Radiant Partners announced Tuesday that new demolition at the Santa Rosa Mall will begin within the next 30 days, focusing on the old Dillard’s building and former food court area as part of its ongoing redevelopment project.
- The partial demolition marks a new phase in the transformation of the mall property, which Radiant Partners has been redeveloping since acquiring the Dillard’s department store building in early 2023.
“We are excited to begin the next phase of this transformation,” said Radiant Partners in a statement on Tuesday morning. “The demolition is the first step in bringing our vision of a vibrant, mixed-use development to life.”
The company, working with its management firm NBI Properties, is targeting specific sections of the property that will no longer serve as retail space. The demolition advances Radiant Partners’ master plan to create what it describes as an “interconnected, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development with layered housing options.”
This follows previous redevelopment efforts at the mall. In 2022, Phase 1 of the Renaissance Santa Rosa Apartment complex was completed in the former Belk section.
- The City of Mary Esther’s Local Planning Agency also approved a preliminary development order in May 2022 for Phase 2, a 206-unit apartment complex planned for 8.25 acres on the east side of Phase 1 where the new demolition is slated to take place.
When Radiant Partners announced its acquisition of the Dillard’s property in November 2022, David Schonberger, Managing Partner of Radiant Partners, indicated the company’s long-term approach would include residential, retail, medical, education and entertainment uses.
- The company states the redevelopment aims to enhance the community while serving as a catalyst for further growth and revitalization in the Mary Esther area.
As demolition progresses, Radiant Partners plans to continue its planning and design efforts, which will include sustainable practices and community-focused elements throughout the redevelopment. The company has promised to provide additional updates and details about the project as they become available.
7 Responses
When will the new apartments be finished??
Bring back the damn mall!!
That whole mall needs to be redone. At least give what’s left of the mall a face lift.
The rents on these apartments is unaffordable for the residents who live here. Why can’t someone build an apartment complex that is reasonably priced?
We now have no decent places to shop. I’m not driving all the way to Pensacola as the trip has become a nightmare experience. In the summer, the tourist traffic is horrible. I can’t afford to shop in Destin. The stores in Destin are not places that a person on fixed income can shop.
This area offers little amenities for local residents. All we seem to see here in Mary Esther are yet more car washes, gas stations and storage facilities. There is really nothing interesting or cultural. I’ve lived here since 1994 and watched, with sadness, the decline of this areas.
We don’t even have a shopping mall. I’ve never lived in a town with no shopping mall. We only have online places to shop now.
The unbridled greed is sickening. I think I read that a 602 square foot apartment will cost around $1800.00. Who can afford the rent for, basically, a tiny closet? The planning commission has really let us down in every way.
Let’s think of the locals for a change!
I have heard this whole area will be home to military and tourist. This area will start looking like Daytona Beach. Sadly, this is what out of town companies want for this area. They have been gentrifying this area one part at a time. Blue Collar and retirees will no longer have a place in this area. Blue Collar workers will be replaced by AI and Robots soon. The county and city commissioners only care about the money that brought in from tourist along with protecting the military.
Say Dat Shit!!! Preach
Amen. What the heck does “ pedestrian-friendly” mean. All I can see is walking from one over price apartment building to another.