Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
The Fashion Mall
The Plantation shopping destination that closed a decade ago has been demolished.
The Fashion Mall — the Plantation shopping destination that closed a decade ago — has been demolished.
Crews have completed removing more than 28,000 tons of concrete, leaving only office space and a 2,600-space parking garage.
Meanwhile, the groundwork has begun for its replacement: Plantation Walk, a $350 million development with 700 rental apartments, office space and 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurants.
Though construction is expected to start next year, workers are adding water mains for plumbing. Crews also are painting and installing new lighting, railings and elevators in the parking garage. The office building, which was gutted to be rebuilt, should be complete by April.
“It’s always great to see progress,” said developer Art Falcone, of Encore Capital Management. For “the western suburbs, which have become a lot more urbanized, this is the perfect setting to create more of an urbanized setting [for a] live, work, play environment.”
On Nov. 17, 1988, the Fashion Mall drew about 40,000 people for its grand opening, featuring a ceremony with television personality Vanna White. Years later, it saw decline, with several proposed redevelopment plans not panning out. Macy's closed in 2005, damaged by Hurricane Wilma. The rest of the mall closed in 2007.
Now, Plantation Walk is one of Plantation’s most anticipated projects. Some of the new apartments will be built on top of retail space for a total of seven stories, and two stand-alone apartment complexes would range from eight to 12 stories.
Plantation Walk isn’t the only work underway for Falcone.
His other projects in Broward County include The Rise Flagler Village in downtown Fort Lauderdale — a 30-story, 348-unit-rental apartment project at 405 NE 2nd St. Construction is expected to begin in January.
He says he also is in the process of opening an office in Beijing to attract Chinese nationals looking to buy investment homes across the United States. The sales office is expected to be open in early 2018.
“This is the perfect setting to create more of an urbanized setting [for a] live, work, play environment.” Art Falcone, of Encore Capital Management