In a major shot at online shopping, the official grand reopening of the Westfield Century City mall is set for Tuesday, with officials ready to show off the $1 billion in renovations developed over the last two years.
A majority of the mall’s 200-plus shops and restaurants will be open for business, including many new retailers and a new three-level Nordstrom. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Westfield’s co-CEOs, Peter and Steven Lowy, will be in attendance for the occasion.
Online shopping from giants such as Amazon has taken significant traffic from traditional in-person malls in recent years, and the owners of the giant Century City facility have taken a $1 billion gamble that they can get shoppers to leave their computer screens and visit a real mall.
“With our grand opening celebration, Westfield’s vision for Century City, and our portfolio more broadly, continues to be revealed,” said William Hecht, Westfield’s chief operating officer in the United States.
“With a curation of the very best in fashion, chef-led restaurants and fresh food, health and wellness amenities, art, music, and entertainment all coming together in a setting that celebrates the best of the Southern California lifestyle, Westfield Century City will be like no other place in Los Angeles.”
The redesign includes a new entertainment and events venue, a new fitness club, a remodeled Bloomingdale’s, a relocated and remodeled Macy’s, a permanent Uber Lounge and new outdoor plazas.
The mall at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. has also partnered with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Annenberg Space for Photography and other venues to showcase throughout the mall.
Parking has more than doubled at the mall, and a new feature has been added that allows visitors to reserve their own private space in advance while getting in and out of the parking facility.
VIP elevators are among the perks that have been added for celebrities, and there is also a new Studio Services meant to connect retailers with stylists and costumers in the entertainment industry.
—City News Service