Westminster Mall’s Journey to Revitalization
New Owner Plans Transformation of Westminster Mall into Mixed-Use Community
The new owner of Westminster Mall has announced plans to revitalize the 14-acre retail center, following a series of troubling incidents that highlighted the mall’s decline. Bill Shopoff, president and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments, disclosed that he intends to convert the space into a mixed-use community as efforts to clean up the property begin.
Since the mall’s closure last October, nearly 90 arrests have been made for graffiti and vandalism, with reports suggesting some individuals may have even taken shelter inside the abandoned facility. The dismal conditions at the mall, which received national and international attention, prompted urgency in addressing the state of the property.
“We did not own the balance of the mall at the time. We were working with the other group to try and secure the building as quickly as we could,” Shopoff explained, acknowledging the criminal activity that has plagued the site. He described the mall’s current state as one of significant disrepair, stating, “The place got completely thrashed as you can see – broken glass, general vandalism, so now we’re cleaning that up.”
Shopoff recognized the challenges the mall posed, noting its prior status as a "failing mall." He emphasized the need for a new approach, saying, “I think the pattern of shopping is different. Retail is definitely not gone, but this type of retail is very expensive to operate.”
Rather than restoring a conventional shopping mall, Shopoff envisions a "vibrant new community" featuring 2,200 residential units and 200,000 square feet of retail space, with a target completion date of April or May 2026.
In a recent statement, Westminster police indicated they had responded to the mall approximately 250 times in recent months, resulting in numerous arrests for trespassing and vandalism. As the new ownership takes over, a renewed focus on safety and community engagement appears poised to reshape the future of the Westminster property.
