Aventura, one of Miami-Dade County’s newest municipalities, is governed by a manager-commission form of government and home to one of America’s premier shopping destinations, Aventura Mall.
Oxford Development Company opened Oxford Mall in April 1983 with Lord & Taylor, JCPenney, Sears and Macy’s more upscale sister store Bloomingdales as initial anchor stores.
The Development of Aventura
The city boasts an array of architectural landmarks that serve to celebrate its rich history and culture while serving as gathering places for both residents and visitors.
Aventura, Florida is a suburban city on the eastern side of Miami-Dade County located 12 miles north of Miami and south of Fort Lauderdale. Aventura boasts its own municipal government with an elected city manager, council members, police force, as well as representation in Miami-Dade County legislative body and Florida state legislature.
Aventura Mall, its signature shopping center, stands out as an outstanding global attraction in Aventura. Boasting over 280 specialty stores and two-story Equinox fitness club facilities as well as restaurants to accommodate every taste, it remains the epitome of Aventura. Other major draws to Aventura are lush parks, historic tourist spots and proximity to Atlantic shorelines; Aventura real estate options range from waterfront luxury homes and single family residences, all the way down to single family units and modest low rise condos – Aventura offers everything that is possible when it comes to real estate opportunities!
The Aventura Mall
Aventura Mall was the second-largest mall in America at its opening, and the largest in Florida (not including outlets). Comprised of more than 300 retailers, 50 restaurants, and over 20 museum-quality pieces of art – Aventura Mall blends elegance with practicality to form an upscale “megamall.”
The original mall featured four anchor tenants: Lord & Taylor, J.C. Penney, Sears and Macy’s from Cincinnati-based chain JCPenney; this Florida venue of their chain became the first with Spanish architecture – surpassing Miami-Dade County Dadeland Mall as the county’s biggest shopping center by over 1 million square feet!
Donald Soffer of Oxford Development Company broke away to establish Turnberry Associates and Aventura Mall still bears his name today. Soffer started purchasing artworks by Louise Bourgeois, Ugo Rondinone, Julian Opie as well as Robert Indiana’s iconic Love sculpture to add to its collection at Aventura Mall.
The Aventura Police Department
Originating as Turnberry, Aventura saw rapid development during the early 1970s before eventually being incorporated in 1995. Aventura boasts an esteemed police department, which takes great pride in developing strong relationships within their community while working to address any potential issues that may arise.
The department has undertaken various initiatives to foster community engagement, such as providing an interactive website where citizens can submit anonymous tips to the police department and establishing a text messaging system so that residents can contact city government. Furthermore, its officers often attend community events.
City government in Aventura is overseen by an elected council that enacts policy and approves budget for the municipality. Furthermore, Aventura has representation both chambers of Miami-Dade County Legislature and Florida congressional delegation. An ex-Aventura police officer stands accused of unlawfully stopping two men on May 20 in Pompano Beach before brandishing his gun at them during an encounter.
The City of Aventura
Aventura was established as a city in 1995, covering an area of 3.2 square miles along the Intracoastal Waterway in northeastern Miami-Dade County. Its major industries are golf, tennis, hospitality and high-end shopping.
Aventura enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with hot and humid summers and dry winters, beginning its rainy season in May and ending by September. Additionally, Aventura boasts over 10 parks making them one of the premier green spaces in their region.
One of the city’s best-known landmarks, Aventura Mall is an enormous indoor shopping center. Additionally, Aventura hosts various other outdoor malls as well as being home to Turnberry Golf Club – two more prominent landmarks of interest within Aventura.
Aventura features both a public library and Miami-Dade County Public Schools system; one MDCPS high school serves Aventura: the Dr. Michael Krop High School in Ives Estates is popular among North Miami-Dade students. Residents may text their city government for assistance as well as sign up for Aventura Alert emergency notifications to stay up-to-date.
