Business

A look at the early days of some Miami malls, and the future of others

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

Let's take a look back at the start of two trailblazing Miami malls: Bayside and CocoWalk. Bayside opened as a waterfront destination with shops and eateries in 1987, while CocoWalk followed with theaters and stores in 1990.

And looking ahead ... Midway Crossings plans to welcome a Macy’s store even as others close. Meanwhile, Miami Beach is launching a Lincoln Road makeover aiming to revive its pedestrian charm.

Catch up with our coverage below.

In 1993, the stairways leading up to CocoWalk’s AMC theaters in the Grove. By Donna E. Natale

NO. 1: COCOWALK AND BAYSIDE MARKETPLACE CHANGED MIAMI. SEE HOW LANDMARKS LOOKED AT THE START

They looked different in these early photos. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

In this file photo from June 12, 2017, a repairman fixes the neon sign on the exterior of Miami Beach’s Macy’s that once was a Burdines store (hence the “Sunshine Fashions” lettering.) By CARL JUSTE

NO. 2: MACY’S HAS BEEN CLOSING STORES — NOW A MIAMI MALL SAYS IT’S PLANNING TO ADD ONE

Mall property manager confirms the department store has a lease. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

A man walking along Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road Mall is reflected in the window of a vacant shop. By Alexia Fodere

NO. 3: LINCOLN ROAD REVIVAL? MIAMI BEACH HOPES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR MAKEOVER BRINGS BACK CROWDS

After a decade of planning, delay and debate, the city of Miami Beach has broken ground on a scaled-down version of a multimillion-dollar renovation plan for Lincoln Road Mall that aims to restore some of the famed pedestrian promenade’s lost shine. | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Andres Viglucci

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