Seminole Towne Center

Seminole Towne Center was a large enclosed shopping mall in Sanford, Florida, positioned near the intersection of Interstate 4, State Road 417, and Wekiva Parkway, roughly 20 miles north of Orlando. Developed by Melvin Simon & Associates, the center was conceived in the late 1980s and early 1990s as a major retail destination for shoppers from Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties. Its location gave it access to a broad Central Florida trade area and placed it in competition with established malls including Altamonte Mall, Lake Square Mall, and Volusia Mall, as well as the later Oviedo Marketplace. The mall opened in stages in September 1995. JCPenney and Burdines began operating on September 1, while the broader center held its grand opening on September 22. The approximately 1.14-million-square-foot property was marketed as an upscale regional mall and initially featured department stores and specialty retailers such as Dillard's, Parisian, Aéropostale, Ann Taylor, Brookstone, The Disney Store, Everything But Water, The Gap, The Limited, Talbots, and other national and regional tenants. Parisian's opening represented that retailer's first Central Florida location. Opening-weekend attendance was reported at approximately 200,000 visitors. Advertising for the mall used the jingle “shop a new mall, mall,” helping establish it as a new retail landmark in northern Seminole County. During its early years, Seminole Towne Center added entertainment and community uses. A ten-screen United Artists cinema opened in an adjacent outparcel in 1996, and the mall's parking area became the home of the Seminole County Fair beginning in 1999. Department-store identities changed over time: Parisian's Central Florida stores were converted to McRae's in 2004, McRae's was subsequently acquired by Belk, and Burdines became Macy's during Macy's national rebranding. JCPenney also underwent a renovation in 2006. The property faced increasing pressure during the Great Recession and from nearby power centers and competing shopping destinations. Management attempted to refresh the tenant mix with brands including Buckle, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Hollister, Tillys, and Zumiez. H&M selected the mall for one of its first Florida locations, opening a roughly 20,000-square-foot store in 2009. Nevertheless, anchor vacancies and department-store retrenchment continued. Belk closed in 2010, with Dick's Sporting Goods and Burlington later occupying different portions of the former anchor building. Sears closed its store in 2018, and Macy's announced its departure in 2020. Athletic Apex, a fitness center, opened in space near Macy's in 2016. Simon Property Group spun the mall into Washington Prime Group in 2014. Washington Prime later sold the property in March 2020 to Seminole Mall Realty Holding, a joint venture involving Kohan Retail Investment Group and 4th Dimension Properties. The property experienced operational and financial difficulties under the new ownership, including reported unpaid property taxes, a temporary electricity disconnection in 2024, declining occupancy, and ongoing problems involving air conditioning and escalators. Elev8 Fun reopened the former Sears building in 2022 as a family entertainment center with arcade games, bowling, go-karts, miniature golf, and billiards. Burlington moved to a nearby power center in late 2022, while the former space later hosted a seasonal Spirit Halloween store. In May 2024, 4th Dimension Properties acquired Kohan's interest and paid the mall's accumulated property-tax debt. The property was then repositioned for redevelopment. The enclosed mall closed to most operations at the end of January 2025, although several separately parceled anchor businesses were expected to remain open during the transition. The 76-acre site was acquired by The Ardent Companies in March 2025 for a reported $17.5 million, with plans for a mixed-use replacement involving apartments, restaurants, a movie theater, and Costco. The…

