Orlando leaders approve new plan for Fashion Square mall

Plan would turn mall into outdoor, mixed-use complex.

ORLANDO, Fla. – A new plan promises new life for Orlando Fashion Square.

On Monday the Orlando City Commission approved a master framework plan to redevelop the nearly 50-year-old mall on East Colonial Drive.

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The new plan transforms Fashion Square into a mixed-use complex.

The plan would replace most of the anchor stores and the middle structure with outdoor commercial space.

There would also eventually be 1,400 apartments, plus a 120-room hotel.

It’s not the first time a developer has considered an overhaul of the beleaguered mall.

However, Orlando Commissioner Robert Stuart told News 6′s Nadeen Yanes last month that the new plan had promise and would create a “Winter Park Village feel.”

“We have seen eight or 10 plans over the last 15 years, so we actually have somebody who (has) a pretty solid plan and have some money behind it,” Stuart said.

The project would redevelop Orlando Fashion Square over several phases.

Stuart told News 6 that final approval of the plan could take up to six months.

Lorraine Kendall said that she’s lived near the struggling Fashion Square Mall for 58 years.

“This is our favorite Macy’s, so I would hate to see it close.”

Thankfully for Kendall, the new plans include keeping her beloved Macy’s location.

“I kind of hate to see things change much because we are older, but we are used to things the way they have been, but there’s progress always going on, so you have to go with the flow,” Kendall said. “That’s progress I guess.”