Work Starts on New Development as Westminster Mall Demolition Kicks Off
Plans Unveiled for Westminster Mall Redevelopment
The Westminster Mall is undergoing a significant transformation as its new owners, Shopoff Realty, initiated demolition of one of the primary entrances on Wednesday. This marks the beginning of a more than 80-acre mixed-use development intended to revitalize the site.
Local coverage has highlighted the mall’s decline in recent months, detailing rampant vandalism, broken windows, graffiti, and even reports of individuals living within the abandoned structure.
The fall of the front entrance symbolizes the end of an era for the once-popular shopping destination, which opened its doors in 1974. "As far as I could remember, Westminster Mall has been part of my childhood," said Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon. "It was a place we could belong. That sentiment has traveled down into my adulthood."
Shopoff Realty envisions a vibrant community featuring thousands of homes, shops, restaurants, a hotel, as well as open green spaces and walking trails. "Today is kind of the culmination, but really the beginning at the same time," remarked Bill Shopoff, president and CEO of Shopoff Investments. "By early next year, we will deliver basically the part of the land where we are sitting on today, which will become about 855 new homes. We’ve got 1,450 apartments."
Experts note that the decline of malls like Westminster reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences. Jan Brueckner, an economics professor at the University of California, Irvine, explained that while iconic malls like South Coast Plaza in Orange County might retain their allure, less successful malls face formidable challenges from e-commerce. "Weaker malls can be undercut by online shopping, and that may be the difference between life and death," he stated.
Shopoff Realty believes that the traditional enclosed mall model is no longer suitable for California. "We don’t need an enclosed mall here in California," Shopoff said, referencing the region’s favorable weather.
The development project includes a commitment to affordable housing, with 10% of the new homes allocated for low-income residents. Estimated at $2.5 billion, the redevelopment is projected to reach completion within the next five years.
