During the "big blow" of August 1992, CUTLER RIDGE MALL was virtually destroyed. I moved to Miami soon after the storm hit and recall a trip to the Keys, whereby we drove past CUTLER RIDGE MALL on Florida's Turnpike. I've never witnessed such massive destruction before or since. Everything was flattened for as far as the eye could see.

Photo from www.photolib.noaa.gov / National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Following its encounter with Hurricane Andrew, the decimated mall was rebuilt, to the tune of 50 million dollars. The 2-level J.C. Penney, the most damaged of the five anchors, was replaced by a 1-level store and the remainder of the 1960's strip center was demolished. The refurbished mall re-opened between March and July of 1994. It now encompassed around 935,800 leasable square feet.