Sun Sentinel Broward Edition

Plantation Sears losing half its space

Westfield Broward mall adding dining and entertainm­ent

- By Lisa J. Huriash Staff writer

The Westfield Broward mall’s Sears store in Plantation will be reduced in size by its landlord to make way for new shops, outdoor dining and entertainm­ent space, including bowling and video games, according to records.

The names of the six restaurant­s and five new retail shops in the developmen­t project, which would be “north of [a] $20 million investment,” haven’t been announced yet.

The new site will be “a place to be seen,” said Paul D’Arelli, senior vice president of Seritage Growth Properties, which is the company that bought 235 Sears and K-Mart stores in 49 states and Puerto Rico in 2015, and to them.

Sears Holdings Corp. sold properties for $2.7 billion.

Sears’ 180,000-square-foot space occupies two floors at the Westfield Mall, formerly known as the Broward Mall, at University Drive and Broward Boulevard. Under the plan, it will be downsized by half, including to exclude all of its auto center.

Seritage officials said they will file site plans with Plantation City leases the space back the Hall next week.

Constructi­on could be complete by late next year. Paperwork submitted to City Hall shows the preliminar­y name of the project is “Plaza at Broward Mall.”

D’Arelli said the proposed site will be a “vibrant, active hub” and have a “sophistica­ted vibe.”

D’Arelli told the Sun Sentinel on Thursday that the company has already informally notified Sears in a “preliminar­y discussion” it will “recapture” the space. The store will own how

“We want this to be a beacon of excitement and energy,” he said of the new project.

Said Mayor Diane Veltri Bendekovic: “I think it’s the missing part we need in the Westfield Mall.” have to decide to rearrange its

lhuriash@sunsentine­l.com, 954-572-2008 or Twitter @LisaHurias­h on its inventory.

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