Last month, developers of the Miami Worldcenter retail center announced that they were ditching the enclosed mall concept in favor of an open, pedestrian-friendly “high-street” concept. “High-street” is a term commonly used in the U.K. and is essentially synonymous with the U.S. “main street”, referring to street-side retail shops and restaurants. According to The Real Deal:
The development’s retail component will span five blocks of pedestrian-only promenade, encompassing 300,000 square feet to 400,000 square feet of retail space. The area will be bordered by Northeast Seventh Street to the south, Northeast 10th Street to the north, Northeast Second Avenue to the east and North Miami Avenue to the west.
The centerpiece will be a central plaza, “a gathering place” that can be used for farmers’ markets, outdoor movies, book fairs and concerts, said Miami Worldcenter Managing Principal Nitin Motwani.
The original plan called for approximately 765,000-square-feet anchored by Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, so the revised plan appears to be significantly smaller. Retailers and restaurants will have the option of occupying one, two or even three-story spaces, but still no word on whether Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s are still in. South Florida Business Journal notes:
The previously announced amenities, such as the soccer field, pools and tennis courts, remain in the plans. They would be atop parking garages and other buildings. However, the rooftops of some of those buildings don’t appear to be connected.
