La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary with a City of Fort Worth Proclamation Day Ceremony
CONTACT:
Miguel Calera
La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth
4200 S Freeway Suite 2500
Fort Worth, TX 76115
(817) 922-8888
Miguel.Calera@GrupoZocalo.com
LA GRAN PLAZA DE FORT WORTH® MALL, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 (Fort Worth, TX) — La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth was given a special recognition by Fort Worth City Mayor Mattie Parker and the rest of the city council in honor of its 20-year anniversary.
The journey begins on Wednesday, December 17th, 1958. On that day, Sears, Roebuck and Company announced ambitious plans for a giant regional shopping center. This visionary project was destined to become the largest shopping center in the Fort Worth-Dallas area and one of the biggest in Texas. The chosen site was the old Katy Lake property, which was to be drained to make way for this monumental development.
Construction began soon after, and by March 14th, 1962, the iconic mall known as Seminary South emerged. This establishment quickly became one of the most important shopping destinations in Texas, featuring a mix of national and regional stores, anchor tenants, and community events.
In 1985, the mall was transformed into Town Center Mall, embracing the new retail era of the 80s. However, as the years passed, the mall faced significant challenges, with occupancy dropping to 10% or less. On April 12th, 2004, Grupo Zocalo acquired the property, breathing new life into it and transforming it into the vibrant landmark we now know as La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth. The changes started right away with the involvement of the visionary Grupo Zocalo and a group of renowned architects, who were instrumental in conceptualizing and crafting the majestic facades and quintessential colonial architecture of La Gran Plaza. This Colonial Mexican architectural look and feel captured the attention of the local community and garnered national news coverage.
Today, La Gran Plaza spans an impressive 80-acre property, offering a vast array of shopping, dining, and entertainment options to delight every visitor. It is more than just a shopping center; it is a community hub that provides business counseling and serves as an incubator for local small businesses.
With 1.1 million square feet of retail space, approximately half is occupied by national retailers, while the rest is dedicated to Fort Worth-based independent businesses. This diverse mix offers shoppers a broad spectrum of choices and experiences. The offices house various City of Fort Worth agencies, a public library, and designated office spaces for the Fort Worth Police Department.
La Gran Plaza boasts an impressive annual visitor count of more than 5.9 million. People travel from as far as 30 miles on weekdays and over 150 miles on weekends to visit us, drawn by our unique stores, fun events, and exceptional services.
La Gran Plaza is a vibrant cultural and economic hub in the heart of Texas. More than just a shopping destination, it’s a community center that connects the dynamic neighborhoods around it and celebrates Fort Worth's rich Hispanic heritage.
The La Gran Plaza boosts the local economy by attracting national retailers and franchises to the South Side. This brings diverse shopping options, increases tax revenues, and creates jobs, improving the quality of life for many families.
La Gran Plaza plays a vital role in revitalizing the South Side, making it a lively and dynamic area. It hosts cultural exhibitions and events that promote community unity and cultural appreciation.
Additionally, it inspires local entrepreneurs by showcasing opportunities for growth and success through strategic investments and community-focused businesses.
In summary, La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth is not just a shopping center but a landmark in the City of Fort Worth. Its profound impact on the area's development, community cohesion, and cultural landscape underscores its invaluable role in the ongoing transformation of the South Side into a prosperous and vibrant community.
This majestic shopping mall is a lively celebration of Fort Worth's Hispanic heritage, offering a sense of connection and belonging to everyone who walks through its doors. From the festive atmosphere to the architectural details, every element is a tribute to the vibrant culture that shapes our community. And for those reasons and many more, we are proclaiming “Día de la Gran Plaza” every April 12th as a date that we celebrate the local community in the beautiful and prosperous city of Fort Worth