Malls

[SoFLA954]

Pompano has no central downtown. There have been plans to make Atlantic Blvd into a pedestrian downtown area for years, but as usual Pompano never can seem to get its act together like other cities. The only reason there is development going up on the East side of town is because the land has became so valuable that developers are now coming even with the hassles of city hall, like the WCI project Oceanside. Aslo there are plans being drawn up to renovate and redevelopment old downtowon Pompano, which is lightyears away.

[Urban_Legend]

^Though I'm sure that eventually, with the densities in the eastern portions of South Florida rising, urban or even "urban-esque" development will make its way into Pompano.

One day....

[Alexzero77]

I hope so. For a city larger than West Palm Beach or Boca Raton REALLY needs a proper downtown with high-rises, an elegant city hall, and maybe an arena.

[Temeteron]

I love Bal Harbour, and Aventure Mall is awesome too! Not to mention Lincoln Ave.

[Alexzero77]

I love Bal Harbour, and Aventure Mall is awesome too! Not to mention Lincoln Ave.

What's Bal Harbor like? Is it open air?

[Temeteron]

What's Bal Harbor like? Is it open air?

yup! but its kinda half way open....just in case it rains you wont have to worry about getting wet....

[miamivicefan]

I Like all of their malls.

[SydneyHarbour]

Has anyone been to the Shops at Midtown Miami, at 36th St. and Miami Avenue? It's mostly big-box stores (Target, Circuit City, etc.) but it took the place of that unsightly abandoned railyard. I haven't been back to South Florida since MM opened and I'm curious about it.

[Paul305]

I haven't been to Midtown either but alesh posted some of his flickr phtotos of Midtown on Critical Miami a couple of weeks ago that might interest you.

[JRS1]

I've been to alot of these malls too...

Palm Beach Mall is ghetto. I would never recommend it to an out-of-towner. Palm Beach Gardens Mall is an entirely different story. That being said, what criteria do we judge these by? How nice and posh the mall is, or by it's clientele?

Boca TC is nice.

Cityplace is AWESOME.

Aventura Mall-- thumbs up.

Bal Harbour Shops-- fru fru and very recommendable to a northerner looking for nice stores; same for Merrick Park.

Sawgrass and Dolphin-- also nice; very touristy.

Dadeland-- might be the best based on its location now, with all the new development and all surrounding it.

Broward Mall-- isn't that ghetto as well? last I checked. (not that that's a bad thing. to each their own).

My take is that malls are malls, period. each has its strong suits and weaknesses. location plays a big role too. convenience and accessibility. for instance... parking decks to help with parking. Cityplace and Boca and Bal come to mind.

Whichever mall one likes, the fact is, Miami metro might have more than any other place in the US (within reason)...

Midtown Miami--- I just saw those photos: OMG! Just look at this place. that is incredible.

[tombarnes]

The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale is very nice, although it is generally a very expensive place to shop. I have heard good things about Aventura, but must admit that I rarely get down to that area at all. Any reports would be welcome. Las Olas Boulevard has a few good shops, but is hardly a place to look for bargains.

[vbfl85]

I have to say that im not that big a fan of Sawgrass. I mean it has alot of stores and good deals, but its an oversized outlet mall.

[UptownNewOrleans]

When Midtown Miami is completed, I'm coming down there.

[tombarnes]

IKEA Opening in Sawgrass on Wednesday...Preparing for a Stampede?

Wednesday's anticipated grand opening of the new IKEA store brings the possibility of a stampede. While the chances of a repetition of the scene a few years ago in London are slim, the event is sure to draw a big crowd. I'm not much on this whole Sawgrass Mills thing, but it's undoubtedly a huge attraction for many visitors. I have been out there once, and I'll admit that I did find some impressive bargains. The whole setup seems deeply anti-urban on so many levels that it almost disturbs me. Perhaps it will grow into a properly urban center if given time and good planning.

The Sun Sentinel

[UptownNewOrleans]

I gotta get down to South Florida before the year is out.

[destijl]

IKEA Opening in Sawgrass on Wednesday...Preparing for a Stampede?

Wednesday's anticipated grand opening of the new IKEA store brings the possibility of a stampede. While the chances of a repetition of the scene a few years ago in London are slim, the event is sure to draw a big crowd. I'm not much on this whole Sawgrass Mills thing, but it's undoubtedly a huge attraction for many visitors. I have been out there once, and I'll admit that I did find some impressive bargains. The whole setup seems deeply anti-urban on so many levels that it almost disturbs me. Perhaps it will grow into a properly urban center if given time and good planning.

The Sun Sentinel