Dezerland Park Orlando

Dezerland Park Orlando (formerly known as the Festival Bay and Artegon Marketplace) is an enclosed shopping mall and amusement park located on International Drive in Orlando, Florida, United States. Opened in 2002 as a property of the Belz Factory Outlets, it is owned and managed by Dezer Development. As Festival Bay Marketplace, the complex was 860,000 square feet (80,000 m2) in size with Bass Pro Shops, Boot Barn, Book Warehouse, Gods & Monsters, and Ron Jon Surf Shop as anchor stores. It also comprised several entertainment venues, including a Cinemark movie theater, Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Sky Trail Ropes Course and a Putting Edge glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course. Having failed twice as a shopping mall, the complex reopened in 2020 as Dezerland Park Orlando.

Dezerland Park Orlando
LocationOrlando, Florida
Coordinates28.4685°N 81.447867°W / 28.4685; -81.447867
Address5250 International Drive
Opening date2002 (as Festival Bay Mall)
DeveloperBelz Enterprises
ManagementParagon Outlet Partners LLC
OwnerDezer Development
No. of stores and services65
No. of anchor tenants5
Total retail floor area865,000 square feet (80,361.1 m2)[1]
No. of floors1 (2 in former Vans Skatepark and Bass Pro Shops)

History

The mall was planned and developed by Belz Enterprises. It was originally planned to open in 2000, but the opening was delayed until 2002.[2] Initial plans called for the mall to be 1,100,000 square feet (102,193.3 m2) in size,[3] but it was scaled back to 865,000 square feet (80,361.1 m2).

In 2004, plans were announced for a surfing park, named Ron Jon Surfpark, to be built inside the mall.[4] This project was never opened.

In 2011, after acquiring new owners, plans were announced for the mall to be redeveloped. Aside from the main anchors, most of the mall would receive extensive alterations. The signature lake and tile mosaic signs were later on removed from the mall.[5]

In January 2012, Vans Skatepark, one of the mall's anchors, closed. While one of the most popular attractions at the mall, no reason was given for the closure. It is stated that after two years, the mall is expected to reopen most likely as a newly named, open-air complex with shops, entertainment and maybe even hotels.[6]

Festival Bay was re-opened as Artegon Marketplace on November 20, 2014, branding as the Anti-Mall.[7] Artegon Marketplace closed again in January 2017 for redevelopment, except for Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark,[8] and Boot Barn.[9]

In January 2018, it was announced that Dezer Development of Miami purchased the property for $23.7 million which includes 104 acres and the 865,000 square foot mall. The complex was officially reopened in 2021, featuring as one of its main attractions a collection of automobiles and automotive memorabilia.[10]

References
  1. "GGP Mall Directory". General Growth Properties. Archived from the original on 2008-10-17. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  2. Pack, Todd (2002-08-18). "Mall to Open in Orlando, Fla., in 2002". The Florida Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  3. Pack, Todd (2000-11-27). "The Orlando Sentinel, Fla., Retail Column". The Florida Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  4. Wahid, Zaheera (2004-05-14). "Surf Park May Emerge as Next Wave or Be Waved Off". The Orange County Register. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
  5. "Festival Bay will get major makeover, could return as open-air shopping complex". Orlando Sentinel.
  6. Pedicini, Sandra. "Vans Skatepark, one of Festival Bay Mall's anchors, will close". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  7. "Artegon Marketplace grand opening in Orlando Florida". The Orlando Sentinel. 2014-11-20. Retrieved 2014-11-24.
  8. "Artegon Marketplace is closing for good".
  9. "Boot Barn - Boot Barn Remains Open Amidst Artegon Marketplace Closure". Archived from the original on 2017-03-04. Retrieved 2017-03-03.
  10. "Dezerland Park Orlando planning to open 'in time'". 10 June 2020.
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