Bal Harbour Shops

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Bal Harbour Shops


caption = Courtyard at Bal Harbour Shops
location = Collins Avenue and 96th Street
Bal Harbour (Miami, Florida)
United States
hours = Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-9:00 PM
Sunday 12:00-6:00 PM
opening_date = 1965
developer = Herbert H. Johnsons & Associates
management = Whitman Family
owner = Whitman Family
number_of_stores = 100+
number_of_anchors = 3
floor_area = convert|500000|sqft|m2
parking = Outdoor
floors = 3
website = http://www.balharbourshops.com

Bal Harbour Shops, is an upscale open-air shopping mall located in Bal Harbour, a suburb of Miami, Florida, and is considered to be the most exclusive shopping destination in the Southern United States. The mall is still one of the few remaining family-owned malls in the nation and boasts one of the most exclusive luxury collections in the United States. [ [http://64.176.220.191/index.php?llink=0&file=release2 Homepage ] ]

History

The open-air shopping mall was fronted by Stanley Whitman on the site of a former Army barracks and World War II POW camp. [ [http://64.176.220.191/index.php?llink=0&file=release2 Homepage ] ] He abandoned the traditional enclosed air-conditioned mall concept, firing architect Victor Gruen, and fronted one of the first open-air shopping mall developments, hiring local Southern Florida architecture firm, Herbert H. Johnson & Associates. Whitman paid a pricey $2 per square foot for the land. [ [http://64.176.220.191/index.php?llink=0&file=release2 Homepage ] ]

The mall officially opened in 1964 with its first tenant being toy retailer FAO Schwarz, who maintained a store in the mall until they went bankrupt.

Today

The mall is among the most profitable malls in the country today. In 2002, Women's Wear Daily ranked Bal Harbour Shops as the most profitable mall in the country, earning $1,350 per square foot, compared to the national average of $300 per square foot. [ [http://64.176.220.191/index.php?llink=0&file=release2 Homepage ] ] In 2006, the mall averaged $1,706.68 per square foot and in 2007 is on its way to be the first mall in the country to surpass $2,000 per square foot. [ [http://64.176.220.191/index.php?llink=0&file=release5 Homepage ] ]

While it is a mall in concept, the retail center discourages comparisons to traditional malls. There are no enclosed walking paths, there are no kiosks, and the main anchor, Saks Fifth Avenue, has a sidewalk entrance on one of the town's main streets. The shops are surrounded by perfectly kept gardens and fountains, as opposed to normal mall fare.

tores

Bal Harbour Shops is known nationally for its collection of luxury retail. There is a two year waiting list for space in the mall, which has operated at 100% occupancy for more than two decades.

Anchors and Stores

*Neiman Marcus
*Saks Fifth Avenue

References

External links

* [http://www.balharbourshops.com/ Bal Harbour Shops Official Website]