Times Square — Local services in Fort Lauderdale

Located at one of the busiest intersections in Broward County, N Federal Hwy and East Oakland Park Blvd, you will find this MiMo gem, the Times Square shopping center. MiMo refers to the architecture style Mid-century modern. Started in Germany after WWII, it is a style that was popular from the mid-1930s to mid-1960s. The hallmarks of the design are simplicity and functionality. Expect to see sleek lines, little ornamentation, gentle organic curves, and mixed materials. Mid Century Modern is considered Broward's signature architecture.

The Time Square shopping plaza was designed by architect Charles McKirahan in 1954 and built in 1957. McKirahan was one of the most noted mid-20th-century architects in Fort Lauderdale. He married his architect school girlfriend and together they founded a firm with more than 100 architects which they expanded internationally. McKirahan's architectural studio was located in the shopping center. He is responsible for the stunning A-frame of the the original Mai-Kai. For this plaza his design elements included screen block walls, geometric forms and glazed curtain walls. Sadly he passed away at the young age of 44 in a car accident. His son Charles "Chuck" McKirahan followed in his parents footprints and also became a celebrated architect.

While the Ft. Lauderdale historical society did a great job of preserving the pioneer history of Ft. Lauderdale along the New River, this shopping center did not receive the same treatment from the Historic Preservation Board. It was renovated in 2019. The most prominent building on U.S. 1, a curved building with red brick screen wall, had the defining wall removed and replaced with sliding glass doors.

Today you can still see some of the MiMo design elements McKirahan added but it is looking a little run down. The plaza has a furniture store, Times Square Pizza, and Smarty Pants, a bar to name a few of the businesses. If you are a local you have probably passed this plaza a thousand times without a second glance on your way to the beach. True fans of architecture and history know however that is worth a...

Once upon a time this mom and pop local restaurant was amazing! Famous for NY style pizza that still had their own delivery service. I hate to post ill reviews as a local business owner I understand the repercussions and am aware of the people who post. I can honestly say my last order was beyond edible, all I could taste was the oven which hadn’t been cleaned in years! So every bite which was only 2 made me toss everything out. Starving! Knowing full well I ordered from a basic Italian restaurant I was hoping and expecting that after spending $ 30 bucks on a restaurant that I was very familiar with , kept their go to promise. Sadly to say I expected ok food and got way less. This was absolutely GROSS! The only reason this is being posted is for you to get back to your roots! Somehow the reality if restaurants is to give you sub- par food, complain about prices , charge you double and your food is awful! Figure it out my friends! You’ve clearly lost my vote after 20 yrs! Clean your oven! Know one wants to eat your food when it tastes like a burnt chemical cleaner exploded on your pizza where the cheese doesn’t...

Times Square Pizza is the closest pizza I've eaten in FL that truly reflects what a New York slice is all about. I indulged in their two cheese slices & a drink special ($6.75 out the door), comfortably dining inside the restaurant, where social distancing and mandatory mask wearing is strictly enforced. The atmosphere isn't going to win any awards, but who cares when the pie is this good? Conveniently located across from the Coral Ridge Mall (Oakland Park Boulevard & North Federal Highway) on the SE corner, this place is the real deal. It makes me pine for Rey's Pizza in Manhattan a little less knowing this place is nearby. Times Square Pizza is definitely worth...