Serving Miami’s shopping needs for more than 50 years, Miami’s Dadeland Mall is one of the Magic City’s premier retail paradises. Even if you haven’t spent much time at Dadeland Mall, it may look familiar to you from Chuck Norris’ Invasion U.S.A., the 1990 film Miami Blues, or images and references to the concrete tower inscribed with a giant “D” for Dadeland.
If you haven’t visited since the big 2013 renovation or you recently relocated to apartments near Dadeland Mall, here’s a helpful overview of the development and all Dadeland has to offer.
History
Developed by the Joseph Meyerhoff Company, Dadeland Mall opened in 1962 as an open-air shopping complex. It initially had 60 shops and service providers anchored around a Burdines department store. Between 1969 and 1971, Dadeland Mall doubled in size. The highlights of the expansion were the addition of a J.C. Penney and a gigantic Burger King. In the early 1980s, the mall took a markedly upscale turn with opening of Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. In 1991, another 80,000 square feet of retail space was annexed by the mall. Three-story flagship Express and The Limited stores moved in.
2013 Renovation
After 20 years of serving as a Dadeland Mall highlight, the wing housing Express and The Limited closed down. The wing was then demolished to accommodate a two-story expansion, featuring primarily high-end clothing shops on the first floor and a Terrace Dining level on the second. One stretch of the first-floor expansion is often referred to as the “Fashion Runway.”
Anchors and Other Shopping
The Burdines that once anchored Dadeland Mall is long gone, but J.C. Penney, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue are all open seven days a week. And these are only the big shops. The collection of boutiques, department stores, eateries, and service providers at Dadeland Mall totals 185. In addition to designer clothes and home goods, you can shop and purchase electronics at the Apple Store or Microsoft; cars and accessories at Tesla; beauty products at Bath & Body Works, Clinique, and Lush; jewelry at Zales, Swatch, and Kay Jewelers; and fashionable sportswear and business attire at Porsche Design.
Dining at Dadeland Mall
Does shopping make you hungry? If it does, take advantage of the mix of fast food and al fresco dining available. According to the Miami New Times, the dining options at Dadeland Mall are surprisingly vegan-friendly for a food court. Home to Aoki Teppanyaki, Balans, Bobby’s Burger Palace, Earl’s Kitchen + Bar, and Texas de Brazil, the Terrace Dining development boasts a lovely atmosphere and beautiful views.
Living in AMLI Dadeland apartment rentals, you don’t have to worry about searching for a parking space or spending a half hour to get to the mall only to leave empty-handed because you can’t find what you’re looking for. It’s just a five-minute walk from your apartment, making it easy to pick up a last-minute wedding gift, a dish for a pot luck, or your favorite food court dish for dinner when time is tight.
Do you live in apartments near Dadeland Mall? Leave a comment to let us know how you take advantage of your proximity to one of Miami’s shopping meccas.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst