When it opened in 1965, Bal Harbour Shops looked unlike any other shopping center. The family-owned Bal Harbour Shops was the first all-luxury fashion center in America featuring high-end retailers in a tropical, open-air setting. What was once considered a bold experiment is now a globally admired model that continues to influence retail environments around the world. See how and where the story began, and revisit some of the Shops’ most celebrated milestones over the last 60 years and counting.
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Want to know more about the origin story of Bal Harbour Shops and its fearless founder? Preorder the 60th Anniversary Limited Edition “Theater of Shopping: The Story of Stanley Whitman’s Bal Harbour Shops” (Rizzoli) with a special artist-edition cover by Tug Rice. The 270-page book is a turn-of-the-century tale of the well-to-do Whitman family, who pioneered the swamps that became known as America’s Riviera, and how Stanley Whitman carried on that legacy, developing one of the world’s most celebrated shopping destinations—by breaking every rule in the book. A visual journey spanning a century, “Theater of Shopping” will delight history buffs and Bal Harbour devotees alike. Available Winter 2025; pre-order now.
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Directed by Andres Oyuela, “An Affair to Remember” stars Karolina Kurkova and Arthur Kulkov as a couple caught in a sultry tale of mistaken identity, with a twist.
With this campaign, we wanted to emphasize the emotional connection our guests have with Bal Harbour Shops. There is something romantic about our picturesque tropical enclave of luxury that has wooed generations of shoppers for 60 years. There’s an affinity for the Shops that goes far beyond the cache of coveted luxury boutiques and buzzing restaurants. It’s a destination because of that connection, and we’ve come out and said it: it’s truly a love affair.
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A love story. A legacy. An affair to remember.
Coming soon, 09.04.25 | 10:30am EST
For early access, click the link in bio.
What’s in the envelope? Who sent it? All will be revealed in time.
Looking forward to our next encounter.
Love, B.
P.S. Click the link in bio
It’s not trendy; it’s timeless. It’s not of the moment; it’s enduring. Sixty years ago, Bal Harbour Shops debuted an entirely new retail concept—a destination.
It’s our diamond anniversary, and you better believe we’re going to shine bright. Stay tuned as we prepare to celebrate six decades of being unapologetically BHS.
All eyes on Bal Harbour, the little seaside town that proved high fashion could thrive outside of Paris and New York. From the very beginning, founder Stanley Whitman did what no one else would dare to. At a time when open-air luxury retail was unheard of, Bal Harbour Shops set a new standard—combining visionary design, high fashion, and a destination-driven experience. The Shops is a tropical oasis of luxury retail set amongst the palms, where ponds are animated with beloved koi and turtles. Imagine forfeiting revenue-generating square-footage in the name of the client experience? Whitman placed the client first, and that remains his legacy.
By the 1980s, Bal Harbour Shops had become the highest-grossing retail center in the world, proving that high fashion could thrive outside New York and Paris. It redefined the luxury shopping experience, setting the blueprint for future retail destinations and remaining the ultimate symbol of aspirational elegance.
Over the decades, the Shops touted many firsts: the first Neiman Marcus store outside of Texas (1971), the first to house Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus under one roof (1976); when Gucci opened (1977) Bal Harbour Shops was its first “mall” location; and many more boundary-breaking moments.
But, perhaps the feather in the cap moment was in 1984 when, just two weeks after being presented at the Paris collections, 16 leading couture and ready to wear designers—including Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Dior, Guy Laroche, Courrèges, and Kenzo—presented a fashion show at the inaugural Gala Bal Harbour. This was the first time ever that the collections were shown in the US ahead of being shown in New York. “Move Over New York: Couturiers from France Like Bal Harbour” declared the Wall Street Journal, while another headline declared “Bal Harbour Shops had pulled off one of the biggest coups of the year.”
For more on the history of Bal Harbour Shops click the link in bio.
