Westfield Countryside

Coordinates: 28°01′01″N 82°44′00″W / 28.01694°N 82.7333333°W / 28.01694; -82.7333333

Westfield Countryside

Location	Clearwater, Florida, USA
Address	27001 US Highway 19 North, Suite 2096
Opening date	1975
Management	Westfield Group
Owner	Westfield Group
No. of stores and services	165[1]
No. of anchor tenants	4
Total retail floor area	1,210,199 sq ft (112,431.2 m2)[1]
Parking	5542
No. of floors	2
Website	westfield.com/countryside

Westfield Countryside (formerly Countryside Mall) is a shopping mall in Clearwater, Florida. Situated near the coastline on the Gulf Coast, it serves over 8 million customers in the area every year. Its current anchor stores are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, and Sears. An NHL-sized ice rink also resides in the center of the mall.

History

The mall opened on September 8, 1975. Opening anchors included Maas Brothers and Sears, with JCPenney and Robinson's opening a year later. Of the four original anchors, Sears and JCPenney currently remain; Maas Brothers is now a Macy's (formerly Burdines), and Robinson's is now Dillard's. A six screen movie theater was built next to the mall across from JCPenney. However, declining attendance lead it to close in 2000; it has since become a Lifestyle Family Fitness center.^[2]

In 2002, as part of their expansion into the United States, Westfield Group acquired Countryside Mall in a $4.8 billion deal that involved 13 other shopping centers. The mall was renamed "Westfield Shoppingtown Countryside" by the new owners, dropping the "Shoppingtown" name in June 2005.^[3]

In April 2009, work for a $12 million dollar renovation project began. The mall's interior look was completely updated with new relocated escalators, flooring and ceilings, additional skylights, an expanded children's play area, and a completely redesigned food court. Dozens of planters and fake columns were removed, and an entourage of new stores were brought to the mall. The renovations were completed in November 2009.

Future Development

In February 2011, construction began on an expansion of the mall that will include a new 12-screen Cobb movie theater, and additional space for new restaurants and shops. The project is expected to be complete by Spring 2012.^[4]

Anchors

Current anchors:

• Dillard's (225,000 sq ft.)
• JCPenney (166,000 sq ft.)
• Macy's (215,000 sq ft.)
• Sears (224,000 sq ft.)

Former anchors:

• Maas Brothers
• Robinson's

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Westfield Countryside". Westfield Group. http://westfield.com/corporate/property-portfolio/united-states/countryside.html. Retrieved 2011-02-25. 
2. ^ Sharon Tubbs (October 12, 2000). "AMC to close two Clearwater theaters". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.sptimes.com/News/101200/NorthPinellas/AMC_to_close_two_Clea.shtml. 
3. ^ "Westfield closes A$4.8 billion transaction..." (Press release). Westfield Group. May 6, 2002. http://westfield.com/corporate/news-announcements/media-releases/2002/2002506_77060.html. 
4. ^ Mike Brassfield (May 26, 2010). "Countryside Mall to get 12-screen movie theater". St. Petersburg Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/countryside-mall-to-get-12-screen-movie-theater/1097463. 

External links

• Westfield Countryside Official website