Seminole Towne Center originated in a series of proposals for a regional mall in northern Seminole County near Interstate 4 and State Road 46. Melvin Simon & Associates proposed a roughly 1.2-million-square-foot mall as the first stage of a larger development that could also include offices and a hotel. In September 1990, Simon announced that Dillard's would anchor the project. Sanford approved municipal bonds worth $6.3 million for nearby road improvements, financed through a tax-increment district, while Simon agreed to contribute $500,000 toward widening a road near Lake Mary. The early-1990s recession delayed financing and pushed the construction schedule back. Groundbreaking finally took place on September 9, 1993. JCPenney and Burdines opened on September 1, 1995, followed by the formal grand opening on September 22. The approximately 1.14-million-square-foot enclosed mall was designed as an upscale super-regional destination serving several counties around Orlando. Its initial tenant roster included Parisian, which established its first Central Florida location there, along with Dillard's, JCPenney, Burdines, Aéropostale, Ann Taylor, Brookstone, The Disney Store, The Gap, The Limited, Talbots, and other specialty retailers. The center competed with Altamonte Mall, Lake Square Mall, and Volusia Mall. Oviedo Marketplace added another nearby competitor after opening in 1998. A ten-screen United Artists theater opened in an adjacent parcel in 1996. The mall also developed a community-events role: the Seminole County Fair began using its parking lot in 1999 and continued annually for many years. The tenant and anchor structure changed substantially in the 2000s. Saks, Inc. converted the two Orlando-area Parisian stores, including the Seminole Towne Center location, to the McRae's nameplate in 2004. McRae's was sold to Belk the following year, while Burdines became Macy's as part of a national rebranding. JCPenney completed a renovation in 2006. During the Great Recession, traffic and sales weakened, while nearby power centers increased competitive pressure. The mall responded by pursuing brands intended to broaden its appeal, including Buckle, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Hollister, Tillys, and Zumiez. H&M opened a 20,000-square-foot store in 2009, replacing earlier specialty tenants and giving the property one of the retailer's first Florida locations. Anchor attrition accelerated afterward. Belk announced its closure in 2010, leaving its building unused for two years. Dick's Sporting Goods took the upper level in 2012, and Burlington occupied the lower level. Sears later reduced its footprint and ultimately closed in 2018. Macy's announced in January 2020 that it would also leave. In 2016, approximately 20,000 square feet near Macy's was converted into Athletic Apex, a fitness center. Ownership changed in 2014 when Simon Property Group transferred Seminole Towne Center to Washington Prime Group as part of a spin-off of smaller properties. Washington Prime sold the mall in March 2020 to Seminole Mall Realty Holding, a joint venture between Kohan Retail Investment Group and 4th Dimension Properties. Soon afterward, AdventHealth used the mall as a drive-through COVID-19 testing location. The property continued to lose conventional mall tenants, but the former Sears building was repositioned as Elev8 Fun, which opened in 2022 with arcade attractions, bowling, go-karts, miniature golf, and pool. Burlington moved to a nearby power center in late 2022, and its former space was subsequently used temporarily by Spirit Halloween. The mall's later ownership period was marked by financial and operational challenges. In 2023, reports indicated that 2022 property taxes remained unpaid, with the reported balance exceeding $824,000. In February 2024, Florida Power & Light disconnected electricity for two days because of unpaid bills; anchor stores with independent power connections were not affected. In May 2024, 4th Dimension bought out Kohan's interest and paid the accumulated property-tax debt, reported at approximately $1.6 million by that point. The new owner discussed repairing air conditioning and escalators and improving occupancy, but the property's long-term trajectory remained redevelopment rather than restoration as a conventional mall. Several redevelopment proposals focused on vacant anchor parcels. A 350-unit apartment proposal for one parcel was announced in 2021 but abandoned in 2022. Another multifamily proposal was advanced for the former Macy's site in 2023. In September 2024, the city announced that Gilbane Development had entered into a purchase contract, although Gilbane later withdrew and negotiations continued with other investors. The enclosed mall closed at the end of January 2025. The Ardent Companies completed its acquisition of the 76-acre site in March 2025 for a reported $17.5 million. Proposed replacement uses include apartments, restaurants, a movie theater, and Costco. The original mall is planned for demolition as the site transitions to a mixed-use development, while separately parceled anchors may continue operating during the redevelopment period.

1. 2025Enclosed mall closes and redevelopment ownership changes

   The main mall closed in January, and The Ardent Companies acquired the site in March for redevelopment.

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2. 20244th Dimension assumes full ownership

   4th Dimension bought Kohan's share and addressed the property's accumulated tax debt.

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3. 2022Elev8 Fun opens

   The former Sears building reopened as a multi-attraction family entertainment center.

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4. 2020Sale to Seminole Mall Realty Holding

   Washington Prime sold the property to a Kohan and 4th Dimension joint venture.

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5. 2014Property transferred to Washington Prime Group

   Simon Property Group included the mall in its spin-off of smaller properties to Washington Prime Group.

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6. 2009H&M opens

   H&M opened a roughly 20,000-square-foot store, one of its early Florida locations.

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7. 1999Seminole County Fair begins at the mall

   The parking lot hosted the first Seminole County Fair, which became an annual event.

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8. 1996United Artists cinema opens

   A ten-screen cinema opened in an outparcel south of the mall.

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9. 1995Mall opens

   JCPenney and Burdines opened on September 1, followed by the center's formal grand opening on September 22.

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10. 1993Construction begins

    Groundbreaking took place on September 9 after recession-related financing delays.

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11. 1990Dillard's commits to the proposed mall

    Melvin Simon & Associates announced Dillard's as an anchor for the planned Seminole Towne Center project.

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Originally positioned as an upscale super-regional mall serving northern and central Florida, the property later shifted toward value retail, fitness, seasonal tenants, and family entertainment as department stores and traditional mall traffic declined.

• Enclosed regional shopping mallCommercial real estate1995

  The core offering was a roughly 1.14-million-square-foot enclosed retail center serving shoppers from Seminole, Lake, and Volusia counties. It combined department-store anchors, specialty retail, restaurants, services, seasonal events, and adjacent entertainment uses. The enclosed mall closed in January 2025 as the property moved toward demolition and mixed-use redevelopment.

• Elev8 FunFamily entertainment2022

  Elev8 Fun occupies the former Sears building and provides a nontraditional entertainment anchor for the property. Its reported attractions include arcade games, bowling, go-karts, miniature golf, and pool. Because the building sits on a separate parcel, it was expected to remain open during redevelopment of the original enclosed mall.

