Mall at University Town Center


The Mall at University Town Center is a shopping mall located in Sarasota County, Florida just south of the Manatee County line near the community of Lakewood Ranch. It opened on October 16, 2014 and is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, and Dillard's.

History

The Mall at University Town Center began in 2002, when the Benderson Corporation purchased the land and announced their intention to build the land into a regional mall. In 2007, Nordstrom signed a letter of intent to open at the mall. Neiman Marcus and Macy's signed letters of intent soon after, with a planned groundbreaking in 2008 and a planned opening in 2010. The Taubman Corp. joined the project in May 2008, a 50/50 split with Benderson. In Summer of 2009, the project was placed on hold due to a recession, and the three planned anchor stores pulled out.
On October 15, 2012, a revamped Mall at University Town Center was unveiled. Macy's rejoined the project, this time joined by Dillard's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Construction commenced soon after, and the $315 million project officially opened two years later. The mall was the first new-build enclosed shopping mall to be built in more than five years.

The District at UTC

The District East and The District West are two shopping centers located just east and west of the Mall at UTC. The District West includes retailers such as Super Target, Best Buy, and Old Navy. The District East is slated to include shopping, hotels, a movie theater and housing. Bordering Nathan Benderson Park, home of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. The District East is currently under development.