest mall in the country.
USA Today lauded Aventura’s 300 retail stores, over 50 dining options, and collection of “museum-worthy” art installations, features that lead Turnberry Associates principal Harrison Soffer to believe Aventura offers something for every guest.
Turnberry Associates is the principal owner of Aventura Mall, serving as its majority stakeholder and managing its expansions and strategic direction.
In an email interview with the Biscayne Times, Soffer said the mall’s commitment to giving guests quality experiences puts them ahead of the competition.
Citing the recent opening of Florida’s first Eataly Italian marketplace, Soffer pointed to it as one of many worthwhile experiences that continue to draw visitors through Aventura Mall’s doors.
(Aventura Mall)
“People seek vibrant spaces to immerse themselves in, whether through exploring stores, dining, or engaging with culture.” Soffer said. “Malls remain a cornerstone of cultural and social interaction nationwide, and we are proud to serve as a dynamic hub for these enriching moments,” Soffer said.
Nancy Cohen lives five minutes from Aventura Mall and frequents both the stores and restaurants. She likes to shop right when the mall opens, before it gets too crowded, often combining online shopping with a trip to the mall.
“Sometimes I just go to return what I bought online, but then I browse through the department,” Cohen said. “I like trying things on, especially dresses. It's nice to get a package at home. Certain brands I know, I can buy online. But for special things, and gifts, I prefer an in-person experience.”
Cohen and her husband, Larry, also enjoy dining at Aventura Mall and dine there about once a month, often at Bella Luna, and likes that there are so many options.
“They have Mediterranean, and sushi, and now there’s this new Eataly, which is supposed to be sensational if you want really great pasta or pizza,” she said.
Soffer views Aventura’s recent recognition as a promising sign of things to come, with the mall hoping to capitalize on its momentum by expanding even further.
“We take great pride in Aventura Mall’s continued position as the best mall for iconic brands and first-to-market experiences, helping define South Florida’s place on the national and international stage,” Soffer said. “The recent opening of Eataly marks a new chapter in immersive culinary experiences, and upcoming additions, such as Dior, will further elevate the mall’s luxury offering.”
BAYSIDE BONANZA
(Courtesy of Bayside Marketplace)
Not to be outdone, Bayside Marketplace in Miami earned the honor of second most talked-about mall in the country based on Google review data collected from malls across all 50 states.
According to a study by Digital Directory Express, Bayside had 72,008 visitor comments, putting it behind only Navy Pier in Chicago, which amassed 80,528 comments.
Bayside Marketplace wasn’t alone. Four other Florida malls – Aventura Mall, Sawgrass Mills, Dolphin Mall, and the Florida Mall – each made the cut, giving the Sunshine State the honor of housing half of the most visited malls in the country.
As leader of the pack, Bayside’s general manager Mauro Olivieri said through email that the shopping center owes its online staying power to its social media savvy and emphasis on community-driven storytelling.
While it may be home to retail mainstays like Foot Locker and Victoria’s Secret, Olivieri says the open-air hub is about more than just shopping, but about capturing moments that reflect its place within the Miami community.
“We work to highlight more than just our retail offerings; we showcase the energy, diversity, and cultural spirit of Miami itself,” said Olivieri. “Our goal has always been to ensure that the online experience mirrors the excitement and diversity that guests feel when they’re here in person.”
Liza Mascaro, a theater specialist who lives in Weston said she and her colleagues often spent lunch breaks at Bayside when she worked a few doors down from Bayside at the arena.
(Courtesy of Bayside Marketplace)
“There were so many options for us,” Mascaro said. “There’s Bubba Gump Shrimp. There’s Five Guys. There’s several bars and restaurants where some people could have cocktails and others could have actual food. We never fought over what to get.”
Tupler now works from home for an equestrian magazine, but when she worked in downtown Miami at the Intercontinentel Hotel, she also frequented Bayside for lunch and shopping.
“That’s where we all used to go out,” Tupler said. “A lot of the bartenders I knew would go to Margaritaville. I went to Bubba Gump a lot.”
