What did Aventura Mall look like when it opened four decades ago? See for yourself
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What did Aventura Mall look like when it opened four decades ago? See for yourself

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Aventura Mall opened in April 1983 in a distinctly different South Florida landscape.

Four anchor stores run by Lord & Taylor. No cinema with 24 screens. Covering 1.2 million square feet, a fraction of the nearly 3 million square foot Aventura attraction has grown over the course of four decades.

MORE: Aventura Mall is more than just shopping – it’s an experience

Here is a visual tour of Aventura Mall in its earlier years using photos from the Miami Herald archives.

Workers polish the Lord & Taylor sign at Aventura Mall in its early years. Lord & Taylor was the first major tenant when Aventura opened in April 1983, along with a JCPenney, Sears and Macy's first store in Florida. Today only JCPenney and Macy's remain.Workers polish the Lord & Taylor sign at Aventura Mall in its early years. Lord & Taylor was the first major tenant when Aventura opened in April 1983, along with a JCPenney, Sears and Macy's first store in Florida. Today only JCPenney and Macy's remain.

Workers polish the Lord & Taylor sign at Aventura Mall in its early years. Lord & Taylor was the first major tenant when Aventura opened in April 1983, along with a JCPenney, Sears and Macy’s first store in Florida. Today only JCPenney and Macy’s remain.

A file photo dated February 11, 1998 at the Aventura Mall, located on US 1 south of the Broward-Dade line. Lord & Taylor was the first of four original presenters. The store closed in 2005.A file photo dated February 11, 1998 at the Aventura Mall, located on US 1 south of the Broward-Dade line. Lord & Taylor was the first of four original presenters. The store closed in 2005.

A file photo dated February 11, 1998 at the Aventura Mall, located on US 1 south of the Broward-Dade line. Lord & Taylor was the first of four original presenters. The store closed in 2005.

In this 1989 file photo, Don Morris (left) and Jesus Portuondo, both Telephone Pioneers of America volunteers, add more fruit to the one-ton fruit salad prepared at Aventura Mall.In this 1989 file photo, Don Morris (left) and Jesus Portuondo, both Telephone Pioneers of America volunteers, add more fruit to the one-ton fruit salad prepared at Aventura Mall.

In this 1989 file photo, Don Morris (left) and Jesus Portuondo, both Telephone Pioneers of America volunteers, add more fruit to the one-ton fruit salad prepared at Aventura Mall.

A demonstration aeurobics event at Aventura Mall in 1991.A demonstration aeurobics event at Aventura Mall in 1991.

A demonstration aeurobics event at Aventura Mall in 1991.

Thursday 9/13/01 - Richard Patterson/for the Herald - From left: Dean Shechtman of Aventura watches his daughter Taylor Shechtman, 20 months, dance to some oldies played by Mel Olman of Hollywood and a piano player in the Aventura shopping center for 6 years in the shopping center. 3 out of 3Thursday 9/13/01 - Richard Patterson/for the Herald - From left: Dean Shechtman of Aventura watches his daughter Taylor Shechtman, 20 months, dance to some oldies played by Mel Olman of Hollywood and a piano player in the Aventura shopping center for 6 years in the shopping center. 3 out of 3

Thursday 9/13/01 – Richard Patterson/for the Herald – From left: Dean Shechtman of Aventura watches his daughter Taylor Shechtman, 20 months, dance to some oldies played by Mel Olman of Hollywood and a piano player in the Aventura shopping center for 6 years in the shopping center. 3 out of 3

Back when the AMC 24 Theater was new at Aventura Mall. This July 24, 1998 file photo shows the interior of the southeast side of the mall. Two three-story parking garages were added to serve some of these anchor spots, which for a few years included a Rainforest Café across from the movie theaters.Back when the AMC 24 Theater was new at Aventura Mall. This July 24, 1998 file photo shows the interior of the southeast side of the mall. Two three-story parking garages were added to serve some of these anchor spots, which for a few years included a Rainforest Café across from the movie theaters.

