(Flickr pic by Moscoso.)
Three years after causing a stir in Santa Monica by introducing plans to replace the Santa Monica Place mall with high-rise condos and retail, the shopping center's owner will submit new, scaled back plans on Tuesday.
According to the L.A. Times, mall owner Macerich plans to turn the mall into an outdoor center. Such a radical redesign is necessary to revitalize the Santa Monica Place, much of which now sits empty.
The paper writes:
Robert D. Aptaker, vice president of real estate for Macerich, cautioned that the design for the center, which Macerich bought in 1999, was still evolving. But he listed a number of elements that he said were integral to the new concept. In addition to stripping away the roof, the company plans to create public walkways, large gathering places and a third-floor dining deck with ocean views. Other amenities would include a children's play area, a public art installation and a gallery for exhibiting artists' work.
Aptaker said Macerich expected the renovated mall to "be a partner with the Third Street Promenade" but with more distinctive, upscale retailers for a "more mature customer." He said many retailers had expressed enthusiasm about being in Santa Monica, but he said the company had not yet signed any new leases.
Once construction gets underway, Aptaker said, all shops except for Macy's department store would close. The two parking levels, with just under 2,000 spaces, would remain open.
Macerich hopes to start construction in early 2008, and reopen the mall by fall 2009.
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