Plans Unveiled for New 31-Store Shopping Mall in Mérida
Another shopping mall in Mérida is in the works. It is moving closer to reality in northern Mérida, as developers seek environmental approval for the latest addition to the city’s expanding retail landscape.
The 31-store mall would sit on Calle 17 between Avenida Correa Rachó and Calle 6-A in the Gustavo Díaz Ordaz neighborhood, directly across from the established Plaza Fiesta, anchored by Coppel. Other neighborhood shopping centers include the Uptown Mérida mall, with its Walmart Express and Cinemex, to the northeast. No specific retailers have been mentioned for the new mall, but it may be more upscale. Its location puts it in the heart of Mérida’s northern commercial district, near the busy Cetram Norte transportation hub.
Residents have little time left to weigh in on the project through a public consultation process that ends Tuesday, September 23. The environmental review represents the final major hurdle before construction permits could move forward.
Mall Details and Timeline
According to documents from Yucatán’s Sustainable Development Ministry, the shopping center will occupy 8,879 square meters (95,645 square feet). The development includes 29 small stores, one medium-sized anchor tenant, and one large anchor store.
About 12% of the space will be dedicated to green areas, with the remainder housing retail space, parking for 956 vehicles, and pedestrian walkways. The project’s backers envision a neighborhood shopping destination that serves the area’s growing population.
Property records show the L-shaped lot has changed hands twice in recent years. It sold for 59.5 million pesos ($3.3 million) in 2023, then was acquired by Banco Ve por Más for 18.2 million pesos ($1 million) in 2024 as part of a real estate development trust.
If approved, construction could begin within months.
Mérida’s Growing Mall Scene
The new project reflects Mérida’s broader retail expansion. The Yucatecan capital already hosts several major shopping destinations that have opened in recent years to serve the city’s growing population and influx of new residents.
La Isla Mérida opened in 2018 as the largest mall in Mexico’s southeast, featuring 180 stores around an artificial lake and entertainment complex. Galerías Mérida, which opened in 2013, offers over 150 stores and the city’s only ice skating rink.
The Harbor at Vía Montejo represents one of the most upscale additions, opening in 2019 with Gran Chapur as its anchor store. The $72.6 million development features cenote-inspired architecture with lakes and fountains designed by Boston-based Elkus Manfredi Architects.
These newer malls join established shopping centers like Plaza Altabrisa and Gran Plaza, creating a competitive retail environment that serves different neighborhoods and demographics across the metropolitan area.
Market Dynamics
Mérida’s retail growth comes amid the city’s broader appeal to both domestic and international residents. The metropolitan area welcomes over 9,000 new households annually, including around 4,000 expatriates attracted to the community-focused lifestyle.
Retail sales in Mexico grew by 7.1% in 2024, with Mexican consumers showing a preference for physical stores over online shopping, especially for clothing and cosmetics. This trend supports continued brick-and-mortar expansion in growing cities like Mérida.
The proposed Gustavo Díaz Ordaz mall would serve a strategic location near transportation links and existing commercial development, potentially drawing customers from across the northern metropolitan area.
Real Estate Speculation
Meanwhile, property speculation continues around other parts of the city. Land agents near the upscale Vía Montejo district have been pitching commercial properties with unverified claims that El Palacio de Hierro—Mexico’s most prestigious department store—might be coming to the area.
The rumors have circulated since 2022, when industry sources suggested the luxury retailer might anchor a new development near The Harbor mall. While a company executive mentioned Mérida as being “in their sights” for expansion, El Palacio de Hierro has made no official announcements.
The department store, comparable to Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman, carries exclusive lines from Gucci, Prada, Chanel, and Hermès. Its closest location is in Cancún, over four hours away.
Such speculation reflects Mérida’s growing reputation as a destination for affluent shoppers, though industry observers caution against believing unsubstantiated development rumors.
Public Input Opportunity
For the confirmed Gustavo Díaz Ordaz project, residents wanting to participate in the consultation must visit the Sustainable Development Ministry office through September 23. They can review the environmental impact assessment and propose additional mitigation measures.
The same consultation process covers a separate materials extraction project in Cuncunul, about 147 kilometers (91 miles) east of Mérida.
If environmental approval is granted, the new shopping center could begin construction early next year, adding to what retail observers call one of Mexico’s most dynamic markets outside major metropolitan areas.
Where and When to Go
Public consultation for new shopping mall:
- Where: Sustainable Development Ministry, Calle 64 between 47-A and 53, Mérida Centro
- When: Through Tuesday, September 23, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
- What to request: Environmental Impact Assessment, case file 094/2025
- Purpose: Review environmental plans, suggest additional measures
- Cost: Free
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