After enduring 5 years of commercial competition from DESOTO SQUARE, CORTEZ PLAZA was run-down and virtually vacant. The past-its-prime property was acquired by a Coral Gables-based concern. They initiated a 1.5 million dollar face lift in July 1978. The mall proper and its southern store strip were refurbished with Spanish Colonial-style facades.  

Drawing from First Capital Companies

By the time of a circa-1980 plan, the mall's metamorphosis was complete. No new square footage had been added during the renovation, but Belk-Lindsey did relocate to DESOTO SQUARE. Miami's J. Byron assumed the vacant store space. The outparcel William Tally House, which had been rebranded as the Shillelagh Cafeteria, had been rebranded again. It was now the Windmill Smorgasbord.