These were South Florida’s biggest retail leases of 2019

South Florida’s retail leasing market is in transition, as the sector struggles nationwide amid the growing strength of e-commerce.

Many stores are rethinking their brick-and-mortar strategies, which means less retail and more restaurants and service uses, said Dave Preston, executive managing director at Colliers International South Florida.

Yet, particularly in the suburbs, grocery stores, health and fitness facilities, entertainment venues and discount retailers are continuing to lease large spaces, he said.

“Our densities are really helping us maintain a strong retail market,” Preston said. “New furniture stores are opening, gyms…. As long as we have the rooftops and the densities, that aren’t going away anytime soon, we feel there is always a place for brick-and-mortar in South Florida.”

Here is The Real Deal’s list of the top retail leases signed in South Florida in 2019:

At Home, Palm Beach Gardens, 126K sf

At Home, a home furnishings and decor superstore, signed a lease for 125,641 square feet at 100 Gander Way in Palm Beach Gardens. The site was formerly a Gander Mountain store.

Life Time Fitness, Palm Beach Gardens, 117K sf

Life Time Fitness agreed to lease 116,862 square feet at 11702 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue in Palm Beach Gardens. The store is part of the redevelopment of Downtown at the Gardens.

Regal Cinemas, Miami, 72K sf

Regal Cinemas renewed its lease for 72,000 square feet at Kendall Village Center, 8595 Southwest 124th Avenue in Miami.

Presidente Supermarket, West Palm Beach, 66K sf

Presidente Supermarket signed a lease for 66,475 square feet at Shoppes at Cresthaven at 2601-2675 South Military Trail in West Palm Beach. The store was formerly a Winn-Dixie, which has emerged from bankruptcy and closed many of its stores.

Burlington, Miami, 55K sf

Burlington signed a lease for 55,000 square feet at Mall of the Americas, 7795 West Flagler Street, in Miami.

Ashley HomeStore, Hialeah, 54K sf

Ashley HomeStore signed a lease for 53,990 square feet at 700 West 49th Street in Hialeah.

Presidente Supermarket, West Palm Beach, 53K sf

Presidente Supermarket signed a lease for 53,291 square feet 4346-4370 Okeechobee Boulevard in West Palm Beach. The store at Cross Country Plaza was formerly a Winn-Dixie.

City Furniture, Miami, 53K sf

City Furniture signed a lease for 53,044 square feet at the Shoppes at Beacon Lakes, at Northwest 117th Place and 14th Street, in Miami.

Publix, West Palm Beach, 53K sf

Publix signed a lease for 52,995 square feet at 4065-4085 North Haverhill Road in West Palm Beach.

Publix, Miramar, 48K sf

Publix signed a lease for 48,387 square feet at Monarch Town Center, at Flamingo Road and Miramar Parkway in Miramar.

SOURCE: TRD analysis of brokerage data, as provided by Colliers International, news clippings and market reports.