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Seminole Towne Center

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Coordinates: 28°48′12″N 81°20′21″W / 28.8033623°N 81.3392539°W / 28.8033623; -81.3392539
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Seminole Towne Center
Seminole Towne Center logo
Atrium and food court in July 2017, taken from 2nd floor
Map
Address200 Towne Center Cir.
Sanford, Florida, United States
Opening dateSeptember 22, 1995; 29 years ago (September 22, 1995)
Closing dateJanuary 31, 2025; 12 days ago (January 31, 2025)
DeveloperSimon Property Group
Owner4th Dimension Properties
No. of stores and services0 originally 72
No. of anchor tenants6 (2 vacant), originally 5
Total retail floor area1,136,579 square feet (105,591.6 m2)[1]
No. of floors2
Public transit accessBus interchange LYNX: 46W
Websiteseminoletownecenter.com (2024 archive)

Seminole Towne Center was a super-regional enclosed shopping mall in Sanford, Florida. The mall was located at the interchange between Interstate 4, Seminole County Expressway (SR 417), and Wekiva Parkway (SR 429), approximately 20 miles (32 km) north of Orlando.

The 1.14-million-square-foot (106,000 m2) structure opened in 1995 as an upscale mall targeting shoppers from Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties, but it experienced significant decline during the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The mall (with the exception of its four remaining anchor stores) closed at the end of January 2025 and is set to be partially demolished for a redevelopment project.[3]

History

[edit]

Proposal and opening

[edit]

In the late 1980s, three separate proposals were made for a mall in northern Seminole County near the intersection of Interstate 4 and State Road 46.[4] One of the proposals, made by Melvin Simon & Associates, was for a 1.2-million-square-foot (110,000 m2) structure which would serve as the first phase of a larger development, including a hotel and office complex.[5] In September 1990, Simon announced that Dillard's (which had recently entered the Central Florida area through its purchase of Ivey's) had agreed to serve as an anchor store for the mall, which had been named Seminole Towne Center.[6]

Sanford city government approved $6.3 million in municipal bonds to improve road infrastructure near the proposed site, which would be paid for through a tax increment financing district.[7] Simon also agreed to pay $500,000 to the neighboring city of Lake Mary to widen a road near the site.[8]

Simon initially planned to begin construction of the mall in 1991[6] with an opening date of summer 1993.[9] However, due to the early 1990s recession, the company was unable to obtain the necessary financing until 1993.[10] The mall's groundbreaking was held on September 9, 1993.[11] The anchor stores JCPenney and Burdines opened on September 1, 1995,[12] and the mall itself would hold its grand opening ceremony three weeks later on the 22nd.[13]

The mall's most notable opening-day tenant was the upscale department store Parisian, which opened its first Central Florida location. Other notable tenants included Aéropostale, Ann Taylor, Brookstone, The Disney Store, Everything But Water, Franklin Quest, The Gap, The Limited, Littman's, and Talbots.[14] Television advertisements for the mall featured the jingle "shop a new mall, mall".[15][16] An estimated 200,000 people visited the mall on its opening weekend.[17]

Early years

[edit]

The mall initially competed with Altamonte Mall, located 10 miles (16 km) south on I-4,[18] as well as Lake Square Mall[19] and Volusia Mall.[18] Another Seminole County-based competitor, Oviedo Marketplace, opened in 1998.[20]

In 1996, a ten-screen United Artists theater opened in an outparcel south of the mall.[21] United Artists also planned to open Starport, a 30,000-square-foot (2,800 m2) virtual reality-focused arcade, in the mall proper,[22] but this never came to fruition.

In 1999, the mall's parking lot hosted the inaugural Seminole County Fair, a carnival midway operated by James E. Strates Shows.[23] The mall would continue to host the fair annually until its closure.

