Mall at University Town Center

The Mall at University Town Center is a shopping mall located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States, just south of the Manatee County line near the planned community of Lakewood Ranch. It opened on October 16, 2014[3] and is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Apple and Dillard's.

The Mall at University Town Center
Interior of The Mall at University Town Center
LocationSarasota, Florida, United States
Coordinates27.3844°N 82.4529°W / 27.3844; -82.4529
Address140 University Town Center Drive
Sarasota, FL 34243
Opening dateOctober 16, 2014 (2014-10-16)
DeveloperTaubman Centers/Benderson
ManagementTaubman Centers/Benderson
OwnerTaubman Centers/Benderson
ArchitectJPRA Architects[1]
No. of stores and services100+[2]
No. of anchor tenants3
Total retail floor area880,000 square feet (82,000 m2)
No. of floors2

History

The Mall at University Town Center began in 2002 when Benderson Corporation purchased the land and announced their intention to build the land into a regional mall. In 2007, Nordstrom signed a letter of intent to open at the mall. Neiman Marcus and Macy's signed letters of intent soon after, with a planned groundbreaking in 2008 and a planned opening in 2010. The Taubman Corp. joined the project in May 2008, a 50/50 split with Benderson. In summer of 2009, the project was placed on hold due to the Great Recession, and the three planned anchor stores pulled out.[4]

On October 15, 2012, a revamped Mall at University Town Center was unveiled. Macy's rejoined the project, this time joined by Dillard's and Saks Fifth Avenue.[5] Groundbreaking would occur on October 15, 2012.[6] The Mall would officially open on October 16, 2014. At the time of its opening it was the first regional shopping center built in Sarasota in 35 years and was one of two enclosed malls that opened in the United States during 2014.[7]

During the COVID-19 pandemic the mall would close starting on March 19, 2020 and ended up reopening on May 6.[8][9]

The District at UTC

The District East and The District West are two shopping centers located just east and west of the Mall at UTC. The District West includes retailers such as Super Target, Old Navy, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, Petco, and Dick's Sporting Goods. The District East is slated to include shopping, hotels, a movie theater and housing. Bordering Nathan Benderson Park, home of the 2017 World Rowing Championships.[10] The District East is currently under development.[11]

On June 29, 2023, it was announced that Christmas Tree Shops would be closing as part of a plan to close all 82 stores nationwide. The store closed on August 12, 2023.[12]

References
  1. "The Mall at University Town Center". Emporis. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  2. Centers, Taubman. "The Mall at University Town Center – About Us". Mallatutc.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  3. "Shoppers Welcome Sarasota's Premier Shopping Destination". Archived from the original on October 16, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  4. "Mall at University Town Center: A Timeline". bradenton. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  5. "Taubman And Benderson Development Company Begin Construction On The Mall At University Town Center In Sarasota, Fla". investors.taubman.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  6. Schelle, Charles (October 16, 2012). "University Town Center Mall Breaks Ground". Patch. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  7. O'Dea, Janelle (October 11, 2022). "Sarasota's The Mall at University Town Center celebrates one year". The Bradenton Herald. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  8. Eubanks, Pam (May 4, 2020). "Sarasota's Mall at University Town Center to reopen Wednesday". YourObserver.com. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  9. "Mall at UTC, Sarasota Square Mall, Westfield Siesta Key and Ellenton Outlets shut down due to coronavirus". ABC7. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  10. "Sarasota to Host 2017 World Rowing Championships". Usrowing.org. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  11. Winitz, Max. "Construction underway around University Town Center". Mysuncoast.com. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  12. "Christmas Tree Shops to liquidate all stores". Wall Street Journal. June 29, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
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