Sunrise emerges as Broward’s new downtown
By Jeff Zbar | South Florida Business Journal | December 3, 2019
David Gott is general manager of Sawgrass Mills.
JOCK FISTICK / SOUTH FLORIDA BUSINESS JOURNAL
Though the facility is a stone’s throw from the Everglades on the edge of developed Broward, many see Sunrise as the county’s next bustling “downtown.” Along with the arena, developments like the Sawgrass Mills mall, and an expansion on 143 acres surrounding the BB&T Center itself are poised to create a hub that developers, city leaders and property managers see as an alternative to downtowns to the east.
Long considered one of Broward’s quintessential “bedroom communities,” where people commute to and from their jobs to the east, Sunrise is now becoming known as the “Downtown of the West.” With iconic properties such as Swedish retailer IKEA, the ever-expanding dining and shopping options at Sawgrass Mills, and more than 100 concert dates hosted at the BB&T Center, tens of millions of visitors descend upon the city annually.
Many of those drive north from Miami-Dade County, south from Palm Beach County, and west from Broward’s eastern fringes – even across Interstate 75 for shopping and entertainment options not found in Southwest Florida.
What the city lacks is a focal point that will entice residents and tourists from across the region to come to Sunrise. Developers and property managers believe that nexus is forming.
The BB&T Center – soon to be renamed “Truist” for the bank’s new parent – is poised for a makeover. Plans for the 143 acres of open land and parking lots around the county-owned arena could include restaurants and shops, a hotel, more than 1 million square feet of office space, and apartments. Some have floated the idea of an eventual casino.
Home to the Florida Panthers, the arena could play a more central role in the area’s entertainment development. Consider other true downtowns around the country. Cities like Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Detroit; St. Louis and Los Angeles have arenas or stadiums within a robust, mixed-use city center. Some envision a trip to Sunrise including an afternoon of shopping, a sit-down dinner, then a game or show at the BB&T.
Add in the concept of an east-west rail line from Fort Lauderdale, and the prospect of heading west for shopping, dining or an event becomes even more enticing for millions of people, said Sean McCaffrey, COO of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Florida Panthers and manager of the arena.
“The downtown west concept is taking shape,” he said. “People want an experience outside the arena to change how they socialize. They want something that can become a four- or five-hour outing, as opposed to a two-hour outing.”
Since it opened in 1990, Sawgrass Mills has lured patrons from across the region. Its luxury Colonnade Outlets area has expanded three times since opening in 2006, said David Gott, Sawgrass Mills’ general manager. This spring, ground broke on a 174-room AC by Marriott on the southeastern side of the mall. It will offer business lodging options with lower room rates not found to the east, he added.
Once only home to traditional indoor food courts, the mall has evolved to offer a host of sit-down dining options at the outdoor Colonnade and Oasis areas. The mall most recently added a Yard House and Texas de Brazil steakhouse. And three more restaurants are planned, creating a stronger draw for people to visit Sawgrass Mills.
“We don’t think we’ve hit critical mass with the restaurants,” Gott said.
Developers are also incorporating plans for shuttles and trolleys around area attractions, ride-share stops, and car-sharing and car club programs into their projects. With all the development, some predict the county’s 20-year vision of a “downtown Sunrise” will come alive within the next decade.