The Gallery at Beach Place is up for sale

The Gallery at Beach Place — the 22-year-old mall that’s footsteps from the beach in Fort Lauderdale — is for sale.

It’s unknown what changes, if any, would be in store for the complex, which went up for sale in December.

A spokesman for Thor Equities, the leasing agent, declined to comment, including answering questions about the asking price and percentage of vacancies.

In November, Thor Equities announced two new tenants who signed 10-year leases: Con Murphy’s, a Philadelphia-based Irish pub and restaurant, and Mana Poke, a Hawaiian restaurant.

The Gallery at Beach Place opened in 1997 simply as “Beach Place.” The mix of entertainment and retail was meant to spark a commercial renewal of Fort Lauderdale’s beachfront, which had been rebuilding since the demise of Spring Break in the mid-1980s.

Mayor Dean J.Trantalis said the destination seems to have become more of bar and entertainment center, as opposed to a high-end retail and restaurant venue.

“Perhaps someone could do something with it,” where its owner would “re-imagine how it could

best suit the needs of the community,” he said.

It has faced a few rough patches: The city declared Beach Place a nuisance in December 2013 over complaints of drug-dealing and other criminal activity at the complex. It’s situated along State Road A1A, across from the beach, a few blocks north of Las Olas Boulevard. In 2015, the complex responded by hiring additional security.

Tenants at the center include Lulu’s Bait Shack, Maui Nix Surf Shop, CVS,

Escapology, Häagen-Dazs, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Staff Writer Brittany Wallman contributed to this report.

CARLINE JEAN/SUN SENTINEL The Gallery at Beach Place in Fort Lauderdale is for sale, but a representative would not disclose the price. The outdoor mall opened in 1997 simply as “Beach Place.”