This fountain was the centerpiece of the open-air Dadeland in the 60's. The sea horse was one of a series of animal statues in the original mall - others were a Llama and a turtle.
Dadeland Shopping Center was built on a 63-acre tract north of North Kendall Drive and just east of the Palmetto Expressway which opened in June 1961. The shopping center was single level and open-air when it opened on October 1, 1962. Joseph Meyerhoff developed the center and it was designed by Herbert Johnson. The center was anchored by a Miami-based Burdines Department Store and other stores in the original center included a Food Fair, a Gray Drugs, a Forum Cafeteria, Crown Liquors, a Barefoot Mailman and 50+ other original tenants.
In 1965 Jordan Marsh opened a 210,000 square foot store on the west end of the mall and J. C. Penney added a 193,000 square foot store to the east end of the mall in 1969. A seven story parking garage was constructed on the north side of Burdines in 1969. I believe the shopping center was enclosed and air-conditioned in the late 60's/early 70's.
The mall received a major renovation in 1983. Saks Fifth Avenue added a 78,600 square foot store and The Limited/Express added a 76,600 square foot store, both in 1984. Lord & Taylor added a 150,000 square foot store in 1986 and a five story parking garage was constructed between the mall and the canal on the north side of the mall.
The Jordan Marsh store closed in 1991 and reopened as a Burdines Home Store in 1993. Burdines became Burdines/Macy's in 2004 and Macy's in 2005, much to the chagrin of those who grew up down here.
Lord & Taylor closed in 2003 and the building was torn down to construct a new 150,000 square foot Nordstrom store in 2005.
Dadeland Mall now has 1,667,500 square feet of leasable space and over 185 stores and services.