You just don’t see too many enclosed malls being built these days. They’re rare, but not completely extinct. One of the next big ones to open will be The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota, Florida. It’s scheduled to open on October 16, 2014.
This isn’t a small “wannabe” mall – it’s 880,000 square feet of two-level enclosed regional shopping center. The emphasis will be on fashion, with anchor stores from Saks Fifth Avenue, Dillard’s and Macy’s. There will also be places to re-fuel during your shopping excursion, featuring BRIO Tuscan Grille, The Capital Grille, The Cheesecake Factory, Kona Grill and Seasons 52. That’s a whole lotta grilling. And grille-ing. All-in-all, there are over 100 stores to explore.
The mall is at the intersection of University Parkway and I-75, the busiest crossroads in town. It’s surrounded by “upscale” golf-oriented communities: University Park is across the street to the north and the massive Lakewood Ranch development is just across I-75 to the east. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) is 6 miles west on University Parkway.
There are several hotels in the immediate neighborhood of The Mall at University Town Center, with many more near the airport and along the I-75 corridor.