In 2004, Saks, Inc. announced plans to convert its two Orlando-area Parisian locations (namely at Seminole Towne Center and West Oaks Mall) to its midscale McRae's nameplate.[24] This move was in response to four other upscale department stores opening locations in the greater Orlando area.[25] The following year, McRae's was sold to Belk,[26] and Burdines was converted to Macy's as part of a nationwide rebranding initiative. In 2006, the JCPenney was renovated.[27]

Great Recession and early troubles

[edit]

In the late 2000s, business at the mall began to slow due to the Great Recession and competition from nearby power centers.[28] In response, the mall announced plans to open more upscale stores, including Buckle, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Hollister, Tillys, and Zumiez, to target shoppers less affected by the recession.[29]

In 2009, Swedish fast fashion retailer H&M announced its first two Florida locations at Seminole Towne Center and fellow Simon property The Florida Mall.[30] The 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) store replaced Ann Taylor and Charlotte Russe[31] and opened on October 15.[32]

In 2010, Belk announced the closure of its Seminole Towne Center location in October.[33] The building would remain closed for two years. In February 2012, Dick's Sporting Goods announced plans to open in the top floor of the building;[34] the following June, discount retailer Burlington announced plans to open in the bottom floor.[35] Also in 2012, Sears announced the closure of its clothing department, as well as the bottom floor of its anchor store, which had housed the department. The top floor remained open.[36]

Spin-off to Washington Prime

[edit]

On May 28, 2014, Simon Property Group spun off 98 of its smaller properties, including Seminole Towne Center, into Washington Prime Group.[37][38] At the time of spinoff, the mall had a 90% occupancy rate.[39]

In 2016, 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of retail space near Macy's was converted into Athletic Apex, a fitness center.[40]

On May 31, 2018, Sears announced the closure of 63 unprofitable locations nationwide, including its Seminole Towne Center location. The store closed on September 2.[41] Two years later, on January 7, 2020, Macy's announced the closure of its Seminole Towne Center location,[42] leaving the mall with two vacant anchors.

Sale to Kohan and 4th Dimension

[edit]

In March 2020, Washington Prime sold the mall for $52.3 million to Seminole Mall Realty Holding, a joint venture between Kohan Retail Investment Group and 4th Dimension Properties.[43] Kohan held a majority stake in the venture and was responsible for daily operations.[44] In April 2020, AdventHealth opened a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the mall.[45]

In February 2022, the former Sears building was reopened as Elev8 Fun, a family entertainment center offering arcade games, bowling, go-karts, miniature golf, and pool.[46] The following year, Elev8's parent announced a plan to build a hotel in the parking lot adjacent to the center, which it held ownership of.[47]

In late 2022, Burlington closed and moved to a nearby power center.[48] The following year, the space was temporarily re-opened as a Spirit Halloween store.[49]

In June 2023, it was reported that the mall had failed to pay $824,020 of its 2022 property taxes, which could put the property at risk of foreclosure if left unpaid. The Orlando Business Journal reported that Seminole Towne Center was one of five properties owned or co-owned by Kohan to be delinquent on property taxes.[50] In late February 2024, electricity to the mall was disconnected by Florida Power & Light for two days due to delinquent bills.[51][52] The mall's anchor stores were not affected, as they had separate power connections.

In May 2024, 4th Dimension Properties bought out Kohan's share of the mall for an undisclosed amount and paid off the property's tax debt, which had by that point reached $1.6 million. At the time of sale, the mall had a 79% occupancy rate.[53] 4th Dimension announced plans to repair the mall's air conditioning and escalators, as well as attract new businesses,[44] but the mall continued to decline.

Closure and redevelopment

[edit]

On January 8, 2025, it was reported that the mall would close on January 31st, with demolition set to begin in March. The site will be sold to Gilbane Development and rebuilt as a mixed-use development, including apartments, restaurants, a movie theater, and a Costco store.[54][55] The mall's four remaining anchor stores (Dillard's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Elev8 Fun) will remain open throughout the redevelopment process.

Anchors

[edit]

Seminole Towne Center was constructed with five two-level anchor buildings. A sixth, to be located across from the former Sears building, was planned but never built.[56] In 2012, one anchor building (last occupied by Belk) was subdivided into two one-level stores.

