Did you know that Brandon Mall, now known as Brandon Exchange, sits on land that was once a cattle farm? Before the hustle and bustle of shoppers, cows roamed where you now find stores like Apple and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Brandon Exchange has a vibrant history. It opened in 1995 as Brandon Town Center. In its first seventeen days, the mall served a million shoppers. That’s quite a grand opening.
Originally, Brandon Town Center had 974000 square feet of retail space. Its first anchor stores included Sears, JCPenney, Burdines, and Dillard’s. Maas Brothers had also signed on. However, it filed for bankruptcy and was absorbed into Burdines before the mall’s completion.
In 2002, the Westfield Group acquired the town center. They renamed it Westfield Shoppingtown Brandon. During this transition, the mall’s distinctive fountains featuring metal sculptures of Florida wildlife were removed. They were replaced with vendor kiosks.
The Burdines store was renamed Macy’s in March 2005. It briefly operated as Burdines-Macy’s. The palm tree columns, reminiscent of the “Burdines style” of architecture, remained. The “Shoppingtown” part of the name was dropped in June 2005.
A 150000-square-foot expansion was announced in 2006. This addition included a Dick’s Sporting Goods anchor. More retail outlets and restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and Starbucks were also added. The expansion was completed in the spring of 2007.
The new wing brought stores like the Apple Store, Books-A-Million, DSW, Fossil, Sephora, Tillys, and The Walking Company. It became a shopper’s paradise.
Sears closed its doors on April 18, 2021. This was part of a plan to close 23 stores nationwide. Times were changing at Brandon Exchange.
In May 2023, Westfield sold the Brandon shopping mall. North American Development Group, a West Palm Beach-based real estate firm, bought it for $220 million. The Westfield branding was then dropped.
In late May 2024, Brandon Mall became Brandon Exchange. The property received updated branding and a new website. It marked a new chapter in its history.
Today, Brandon Exchange is strategically located. It sits on approximately 156 acres. It is at the intersection of I-75, SR60, and the Selmon Expressway. This provides excellent connectivity throughout the Tampa MSA and Florida.
Brandon Exchange ranks in the top 1% of shopping centers in Florida. This is measured by foot traffic. Inline tenants achieve impressive sales. They make around $800 per square foot.
The mall is home to many successful retailers. These include Apple, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and Sephora. You’ll also find Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cheesecake Factory, Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, and Starbucks.
Brandon Exchange is a hub. It is located in the fastest-growing region in the Tampa MSA. It has an expansive and growing consumer trade area. The population within 30 minutes exceeds 1.5 million. Since 2010, it has increased 24%.
So, next time you’re here, remember the history beneath your feet. From cattle farm to bustling mall, Brandon Exchange has transformed over the years. It continues to evolve.