Miami's Last Sears Store Faces Redevelopment: The End of an Era in South Florida Retail
Historic Miami Sears Location Poised for Transformation
The iconic Sears department store at Coral Way and Douglas Road—the last of its kind in Miami-Dade and Broward counties—appears headed for extinction as redevelopment plans gain momentum. The Miami city government approved an ambitious mixed-use development proposal for the 8-acre site in April 2025, potentially ending the store's remarkable 71-year run at this location.
Property owner RK Associates has listed the valuable site for sale, with real estate investment firm CBRE handling the listing. The approved development plan showcases three eight-story buildings containing 1,050 residential units and approximately 50,000 square feet of retail space—notably smaller than the current 192,493-square-foot Sears footprint. The architectural renderings, created by local firm Behar Font Partners, notably exclude any space for the existing department store.
"This extraordinary opportunity will appeal to a wide range of developers," noted Robert Given, vice chairman at CBRE. "The site's scale and proximity to Coral Gables provide an unparalleled opportunity to create a mixed-use enclave in one of South Florida's most sought-after locations."
The Twilight of a Retail Giant
Once boasting nearly 3,000 locations nationwide, Sears has dwindled to just eight remaining stores across America, with only two in Florida—the Miami location and one in Orlando. The company's holding group, Transformco, has remained silent regarding the Miami store's future, declining to comment on potential closure dates despite repeated inquiries.
The Miami Sears, often colloquially called the "Coral Gables Sears" due to its proximity to that upscale community, has weathered decades of changing retail trends since opening in 1954. Miami historian Paul George explains what made this particular location special: "What made the Sears store so distinctive was its size, its vast array of products and services and its location on the eastern edge of Miracle Mile and the Gables."
The store's prime location near LeJeune Road—just five miles from Miami International Airport—once made it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. "It seemingly had everything," George recalled. "This one has remained so long, I believe, because of its great location. Another big plus—plenty of free parking."
Today, however, visitors encounter deep discounts and sparsely populated aisles, a stark contrast to the bustling crowds that characterized the store during its heyday.
Development Details and Timeline
The proposed redevelopment takes full advantage of Florida's Live Local Act, which permits developers to build taller, denser projects than local zoning typically allows if they designate 40% of residential units for renters earning up to 120% of the local median household income—currently $96,000 in Miami-Dade County.
Beyond the residential component, the development plans feature pedestrian-friendly paseos, numerous courtyards, and parking accommodations for over 1,900 vehicles. While CBRE has not disclosed the asking price for this prime piece of real estate, industry experts anticipate significant interest given the location's desirability.
Brad Capas, the listing agent handling the property, explained through CBRE communication director Justin Luera: "It's too soon to determine when construction can begin or when a new project might open. The development plan, handling of Sears, project design and construction timing will be determined by the ultimate buyer."
Real estate professionals familiar with similar projects caution that actual construction might still be years away. The Fort Lauderdale Searstown location, which closed in 2022 after operating since 1955, wasn't demolished until January 2024. That property, also previously owned by RK Centers before being acquired by Denver-based developer Aimco, is now being transformed into another mixed-use development featuring residences, retail spaces, and a hotel.
Prime Location in a Thriving District
The site's exceptional location significantly enhances its development potential. CBRE's Given highlighted how the property sits near Coral Gables' premier retail, dining, office, and entertainment destinations, with the surrounding area boasting an average household income exceeding $198,000.
Future residents would enjoy walkable access to the charming open-air Giralda Plaza with its diverse restaurant offerings, the expansive Plaza Coral Gables mixed-use development, and the historic Miracle Theatre. The upscale Shops at Merrick Park open-air mall lies just one mile away.
This prime positioning within Miami's urban fabric explains why developers view the site as an extraordinary opportunity despite the cultural significance of replacing a historic retail landmark.
South Florida's Vanishing Sears Legacy
The potential closure of this Miami location represents the final chapter in Sears' once-dominant presence across South Florida. The region previously featured numerous prominent Sears stores among the thousands nationwide.
Recent years have witnessed a systematic disappearance of these retail institutions:
- The Aventura Mall Sears in North Miami-Dade closed and was demolished in 2017, replaced by the Esplanade Aventura open-air retail and entertainment complex
- Cutler Bay's Southland Mall Sears, which survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992, shuttered in 2020
- The Palm Beach Gardens location closed in May 2024
- Key West's Sears closed in 2022
- Perhaps most historically significant, the Biscayne Boulevard Sears in downtown Miami—which opened in 1929 as one of the company's flagship locations—closed in 1983
One architectural remnant of Sears' Miami legacy remains visible: the Art Deco entrance tower from the Biscayne Boulevard store was preserved and incorporated into the design of the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center in 2001, a testament to the brand's historical importance to the city.
Insights About Miami's Last Sears Store
Why is this Sears location historically significant?
This particular Sears has stood at the same location since 1954, making it a multi-generational landmark in Miami. The site was originally considered by the Miami City Commission to be the location for a new Orange Bowl before Sears developed it. For decades, it served as one of South Florida's premier shopping destinations, known for its comprehensive merchandise offerings and prime location.
What will happen to the employees if the store closes?
While Transformco has not made public statements about potential closure or employee transitions, retail industry analysts suggest that store closure announcements typically include severance or transfer options for existing staff. As one of only eight remaining Sears locations nationwide, options for transfers would be extremely limited.
How does this development reflect broader retail trends?
The transformation of department store properties into mixed-use developments represents a nationwide trend as consumer shopping habits increasingly shift online. Department stores that once anchored American retail are being reimagined as multi-purpose community spaces combining residential, retail, entertainment, and dining options—creating more diverse, walkable urban environments that appeal to changing lifestyle preferences.
When might construction actually begin?
Based on similar redevelopment projects, construction could still be years away. The site must first sell to a developer who will then need to finalize plans, secure additional permits, and coordinate the store's closure. The Fort Lauderdale Searstown redevelopment timeline suggests a multi-year process between sale announcement and actual construction.
Will any element of the original Sears be preserved?
The current development plans show no preservation elements from the existing Sears structure. Unlike the downtown Miami Sears, whose Art Deco tower was incorporated into the Arsht Center, the architectural style of the Coral Way location does not feature similarly distinctive elements that would likely merit preservation.
