Ikea plans second South Florida store

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, August 23, 2012

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA. — Ikea is planning a second South Florida store in Sweetwater, Fla., pending government approval with an opening slated for fall 2014.

The Sweden-based home furnishings giant said it is submitting plans for the proposed 417,000-square-foot Miami-area store, to be located on 14.6 acres west of Miami International Airport at the Dolphin Expressway and Florida Turnpike intersection, adjacent to Dolphin Mall.

The store would be the retailer's second in South Florida and fourth in the state. Construction could begin as early as next spring, the retailer said.

Plans call for the showroom to be built above two levels of parking. The store will feature nearly 10,000 items, 50 room settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children's play area, and a 500-seat restaurant. When completed, it would employ about 400 people.

Ikea also is evaluating solar generation potential for the location "to complement its renewable energy presence (at nearly) 89% of its U.S. locations," it said in a release.

"We are thrilled with the reception afforded Ikea since entering the state nearly five years ago, so we are excited to submit plans for Ikea Miami where we can grow our Florida and southeastern U.S. reach," said Mike Ward, the company's U.S. president.

Ikea has more than 330 stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the United States. The retailer is No. 2 on Furniture/Today's Top 100 with estimated U.S. furniture, bedding and accessories sales of $2.28 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31.