| The Mall at University Town Center | |
| Location: | Sarasota, Florida, United States |
| Address: | 140 University Town Center Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 |
| Developer: | Taubman Centers/Benderson |
| Manager: | Taubman Centers/Benderson |
| Owner: | Taubman Centers/Benderson |
| Architect: | JPRA Architects[1] |
| Number Of Stores: | 100+[2] |
| Number Of Anchors: | 3 |
| Floors: | 2 |
The Mall at University Town Center is a shopping mall located in Sarasota County, Florida, United States, just south of the Manatee County line near the planned community of Lakewood Ranch. It opened on October 16, 2014[3] and is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy's, Apple and Dillard's.
The Mall at University Town Center began in 2002 when 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 the Great Recession, and the three planned anchor stores pulled out.[4]
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.[5] Groundbreaking would occur on October 15, 2012.[6] The Mall would officially open on October 16, 2014. At the time of its opening it was the first regional shopping center built in Sarasota in 35 years and was one of two enclosed malls that opened in the United States during 2014.[7]
During the COVID-19 pandemic the mall would close starting on March 19, 2020 and ended up reopening on May 6.[8] [9]
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, Old Navy, Best Buy, Ulta Beauty, Petco, and Dick's Sporting Goods. 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.[10] The District East is currently under development.[11]
On June 29, 2023, it was announced that Christmas Tree Shops would be closing as part of a plan to close all 82 stores nationwide. The store closed on August 12, 2023.[12]