• Seminole County FairCommunity event1999

  The mall's parking area hosted the annual Seminole County Fair beginning in 1999. Operated as a carnival-style community event, the fair became one of the property's recurring public attractions and continued for many years before the mall's closure.

• 1995Grand-opening advertising campaign

  Central Florida

  The opening campaign promoted Seminole Towne Center as a new upscale mall and used the advertising jingle “shop a new mall, mall.”

  Outcome. The mall reported approximately 200,000 visitors during its opening weekend.

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• 2025Enclosed mall closed for redevelopmentStrategy

  Long-term tenant losses, declining occupancy, operating problems, and proposed residential and mixed-use alternatives reduced the viability of the traditional mall format.

  What changed. The main enclosed mall closed at the end of January, and The Ardent Companies acquired the broader site for redevelopment.

  Aftermath. Plans called for apartments, restaurants, a movie theater, and Costco, with demolition of the original mall and phased construction of a replacement development.

  Reported acquisition price for 76-acre site. $17.5 million (March 2025)

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• 20244th Dimension buys out KohanM&A

  The property faced reported tax arrears, a temporary power disconnection, infrastructure problems, and a 79% occupancy rate.

  What changed. 4th Dimension acquired Kohan's share and paid the accumulated property-tax debt.

  Aftermath. The owner announced repair and leasing plans, but the site proceeded toward closure and redevelopment.

  Reported accumulated property-tax debt paid. $1.6 million (May 2024)

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• 2022Former Sears building converted to Elev8 FunProduct launch

  The Sears anchor had closed in 2018, leaving a large vacant building at a time when conventional department-store demand was declining.

  What changed. The building reopened as Elev8 Fun, a family entertainment center.

  Aftermath. The attraction provided a distinct entertainment use and was expected to remain open on its separate parcel during later redevelopment.

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• 2020Mall sold to Seminole Mall Realty HoldingM&A

  Washington Prime Group divested the property amid long-term pressure on traditional enclosed malls.

  What changed. The mall was sold to a joint venture of Kohan Retail Investment Group and 4th Dimension Properties.

  Aftermath. Kohan became the majority partner responsible for daily operations, while the property later experienced tax, utility, occupancy, and maintenance difficulties.

  Reported sale price. $52.3 million (March 2020)

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• 2012Former Belk anchor repositionedStrategy

  Belk had closed its store in 2010, leaving a large anchor building vacant.

  What changed. Dick's Sporting Goods was announced for the upper level and Burlington for the lower level.

  Aftermath. The building returned to partial retail use, although Burlington later relocated to a nearby power center.

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• 2009H&M selected the mall for an early Florida locationProduct launch

  The mall sought newer and more fashion-oriented tenants as traditional traffic weakened during the Great Recession.

  What changed. H&M opened a roughly 20,000-square-foot store, replacing Ann Taylor and Charlotte Russe space.

  Aftermath. The store strengthened the property's fashion positioning for a period, although broader anchor and traffic problems continued.

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• 2004Parisian stores converted to McRae'sStrategy

  Saks, Inc. planned to change its two Orlando-area Parisian stores after increased competition from other upscale department stores in the region.

  What changed. The Seminole Towne Center Parisian location was converted to the McRae's nameplate.

  Aftermath. McRae's was sold to Belk the following year, creating another anchor-brand transition.

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• 2025Seminole Towne Center announces closure of the enclosed mall

  The main enclosed mall closed at the end of January as the property moved toward redevelopment, while certain separately parceled anchors were expected to continue operating.

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• 2025The Ardent Companies acquires the mall site for redevelopment

  The Ardent Companies acquired the approximately 76-acre property and proposed replacing the former mall with a mixed-use development including housing, restaurants, entertainment, and Costco.

  M&A
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• 2024Power service temporarily disconnected over delinquent bills

  Electricity to the mall was reportedly disconnected for two days because of unpaid utility bills, although anchor stores with separate electrical connections were not affected.

  Other
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• 20244th Dimension Properties takes full ownership and resolves tax debt

  4th Dimension bought Kohan's interest, paid the property's accumulated tax debt, and announced plans to repair infrastructure and recruit tenants.

  M&A
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• 2023Mall reported delinquent on property taxes

  Reports stated that the property had not paid approximately $824,020 in 2022 property taxes, creating a potential foreclosure risk if the debt remained unresolved.

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• 2022Former Sears building reopens as Elev8 Fun

  The former Sears anchor was converted into Elev8 Fun, a family entertainment venue offering arcade games, bowling, go-karts, miniature golf, and pool.

  Product launch
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• 2020Seminole Towne Center sold to Kohan and 4th Dimension venture

  Washington Prime sold the mall to Seminole Mall Realty Holding, a joint venture between Kohan Retail Investment Group and 4th Dimension Properties.

  M&A
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• 2014Washington Prime Group spins Seminole Towne Center into a new property portfolio

  Simon Property Group transferred Seminole Towne Center and numerous other properties to Washington Prime Group in a corporate portfolio spin-off.

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1. Seminole Towne Center
2. Seminole Towne Center official website