The dead-mall era is officially ending in Vero Beach. The vacant Sears and Macy's wings of the Indian River Mall are being torn down and redeveloped into a roughly 250,000-square-foot open-air retail hub.
One Investment Group, with project manager Joseph Scarfone, is behind the project, and they've already landed a confirmed anchor: Sprouts Farmers Market. Plans also include a drive-through restaurant.
Good news for current mall-goers — the existing AMC theater and food court will stay open during construction. Demolition was set to begin within weeks of the March 2026 announcement, pending county permits, with completion projected for 2027–2028.
It's the same playbook we're seeing at Treasure Coast Square up in Stuart: enclosed malls are out, and walkable open-air centers with grocery anchors and restaurants are in. Retailers want it, and so do shoppers.
For Indian River County, it means a tired property gets new life instead of sliding into full vacancy — and Vero finally gets a Sprouts, which locals have been asking for.