Costco Coming to Seminole Towne Center: What’s Happening at Sanford’s $700 Million Mall Redevelopment
Seminole Towne Center in Sanford is entering a new phase, with demolition of the old Macy’s building expected to begin this month ahead of a $700 million mixed-use redevelopment anchored by a new Costco. After sitting largely vacant for the better part of two years, city officials are calling this the largest commercial redevelopment in Seminole County’s history.
What Is Being Built at the Old Macy’s Site?
A new Costco warehouse, expected to be one of the largest in Central Florida at more than 156,000 square feet, is replacing the former Macy’s building at Seminole Towne Center. The Ardent Companies, an Atlanta-based firm that purchased the 76-acre property for about $17.5 million, plans to build the new store with a gas station, tire center, and nearly 850 parking spaces. Demolition is on track to begin this month, with Costco expected to open in 2027. The mall’s remaining anchor stores — Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dillard’s, and Elev8 Fun — are expected to stay open throughout construction. Just next door, the Diadem Pickleball Complex is also under construction, adding another active piece to this fast-changing corner of Sanford.
What Else Is Planned Beyond Costco?
Costco is just the first piece of a much larger plan that includes roughly 300 apartments and new retail space across the 76-acre property. City officials say the full scope of the redevelopment carries an estimated $700 million price tag, making it the largest commercial redevelopment in Seminole County’s history. Ardent’s development team has said more retailers and restaurants have already signed deals for the site, though names haven’t been made public yet. The project is expected to move forward in phases, starting at the southern end of the property near Costco and working north.
When Is the Next Public Hearing?
A Planning and Zoning Commission meeting to review the project’s sign program, originally expected this week, has been rescheduled to August 6, 2026. That hasn’t slowed the overall timeline — demolition of the old Macy’s building remains on track to begin this month, regardless of the hearing date. I’ll update this post once that meeting takes place and any new details come out of it.
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