Expand / Collapse search
☰

Seminole Towne Center closure: Major redevelopment planned for Sanford mall

By
Published  January 9, 2025 11:30pm EST
Seminole County
FOX 35 Orlando

The Brief

    • Sanford officials announced the redevelopment of the Seminole Towne Center mall, the largest project of its kind in Seminole County.
    • The new plan includes a mixed-use complex with retail, residential, dining, and entertainment options, with completion expected in 3-4 years.
    • The project will increase the mall's assessed value to $500 million, and current tenants will vacate by the end of the month.

SANFORD, Fla. - Sanford officials have announced that the redevelopment of the Seminole Towne Center mall will be the largest project of its kind in Seminole County's history.

"A project this size and this amount of money is obviously a difficult thing to put together, but we are still confident it will be going forward," said Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff.

New investor plans for mixed-use complex

City leaders are working with a new investor to redevelop the mall, although they declined to name the company. This follows the news that the Gilbane Company will not lead the project, with the city hoping to wrap up the deal by next Wednesday.

While the search for a new owner continues, officials plan to replace the current mall with a mixed-use commercial, residential, dining, and entertainment complex. The redevelopment is expected to be completed within the next three to four years.

Exciting additions to redeveloped mall

What we know:

The project will include the current Elev8, Dillard’s, JC Penney, and Dick's Sporting Goods, along with new attractions such as a California Pizza Kitchen, a Guy Fieri chicken restaurant, a movie theater, and a possible new Costco location.

"We're still excited about it. This will be a great project for Sanford, Seminole County, and for Central Florida, in general," said Woodruff.

What we don't know:

While we do know that the mall portion of the Seminole Towne Center will be closed by Jan. 31, a timeline for redevelopment is unclear.  The main anchors are expected to stay open though.

Significant economic impact expected

What they're saying:

Brady Lessard, Sanford’s economic development director, stated that current mall tenants would move out by the end of the month. He added that the fully redeveloped site would have an assessed value of about $500 million, ten times the current assessment.

"The scope of the redevelopment has grown to the point it’s bringing in additional capital investors that will be taking the lead," Lessard said.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:

The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Sanford Mayor Art Woodruff.

Seminole CountySanfordEconomy