The Legacy of Pembroke Lakes Mall

Where Pines Grew Up

Before Pines Boulevard was six lanes wide and new developments dotted the map, there was the mall.

Pembroke Lakes Mall opened its doors in 1992, and for a lot of locals, that’s when the city really started to feel like home.

It wasn’t just where people shopped, it was where they met up, cooled off, and made memories.

From walking clubs to first dates to Santa photos, it’s been part of life in Pembroke Pines for over three decades.

Pembroke Lakes Mall opened in October 1992, built on land that was once part of a dairy farm.

It arrived right as Pembroke Pines was beginning to grow rapidly, and quickly became a key part of the city’s identity.

For many residents, it wasn’t just a place to shop, it was a place to be.

The mall evolved with the times.

Anchor stores came and went, but the layout, the food court, and the steady hum of weekend crowds stayed the same.

Over the years, new additions like a movie theater and entertainment centers kept it relevant, even as shopping habits changed.

What really makes Pembroke Lakes stand out, though, isn’t its square footage, it’s its roots.

It’s where people took their first job, met up with friends after school, or brought their kids to run around in the A/C while they grabbed coffee.

It’s a place that holds decades of everyday moments for the people who call Pembroke Pines home.

Insider Tip:

I’ve watched long time residents describe Pembroke Lakes not just as a mall, but as a fixture of place, the go to spot for first dates in the ’90s, community meet-ups after school, and launching points for holiday memories.

Even with online shopping, its foot traffic remains strong thanks to community programming, movie nights, and the nostalgic draw it still holds.