Butler Plaza is a large retail complex located in southwest Gainesville, Florida. It is the largest retail power center in Florida and among the largest in the southeast United States. Built on the former site of Stengel Airport, which closed in 1971,[1][2] the shopping center currently consists of four major sections: Plaza, West, North and Butler Town Center.
Butler Plaza
Aerial view of Butler Plaza from the south (before the Butler North construction)
The complex is named for the late Clark Butler, who developed the area along with his daughter, Deborah Butler. It is sometimes nicknamed the "Miracle Mile" and "Restaurant Row" due to the number of restaurants.[3] It is bordered by 34th Street on the east, Interstate 75 on the west, and Archer Road on the south. Anchor stores include Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Sam's Club, and two Publix supermarkets.
In 1970, Clark Butler, president of Butler Enterprises, purchased a landing strip between I-75 and the University of Florida.[4] This land became the site of the beginnings of Butler Plaza and the original 300,000 sq ft complex broke ground in 1971.[4][5] Clark Butler, president of Butler Enterprises, was the developer on the project.[5] Initial tenants included Woolco Department Store, Eckerd Drugs and Publix Markets.[5] The plaza opened for business in 1972.[5] In 1977, the complex was purchased by Canadian investors.[6] In the mid-1980s, Butler's daughter Deborah joined Butler Enterprises.[7] In the 1990s, the shopping center expanded along Archer Road.[3]
In 2007, Butler announced plans to expand the shopping center to the north into 160 acres (0.65 km2) of vacant land, formerly occupied by a trailer park. These plans called for an additional 1,200,000 square feet (110,000 m2) of retail space, 400 hotel rooms, and 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) of office space.[8] In 2008, Butler Plaza was voluntarily annexed into the city of Gainesville.[9][10] In 2008, the Butlers began working on expansion plans for the plaza and the creation of Butler Town Center.[7] Clark Butler died in 2008 and Deborah continued the expansion.[11] In 2013, the City Commission approved both land use and zoning amendments to the existing approved Butler Plaza expansion. The project broke ground in 2014 and Butler North opened in 2016.[12][13] Butler Town Center opened in 2018 with several tenants, includingWhole Foods and P.F. Chang's as well as two apartment developments.[14][15]
Butler Town CenterEdit
Butler Town Center replaced the Butler East complex and consists of open-air retail space, apartments and a 13,000 sq feet chef driven food hall.[14] It is anchored by a Regal Cinemas movie theater.[16]
Butler Plaza is located directly adjacent to Butler Town Center and is anchored by a Best Buy, one of two Publix Grocery Stores in the shopping center, and several other medium-sized retailers.
Butler Plaza in 2008, prior to the closing of Albertsons. The space is now occupied by Publix
Butler Plaza West is the westernmost section of the complex and is separated from Butler Plaza Central by Clark Butler Blvd. (formerly 37th Blvd). This section is anchored by a Target and a second Publix supermarket (formerly an Albertsons until 2008).
Butler North opened in 2016. It is the northernmost section of the complex and is separated from Butler Plaza Central by Windmeadows Boulevard. Butler North's tenants include:
^. Archived from the original on 21 February 2021.
^Swirko, Cindy. "Gainesville grows westward through annexation of shopping centers, new development". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
^"S. Clark Butler Obituary (2008) Gainesville Sun". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
^"Butler Enterprises is formally breaking ground on the new Butler Town Center and Butler North". The Business Report of North Central Florida. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
^Staff Writer. "Business announcements for April 3, 2017". Gainesville Sun. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
External linksEdit
Butler Plaza official site
October 18, 2023
butler, plaza, large, retail, complex, located, southwest, gainesville, florida, largest, retail, power, center, florida, among, largest, southeast, united, states, built, former, site, stengel, airport, which, closed, 1971, shopping, center, currently, consis. Butler Plaza is a large retail complex located in southwest Gainesville Florida It is the largest retail power center in Florida and among the largest in the southeast United States Built on the former site of Stengel Airport which closed in 1971 1 2 the shopping center currently consists of four major sections Plaza West North and Butler Town Center Butler PlazaAerial view of Butler Plaza from the south before the Butler North construction LocationGainesville Florida United StatesCoordinates29 37 21 N 82 22 43 W 29 622461 N 82 378555 W 29 622461 82 378555DeveloperClark and Deborah ButlerManagementButler EnterprisesOwnerButler EnterprisesNo of stores and services gt 100No of anchor tenants7Total retail floor area1 950 000 sq ft 181 000 m2 Websiteshopatbutler wbr comThe complex is named for the late Clark Butler who developed the area along with his daughter Deborah Butler It is sometimes nicknamed the Miracle Mile and Restaurant Row due to the number of restaurants 