Back when the AMC 24 Theater was new at Aventura Mall. This July 24, 1998 file photo shows the interior of the southeast side of the mall. Two three-story parking garages were added to serve some of these anchor spots, which for a few years included a Rainforest Café across from the movie theaters.

Years before Taylor Swift could attract hordes of young girls, Aventura Mall hosted a fashion show for Years before Taylor Swift could attract hordes of young girls, Aventura Mall hosted a fashion show for

Years before Taylor Swift could attract hordes of young girls, Aventura Mall hosted a fashion show for “tween” girls ages 7 to 14, drawing hundreds of people to a fashion show and competition promotional event. This July 7, 2001 file photo is from the Passion for Fashion “Tween” fashion show.

An aerial view of Aventura Mall in North Miami-Dade on March 14, 2001. The mall has undergone several renovations and expansions since it opened in 1983, including in 2017.An aerial view of Aventura Mall in North Miami-Dade on March 14, 2001. The mall has undergone several renovations and expansions since it opened in 1983, including in 2017.

An aerial view of Aventura Mall in North Miami-Dade on March 14, 2001. The mall has undergone several renovations and expansions since it opened in 1983, including in 2017.

In this Jan. 22, 2004, file photo, Jesur Mier dresses the mannequin at Burdines in the Aventura Mall. Burdines in South Florida and Macy's in New York merged that year and all stores initially used a hyphenated name. It was part of a Federated Department Store strategy to promote the Macy's name nationally while maintaining Burdines' local flavor.In this Jan. 22, 2004, file photo, Jesur Mier dresses the mannequin at Burdines in the Aventura Mall. Burdines in South Florida and Macy's in New York merged that year and all stores initially used a hyphenated name. It was part of a Federated Department Store strategy to promote the Macy's name nationally while maintaining Burdines' local flavor.

An undated file photo showing the restaurant wing of Aventura Mall, which was part of an expansion in the late 1990s. The Cheesecake Factory first opened in Kendall at Dadeland Mall before opening at Aventura Mall. In the late 1990s, in addition to the Cocowalk location in Coconut Grove, there was also a Café Tu Tu Tango at Aventura Mall.An undated file photo showing the restaurant wing of Aventura Mall, which was part of an expansion in the late 1990s. The Cheesecake Factory first opened in Kendall at Dadeland Mall before opening at Aventura Mall. In the late 1990s, in addition to the Cocowalk location in Coconut Grove, there was also a Café Tu Tu Tango at Aventura Mall.

An undated file photo showing the restaurant wing of Aventura Mall, which was part of an expansion in the late 1990s. The Cheesecake Factory first opened in Kendall at Dadeland Mall before opening at Aventura Mall. In the late 1990s, in addition to the Cocowalk location in Coconut Grove, there was also a Café Tu Tu Tango at Aventura Mall.

Gino Gaetano plays the piano in the old food court at Aventura Mall on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2010, while an audience member dances in the background.Gino Gaetano plays the piano in the old food court at Aventura Mall on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2010, while an audience member dances in the background.

Gino Gaetano plays the piano in the old food court at Aventura Mall on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2010, while an audience member dances in the background.

In this November 14, 2009 file photo, Santa Claus arrives at Aventura Mall at Christmas time.In this November 14, 2009 file photo, Santa Claus arrives at Aventura Mall at Christmas time.

In this November 14, 2009 file photo, Santa Claus arrives at Aventura Mall at Christmas time.

An Aventura Mall sign along US1 in this Feb. 11, 1998 file photo.An Aventura Mall sign along US1 in this Feb. 11, 1998 file photo.

An Aventura Mall sign along US1 in this Feb. 11, 1998 file photo.

An aerial view of Carsten Höller's 93-foot-long glass-and-steel slide and Robert Indiana's An aerial view of Carsten Höller's 93-foot-long glass-and-steel slide and Robert Indiana's

An aerial view of Carsten Höller’s 93-foot-long glass-and-steel slide and Robert Indiana’s “Love” sculpture on Wednesday morning, September 25, 2024. The image welcomes visitors to Aventura Mall, one of the largest and most popular shopping centers in the United States .

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