South Miami’s Sunset Place to Be Demolished and Reborn as 7-Tower Urban Village with 1,500+ Residences, Hotel & Theater
The long-time landmark known as Shops at Sunset Place—a sprawling, open-air mall that opened its doors in 1999—has officially entered its final act. After decades of dwindling foot traffic and frequent tenant turnovers, South Miami’s City Commission unanimously approved the mall’s demolition earlier this year. The aim? To clear the way for a sweeping redevelopment set to redefine the area’s urban identity.
From Mall to “Village”: Heatherwick Studio’s Vision
London-based Heatherwick Studio, led by acclaimed designer Thomas Heatherwick, has been tapped to reinvent the site as a vibrant, walkable community. The plan: dismantle the monolithic mall—and all but its parking structure—to make room for a mosaic of low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings artfully arranged around a new pedestrian-friendly street grid.
By reintroducing continuous streets that flow into the site—an urban concept Heatherwick describes as “bringing back streets”—developers hope to activate the core of the development and weave it into the larger South Miami fabric.
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
What to Expect: A Mixed‑Use Urban Destination
The approved master plan includes:
Residential units: 1,513 residences will bring a built-in population to enliven the streets
Retail and dining: A pedestrian-friendly “restaurant street” is envisioned, lined with boutique shops, cafés, bakeries, and restaurants—each storefront thoughtfully unique
Central public plaza: A sprawling, open-air plaza (approximately 15,000 square feet) will serve as the social heart of the project, ideal for pop-ups, markets, and nightlife
Hotel, offices, and theater: The redevelopment will include a boutique 287-key hotel, 50,892 square feet of office space, and a theater—possibly relocating the AMC cinema—which will amplify the site’s 18/7 vibrancy
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
Towering Heights: Gradual Density Integration
Heatherwick Studio’s design sensibility emerges in the height variations across the site:
| Zone | Max Height |
|---|---|
| Sunset Drive edge | 2 stories |
| Village core | 12–15 stories |
| Central core | Up to 25 stories |
| US‑1 gateway | Up to 33 stories |
This scaling plan delicately transitions the neighborhood from pedestrian-level charm (near Sunset Drive) to skyline-defining towers facing U.S. 1.
Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
Sunset Place isn’t the first retail experiment at this site. It traces its roots back to the Bakery Centre (1986–1996), a similarly sized retail‑office complex that failed. That history has made architects and developers cautious—but excited to “break the cycle of soulless places” in favor of designs meant to foster place and community.
Midtown Development acquired the site in early 2021—coincidentally in the thick of the COVID downturn—and partnered with Heatherwick to reimagine what a future‑forward South Miami centerpiece could be.
A Long-Brewing Transformation Timeline
Demolition of the Shops at Sunset Place is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026, assuming approvals and site preparations stay on track. The mammoth redevelopment will unfold in multiple phases over the next 10 years. The very first phase—highlighted by newly constructed streets, a residential condo tower, and a 287‑room hotel—is expected to be delivered by 2029, according to city and developer projections.
While the full buildout will extend well beyond that, early activations such as pop-up shops, interim public plazas, and community programming may be introduced during construction to maintain momentum and vibrancy on the site. Midtown Development has emphasized its commitment to supporting local businesses and keeping the area lively throughout the transformation, ensuring that Sunset Place remains an engaging part of South Miami—even as construction progresses.
A Cultural and Urban Pivot
This isn’t just a structural overhaul—it’s a cultural shift. South Miami has committed to transforming a dormant, car-centric mall into an integrated, pedestrian-first destination. The redesign nods to European plazas with outdoor café seating while embracing modern mixed-use energy. It’s a bold move that channels global urban trends into this beloved Miami community.
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
Credit: Heatherwick Studio
Looking Ahead: A Bold New Vision for South Miami
Surpassing its legacy as a fading suburban mall, Sunset Place is poised to become a reinhabited, reactivated slice of South Miami. With Heatherwick Studio’s forward-thinking architecture, 1,513 new residences, lively streetscapes, and dynamic public spaces, what replaces it has the potential to become a transformative anchor for the region. For residents, developers, and visitors, this long-awaited change is more than construction—it’s the start of a more connected, walkable, and animated downtown South Miami.
Stay tuned as the cranes arrive, the streets return, and Sunset Place reboots—this time, as an urban village crafted for communities more than car trips.