3 It is bordered by 34th Street on the east Interstate 75 on the west and Archer Road on the south Anchor stores include Lowe s Wal Mart Target Best Buy Sam s Club and two Publix supermarkets Contents 1 History 2 Butler Town Center 3 Butler Plaza 4 Butler Plaza West 5 Butler North 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksHistory EditIn 1970 Clark Butler president of Butler Enterprises purchased a landing strip between I 75 and the University of Florida 4 This land became the site of the beginnings of Butler Plaza and the original 300 000 sq ft complex broke ground in 1971 4 5 Clark Butler president of Butler Enterprises was the developer on the project 5 Initial tenants included Woolco Department Store Eckerd Drugs and Publix Markets 5 The plaza opened for business in 1972 5 In 1977 the complex was purchased by Canadian investors 6 In the mid 1980s Butler s daughter Deborah joined Butler Enterprises 7 In the 1990s the shopping center expanded along Archer Road 3 In 2007 Butler announced plans to expand the shopping center to the north into 160 acres 0 65 km2 of vacant land formerly occupied by a trailer park These plans called for an additional 1 200 000 square feet 110 000 m2 of retail space 400 hotel rooms and 200 000 square feet 19 000 m2 of office space 8 In 2008 Butler Plaza was voluntarily annexed into the city of Gainesville 9 10 In 2008 the Butlers began working on expansion plans for the plaza and the creation of Butler Town Center 7 Clark Butler died in 2008 and Deborah continued the expansion 11 In 2013 the City Commission approved both land use and zoning amendments to the existing approved Butler Plaza expansion The project broke ground in 2014 and Butler North opened in 2016 12 13 Butler Town Center opened in 2018 with several tenants includingWhole Foods and P F Chang s as well as two apartment developments 14 15 Butler Town Center EditButler Town Center replaced the Butler East complex and consists of open air retail space apartments and a 13 000 sq feet chef driven food hall 14 It is anchored by a Regal Cinemas movie theater 16 Tenants include Whole Foods Market PF Chang s China Bistro CVS pharmacy Bonefish GrillButler Plaza EditButler Plaza is located directly adjacent to Butler Town Center and is anchored by a Best Buy one of two Publix Grocery Stores in the shopping center and several other medium sized retailers Other tenants include OfficeMax Michaels PetSmart and Butler Plaza Animal Hospital Ross Dress for Less Trader Joe s Tuesday Morning AT amp T Wireless Outback Steakhouse Jo Ann Fabric amp Crafts McAlister s Deli Chili s Grill amp BarButler Plaza West Edit nbsp Butler Plaza in 2008 prior to the closing of Albertsons The space is now occupied by PublixButler Plaza West is the westernmost section of the complex and is separated from Butler Plaza Central by Clark Butler Blvd formerly 37th Blvd This section is anchored by a Target and a second Publix supermarket formerly an Albertsons until 2008 Other tenants include Old Navy Kirkland s GNC Rack Room Shoes Pollo TropicalButler North EditButler North opened in 2016 It is the northernmost section of the complex and is separated from Butler Plaza Central by Windmeadows Boulevard Butler North s tenants include Lowe s Sam s Club Dick s Sporting Goods Orangetheory Fitness Walmart Ashley HomeStore Five Below Aldi Supermarket Dollar Tree Total Wine amp More Olive Garden Longhorn Steakhouse Culver s Jimmy John s Gourmet Sandwiches Bahama Breeze MarshallsSee also EditThe Oaks MallReferences Edit 1 Abandoned amp Little Known Airfields Florida Southwestern Jacksonville area Swirko Cindy 150 YEARS Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 02 a b Butler s Beef Newspapers com 28 June 1999 Archived from the original on 2021 12 03 Retrieved 2021 12 03 a b BUTLER S BEEF Tampa Bay Times Retrieved 2021 12 02 a b c d Tenants Signing Up For Butler Plaza Newspapers com 27 April 1971 Archived from the original on 2021 12 02 Retrieved 2021 12 02 Butler Plaza bought by Canadians Newspapers com 9 June 1977 Archived from the original on 2021 12 02 Retrieved 2021 12 02 a b Deborah Butler Rooted in Success Business in Greater Gainesville 2013 04 26 Retrieved 2021 12 02 Butler Plaza expansion in the works Archived from the original on 15 June 2011 Butler Plaza annex gets OK Archived from the original on 21 February 2021 Swirko Cindy Gainesville grows westward through annexation of shopping centers new development Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 03 S Clark Butler Obituary 2008 Gainesville Sun Legacy com Retrieved 2021 12 03 Butler Enterprises is formally breaking ground on the new Butler Town Center and Butler North The Business Report of North Central Florida 2014 11 21 Retrieved 2021 12 03 Clark Anthony Growth spurt Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 03 a b Anderson Mickie Luxury apartments coming to Butler Town Center Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 03 Smithson Daniel Village Jeweler Hearth and Heart open Newk s coming soon Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 06 Staff Writer Business announcements for April 3 2017 Gainesville Sun Retrieved 2021 12 06 External links EditButler Plaza official site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Butler Plaza amp oldid 1136451008, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