Anchor Opening year Former tenants
Dillard's 1995
JCPenney 1995
Vacant (1st floor only) N/A
Dick's Sporting Goods (2nd floor only) 2012
Elev8 Fun 2022
  • Sears (1995 - 2018, 2nd floor only 2012 - 2018)
Vacant N/A

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Form 10-K for Simon Property Group, Inc., Fiscal Year 2006". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  2. ^ Comas, Martin E.; Wilkins, James (January 9, 2025). "Seminole Towne Center, a once tony mall, will soon shutter its doors". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  3. ^ Silver, Catherine (January 2, 2025). "Seminole Towne Center in limbo as Sanford waits for a done deal". ClickOrlando (WKMG-TV). Graham Media Group. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  4. ^ Benedick, Robin (December 8, 1988). "3 mall ideas are probably 2 too many". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. D1 – via NewsBank.
  5. ^ McBreen, Sharon (September 10, 1990). "Mall road separates 2 cities: Widening is paved with controversy". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B1 – via NewsBank.
  6. ^ a b Snyder, Jack; Suris, Oscar (September 7, 1990). "Sanford mall gets Dillard's as lead store". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  7. ^ Imperiale, Nancy (June 26, 1990). "Sanford OKs deal for mall roads, offers same bargain to others". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. D3 – via NewsBank.
  8. ^ McBreen, Sharon (January 25, 1991). "Developers will chip in $500,000 to widen Rinehart". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B3 – via NewsBank.
  9. ^ Imperiale, Nancy (June 15, 1990). "Official: Deal near for 3 Sanford mall stores". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. p. 11 – via NewsBank.
  10. ^ Feigenbaum, Nancy (February 5, 1993). "Seminole mall project gets backing: The developer of Seminole Towne Center lines up financing". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  11. ^ Feigenbaum, Nancy (August 30, 1993). "Mall promises something special: Developer says center will be an inspiration". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. p. 21 – via NewsBank.
  12. ^ Kuhn, Brad (September 1, 1995). "New mall rehearses its opening: Backstage work is under way at Burdines and J.C. Penney at Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B1 – via NewsBank.
  13. ^ Kuhn, Brad (September 23, 1995). "Shoppers congregate at new mall: Seminole Towne Center's opening day filled parking lots and the mall's food court". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  14. ^ Kuhn, Brad (July 18, 1995). "New mall short on surprises: Anchoring retailer Parisian is about as foreign as it gets in the lineup for the upcoming Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B1.
  15. ^ Pfeifauf, Nick (September 22, 1995). "It's a new mall, mall: Party last night, stores open today". Sanford Herald. pp. 1A, 2A, 9A – via RICHES Archive of the Sanford Herald (Museum of Seminole County History / University of Central Florida).
  16. ^ Powell, Jill (December 22, 1996). "Merchants count down: 3, 2, 1... Store sales are expected to blast off in the last days before Christmas because shoppers got a late start on a short season". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. K1.
  17. ^ Taylor, Gary (September 25, 1995). "Mall grand opening pleases merchants, perturbs police". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  18. ^ a b Hurtibise, Ron (October 2, 1996). "New mall brings big changes to Sanford region". Daytona Beach News-Journal. News-Journal Corp. pp. 1A – via NewsBank.
  19. ^ Shaw, Gwyneth K. (July 20, 1995). "New mall in store for Lake: The manager of Seminole Towne Center in Sanford hopes Lake customers will find the shops worth the drive". Lake Sentinel. Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. p. 1 – via NewsBank.
  20. ^ Wellons, Will (January 30, 1998). "Opening date getting closer for Oviedo mall: Competitors say they aren't worried that the Marketplace will hurt their business". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. D10 – via NewsBank.
  21. ^ "Theater opens with free movies, prizes". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. April 18, 1996. pp. D11 – via NewsBank.
  22. ^ Kuhn, Brad (August 9, 1995). "New 'playground' virtually a reality: Seminole Towne Center may house United Artists' role-playing emporium". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B1 – via NewsBank.
  23. ^ Wersinger, Tammie (February 20, 1999). "Strates Shows to provide centerpiece of Seminole fair". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. D10 – via NewsBank.
  24. ^ Krueger, Jill (February 4, 2004). "Saks to change Parisian stores to McRae's". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017.
  25. ^ Mercado, Dorimar (October 9, 2004). "Makeover complete, McRae's stores debut: Saks Inc. has finished converting a pair of Parisians into McRae's". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  26. ^ D'Innocenzio, Anne (April 30, 2005). "Saks to sell its Proffitt's, McRae's to Belk". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C1 – via NewsBank.
  27. ^ Chediak, Mike (October 7, 2006). "Penney remodels 3 stores in region: The retailer has been working to distance itself from an image as a dowdy chain". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. C16 – via NewsBank.
