IKEA to build first store in Miami-Dade

MIAMI (WSVN) -- The Swedish home retailer IKEA has announced it will be building its first location in Sweetwater.

The project is expected to break ground within the next two months and the new location is expected to open in the summer of 2014. This would be the first IKEA location in Miami-Dade. The 417,000 square-foot store will have 1,500 parking spots and will be located next to Dolphin Mall and west of Miami International Airport.

Plans for the new store will reflect the unique architectural design that IKEA stores are known for worldwide.

IKEA also plans to evaluate solar generation potential for this store to complement the presence of renewable energy already present at nearly 90 percent of its current U.S. locations.

IKEA U.S. President Mike Ward said, "We are excited that plans are on track to open IKEA Miami in Summer 2014 as our second South Florida store." He added, "This store will provide a more conveniently located IKEA shopping experience for current and potential Miami-Dade customers, and will help strengthen the IKEA presence in Florida established by stores already in Sunrise, Orlando and Tampa."

The new location is expected to hire about 350 employees.

This would be the first IKEA location in Miami-Dade and the second in South Florida.

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