Mascaro said that Bayside provided a midday escape, especially when the weather was good.
“It's a place where locals and tourists combine,” Mascaro said. “It’s unique, in that everyone is just there to have a good time and there’s something for everyone to do.”
Bayside takes the idea of being more than a shopping hub to heart, with Olivieri mentioning attractions like the Skyview Miami Observation Wheel, boat tour experiences like Thriller Miami, the Big Bus and 305 Miami tours, and drawing visitors who may want to do more than just shop.
Like Aventura, Bayside Marketplace has set its sights on expanding its offerings, with restaurants like Coyo Taco and Benihana set to open later this year.
“Beyond new additions, we’re committed to enriching the guest experience through inclusive, community-focused programming,” Olivieri said. “That includes cultural activations, seasonal celebrations, and local partnerships that foster connection and reflect the city’s diversity. The goal is to ensure that every visit to Bayside feels fresh, welcoming, and uniquely Miami.”
BAL HARBOUR
(Bal Harbour Shops)
While some malls are reinventing themselves with art installations, food halls, and ferris wheels, Bal Harbour Shops is taking a different approach: doubling down on luxury and moving to mixed-use expansion.
Widely regarded as one of the most productive shopping centers in the world, the open-air luxury mall has routinely posted major sales per square foot, managing $3,400 in 2022 alone thanks to its curated lineup of brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada.
Currently, the mall is undergoing a $740 million expansion that will add 40 new high-end boutiques, restaurants, and the first Barneys New York department store in the southeastern U.S. The project is slated for completion in 2026.
A proposed second phase would include three high-rise towers featuring a luxury hotel and more than 500 residential units, 40% of which would be designated as workforce housing.
Filed under Florida's Live Local, a law passed to encourage affordable housing by easing local development restrictions, the plan has sparked fierce opposition from Bal Harbour Village officials and triggered a lawsuit over zoning rights and affordable housing in one of the state’s wealthiest enclaves – the outcome of which could determine whether Bal Harbour Shops remains planted to its retail roots or grows into a luxury lifestyle hub.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Opened in May, Miami Worldcenter aims to stand alongside its acclaimed peers by putting its own spin on the shopping center concept: being “a city within a city.”
(Courtesy Miami WorldCenter Associates)
Once a sprawl of empty parking lots, the mixed-use development is now a hub featuring over 16 residential and hospitality towers, 300,000 square feet of open-air retail, green spaces, public art installations, and a variety of global dining spots.
Originally envisioned as an indoor shopping site, the Worldcenter team transitioned to an open-air model during development, a move that eventually led to Apple, Lululemon, the Museum of Ice Cream, and other shops to take part.
To hear managing partner of Worldcenter Associates Nitin Motwani tell it, the pivot was driven by a blend of macroeconomic trends and local insight.
When their initial anchors Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s rolled back their involvement in the project, developers saw it as an opportunity to go in a different direction that better caters to the habits of Miamians.
“We saw an opportunity to reimagine the Miami Worldcenter experience and not just replicate what had been done before,” Motwani said. “Miami’s climate, its emphasis on outdoor living, and the growing desire for walkable, mixed-use environments all pointed toward a more flexible, lifestyle-oriented approach.”
The Worldcenter is not trying to be like Aventura Mall or Bayside Marketplace, it’s trying to be more.
“It’s a city within a city,” said Motwani. “We offer a completely different experience by blending retail, dining, residential, hospitality, and culture into one cohesive, walkable neighborhood. Where traditional centers are single-use destinations, Worldcenter is integrated into the fabric of Downtown.”
Despite trying to set itself apart from other centers, Worldcenter shares Aventura and Bayside’s vision to expand, looking to stay relevant and flexible to change by providing more entertainment, food, and outdoor activity options.
All four see the next steps of retail in offering more than just stores, viewing a diverse range of experiences as key to weathering the uncertain future for in-person shopping.
“It’s about creating a lifestyle that appeals to residents, visitors, and locals alike,” Motwani said.