  28. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (February 20, 2012). "Competition, stagnant economy take their toll on Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. A1 – via NewsBank.
  29. ^ Fluker, Anjali (May 19, 2008). "Simon Properties eyes high-end shoppers". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  30. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (May 12, 2009). "Fashion forward: Swedish retailer H&M set to open 2 stores in Central Florida". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B6 – via NewsBank.
  31. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (May 18, 2009). "The rapidly changing consumer world". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. M5 – via NewsBank.
  32. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (September 28, 2009). "H&M announces opening date for Florida Mall, Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company – via NewsBank.
  33. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (May 11, 2010). "Mall anchor Belk to close in Seminole". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. B5 – via NewsBank.
  34. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (February 10, 2012). "Dick's Sporting Goods opening at Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company – via NewsBank.
  35. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (June 21, 2012). "Burlington to open at Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. A12 – via NewsBank.
  36. ^ Pedicini, Sandra (March 20, 2012). "Sears to shutter 1st floor at Seminole Towne Center". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. pp. A12 – via NewsBank.
  37. ^ Swiatek, Jeff (December 13, 2013). "Simon Property Group to spin off smaller malls into new company". The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Company. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  38. ^ "Do Business at Seminole Towne Center". Simon Property Group Leasing. Archived from the original on October 14, 2014.
  39. ^ "WP Glimcher 2014 Annual Report" (PDF). AnnualReports.com. December 31, 2014. p. 37.
  40. ^ Arnold, Kyle (November 19, 2015). "Gym to replace retail space at Sanford Mall". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing – via NewsBank.
  41. ^ Arnold, Kyle (May 31, 2018). "Sears closing Sanford mall store, 62 others". Orlando Sentinel. tronc. Archived from the original on June 3, 2018.
  42. ^ Fuller, Austin (January 7, 2020). "Macy's Seminole Towne Center store in Sanford will close, with sales to start this month". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  43. ^ Fraser, Trevor (January 20, 2025). "Why Seminole Towne Center failed". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  44. ^ a b Buffamonte, Stephanie (May 17, 2024). "New owner of Seminole Towne Center says mall makeover in the works: 'I will make this place run again'". Fox 35 Orlando (WOFL). Fox Television Stations.
  45. ^ Comas, Martin E. (April 17, 2020). "AdventHealth to open coronavirus testing site at Seminole Towne Center mall". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  46. ^ Connolly, Patrick (February 11, 2022). "Elev8 Fun Sanford now open in former Sears with go-karts, bowling, arcade, ropes course". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  47. ^ Bilbao, Richard (September 22, 2023). "Elev8 Fun attractions owner, Chicago developer plan new hotel in Sanford". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  48. ^ Lynch, Ryan (November 7, 2022). "Exclusive: Seminole Towne Center mall loses Burlington store". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  49. ^ Ryzewski, Steven (October 18, 2023). "Orlando retail real estate execs' view of Spirit Halloween pop-ups has evolved. Here's why". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  50. ^ Ryzewski, Steven (June 27, 2023). "Owner of Seminole Towne Center Mall in Sanford owes more than $800k in property taxes". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  51. ^ Wildman, Asher (February 23, 2024). "Power is still out in parts of Seminole Towne Center Mall". Spectrum News 13. Charter Communications. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  52. ^ Langston, Jacob (February 24, 2024). "'Power has been restored:' Seminole Towne Center set to reopen". ClickOrlando (WKMG-TV). Graham Media Group. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  53. ^ Fraser, Trevor (May 24, 2024). "Seminole Towne Center's new owner wipes out $1.6 million in tax debt". Orlando Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  54. ^ Papantonis, Nick; Jordan, Jake (January 8, 2025). "Seminole Towne Center mall to close at the end of January". WFTV. Cox Media Group. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  55. ^ Fox, Greg (January 9, 2025). "A new Costco location is coming to Sanford | What to know about the future of Seminole Towne Center". WESH 2 News. Hearst Television. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  56. ^ "Seminole Town Center Mall directory, Grand Opening, September 1995". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Company. September 16, 1995. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.

28°48′12″N 81°20′21″W / 28.8033623°N 81.3392539°W / 28.8033623; -81.3392539

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