Many South Florida shopping malls are like chrysalises, struggling to shed their retail-only past and emerge as vibrant mixed-use districts. More than a half-dozen shopping centers across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are slated for redevelopments that would add thousands of apartments alongside retail, restaurants, offices, hotels and entertainment.  The projects reflect the region’s demand for housing and owners’ efforts to revive malls that have lost department stores, grappled with declining foot traffic or struggled to fill vacant space.  But that push for growth hasn’t been without challenges, as several redevelopment plans have encountered political opposition, legal battles or […] This article originally appeared on The Real Deal. Click here to read the full story.