Four ways Miami malls are transforming retail shopping

Miami malls are pioneering a new era of "retailtainment" to reinvigorate shopping.

Some of the changes blend traditional retail with entertainment.

Investments in attractions like Elev8 Fun at Miami International Mall, featuring go-karts, arcades and bowling lanes, reflect the shift toward experiential spaces over mere commerce. Renovations at The Falls and Esplanade at Aventura incorporate dining, fitness centers and retailers such as The LEGO Store and luxury salons.

Take a look at what's new.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The coming Elev8 Fun center inside Miami International Mall set for early 2025 will feature a go-kart track.

NO. 1: THIS OLD MIAMI MALL IS GETTING A MODERN MEGA ENTERTAINMENT CENTER. HERE’S A PEEK INSIDE

Elev8 Fun is scheduled to open in early 2025. | Published January 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

The Kiddie Park at the 163rd Street Shopping Center had an amusement park, like these helicopter rides, when the North Miami-Dade mall opened in November 1956. By 1980, construction began to enclose the mall and the outdoor amusement had been confined to history pages. The center was also renamed The Mall at 163rd Street. By Flashback South Florida-Memories & Memorabilia

NO. 2: THIS MIAMI MALL IS ABOUT TO CHANGE. WHAT WAS IT LIKE AT THE START? LET’S TAKE A LOOK

Go inside what was once an entertainment attraction. | Published March 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

In this file photo from May 19, 2008, The Falls mall is seen as a lush, open-air shopping destination. The mall, opened in 1980, remains picturesque but will have new handrails and lighting and other cosmetic updates by the summer of 2024 says Simon management. By Allison Diaz

NO. 3: WHAT’S UP WITH THE FACELIFT AT THE FALLS? HERE ARE 8 STORES COMING TO THE KENDALL MALL

The shopping center opened in 1980. | Published May 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

The LEGO Store opened a new location inside Esplanade at Aventure in the fall of 2024.

NO. 4: THIS AVENTURA SHOPPING COMPLEX IS EXPANDING WITH NEW STORES AND CAFES. HERE’S THE LIST

What to know about what’s coming. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.