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The Mall at 163rd Street: The Transformation of a North Miami Beach Landmark
The Mall at 163rd Street, a fixture in North Miami Beach for nearly seven decades, is a living chronicle of South Florida’s retail evolution. From its celebrated beginning as a bustling open-air shopping plaza to its current status as a property undergoing a landmark transformation, this center tells a compelling story of adaptation and renewal. Located at 1205 NE 163rd Street, the mall is now poised for its most significant chapter yet.
Address: 1205 NE 163rd St, Miami, FL 33162 or
Address: 1421 NE 163rd St. North Miami Beach
1-305-944-7132
Historical Data
Directions: I-95 to 826 east 2 1/2 miles. Mall is on north side
Total number of stores: 100
Anchor stores: Burdines, Marshall’s, Mervyn’s, Service Merchandise, Home Depot
Specialty stores: The Gap Outlet, Foot Action, Kids Foot Locker
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A Storied Past: From Open-Air Plaza to Enclosed Mall
The history of the 163rd Street Mall is deeply woven into the fabric of the community. Its journey began with several key milestones that defined it for generations of shoppers.
- 1956 Grand Opening: The center opened on November 1, 1956, as the “163rd Street Shopping Center.” It was a premier open-air destination anchored by a stylish Burdines department store and featured nearly 50 retailers, including JCPenney, Woolworth, and Food Fair.
- A Community Hub: It was known for its family-friendly environment, featuring attractions like kiddie rides and even a go-kart track in its early days.
- The “Miracle on 163rd Street”: Between 1980 and 1982, the property underwent a massive renovation, enclosing the open-air walkways under a distinctive Teflon-coated fiberglass roof. This modernization was an ambitious attempt to compete with the new generation of climate-controlled malls.
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The Modern Era and Strategic Shift
In recent decades, the mall at 163rd has adapted to a challenging retail climate. The rise of nearby competitors like Aventura Mall and the departure of key anchors like Burdines and Jordan Marsh in the 1990s prompted a strategic shift. The property evolved into a hybrid model, combining traditional enclosed mall space with the format of a power center.
Today, its primary traffic is driven by major national anchors, including:
- Walmart Supercenter
- The Home Depot
- Ross Dress for Less
While the interior of the mall has faced high vacancy rates, its strategic assets have kept it a property of significant interest.
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Unlocking Potential: A Prime Location
The enduring strength of the 163rd mall lies in its strategic location. The property is positioned in a densely populated and high-traffic corridor of Miami-Dade County, making it a prime candidate for redevelopment.
- Dense Demographics: The mall serves a population of over 450,000 residents within a five-mile radius.
- High Traffic Volume: The location sees an average of 61,500 vehicles pass by daily on 163rd Street.
- Superior Accessibility: Its proximity to the Golden Glades Interchange provides direct access to major South Florida transportation arteries, a key factor for any commercial or residential development.
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The Future is Now: A 2025 Mixed-Use Transformation
Following its sale to new ownership in 2024, the property is now at the beginning of a transformative redevelopment. As of 2025, ambitious plans are underway to reimagine this historic mall in North Miami Beach as a modern, integrated mixed-use destination.
This forward-thinking strategy moves beyond traditional retail to create a vibrant community hub where people can live, work, and shop. The goals of the redevelopment include:
- Integrating Residential Living: Introducing new residential components to create a built-in community.
- Modernizing Retail Spaces: Upgrading the commercial areas to attract a dynamic mix of new retailers, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses.
- Creating a Lifestyle Destination: Fostering a walkable, energetic environment that meets the modern needs of the North Miami Beach community.
With leasing opportunities available for spaces of various sizes, the project is actively seeking tenants to be part of its new vision. This redevelopment signals not an end for the Mall at 163rd Street, but a bold rebirth designed to secure its legacy for decades to come.
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