Westfield Century City

Westfield Century City
Name	Westfield Century City
Caption	Westfield Century City entrance
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Coordinates	34.0586°N 118.4160°W
Opening date	1964 (major redevelopment 2017–2018)
Developer	William Zeckendorf Sr.; later renovations by the Ratkovich Company, Westfield Corporation, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Manager	Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Owner	Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Floors	3–5 (varies by wing)
Number of stores	200+
Anchors	AMC Theatres, Nordstrom, Macy's, Eataly (flagship mall locations)

Westfield Century City is a major shopping mall and mixed-use complex located in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Developed originally in the 1960s on land formerly associated with 20th Century Fox, the property has undergone multiple redevelopments to become a high-profile retail, dining, and entertainment destination. The complex sits adjacent to major business districts, film studios, and residential developments, drawing regional and international visitors.

History

Century City emerged from land tied to 20th Century Fox studio holdings, with initial master planning influenced by developer William Zeckendorf Sr. and the architectural milieu of postwar California. The mall opened in 1964 amid suburbanization trends and the expansion of Los Angeles metropolitan infrastructure, competing with contemporaneous projects such as South Coast Plaza, Beverly Center, and The Grove (Los Angeles). Over decades, ownership and operational control passed through entities including TrizecHahn, Ratkovich Company, Westfield Group, and later Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. Major renovations in 2006 and a transformative 2017–2018 redevelopment involved architects and firms with portfolios spanning projects like Hudson Yards, The Shops at Crystals, and Brookfield Place (New York City). The site’s evolution parallels Los Angeles developments including Century Plaza Hotel redevelopment debates, zoning approvals from Los Angeles City Council, and transit proposals linked to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority planning. Land use controversies engaged stakeholders such as UCLA, local neighborhood councils, and preservation advocates referencing precedents like the demolition debates around Rialto Theatre (Los Angeles) and adaptive reuse projects like Bradbury Building.

Architecture and Design

The mall’s contemporary design integrates elements from firms experienced on projects like Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gensler, and boutique studios that worked on The Parisian (Las Vegas) and Westfield London. Architectural features include open-air promenades, glass-enclosed atria, and public plazas inspired by developments such as Santa Monica Place and Third Street Promenade. Landscaping references regional examples like Descanso Gardens and Griffith Park planning principles for native planting, while interior finishes echo luxury retail centers such as Rodeo Drive boutiques and Ala Moana Center renovations. Structural engineering and sustainability measures align with criteria similar to LEED certification sought by institutions including US Green Building Council projects and corporate campuses like Apple Park. The project incorporated facade treatments and public art commissions reminiscent of collaborations seen at Getty Center expansions and Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) initiatives.

Retail and Tenants

The tenant mix combines legacy department stores and flagship boutiques comparable to tenants at Macy's Herald Square, Nordstrom (chain), and Bloomingdale's. Luxury brands present mirror stores on Rodeo Drive and Oxford Street, attracting labels such as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Prada, Saint Laurent, and contemporary designers akin to Alexander Wang and Off-White. Dining concepts include experiential marketplaces inspired by Eataly, flagship restaurants by chefs associated with Nobu, Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, and gastropub formats referencing The Ivy (restaurant). Specialty tech and lifestyle retailers at the center resemble footprints from Apple Inc., Tesla, Inc., Microsoft Store, and Lululemon Athletica. Pop-up activations and seasonal vendors follow models used at Bryant Park, Union Square (San Francisco), and major shopping festivals like Black Friday and Fashion Week (New York Fashion Week) tie-ins.

Entertainment and Amenities

Entertainment anchors include a large AMC Theatres multiplex and boutique cinema programming reminiscent of Arclight Cinemas and repertory series at American Cinematheque. The complex hosts events similar to festivals at LA Fashion Week, film premieres tied to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences cycles, and public programming partnered with institutions like Los Angeles Philharmonic outreach and LA County Museum of Art satellite exhibitions. Wellness amenities mirror offerings at Equinox Fitness Clubs and spa concepts akin to Soho House facilities. Parking solutions and valet operations follow logistics used at Los Angeles International Airport terminals and large venues such as Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena). Seasonal attractions have included holiday installations comparable to those at Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting and outdoor screening series similar to Cinespia events at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Transportation and Access

The complex is served by surface arterial connections to Interstate 405 (California), Santa Monica Freeway, and regional corridors linking to Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Los Angeles. Public transit access includes bus routes operated by Los Angeles Metro Bus and shuttle connections analogous to services by Big Blue Bus (Santa Monica). Planning discussions have referenced extensions of the Los Angeles County Metro Rail network and bus rapid transit proposals comparable to Metro G Line conversions. Bicycle infrastructure and micromobility reflect initiatives from Los Angeles Department of Transportation and docking systems similar to Metro Bike Share. Ride-hailing staging and curb management have evolved with policies paralleling those at LAX and central business districts like Century City (Los Angeles) urban core planning.

Economic Impact and Development

As a regional retail hub, the property influences commercial real estate metrics analyzed by firms like CBRE Group, JLL, and Cushman & Wakefield. Its redevelopment increased assessed values affecting entities such as the Los Angeles County Assessor and spurred office and residential projects nearby by developers similar to Hines, Related Companies, and Trammell Crow Company. Employment impacts align with labor studies from UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and reports prepared for agencies like Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation. The center’s tax contributions intersect with municipal budgeting overseen by City of Los Angeles Office of Finance and regional planning by Southern California Association of Governments. Competitive dynamics relate to shopping centers including Westfield Century City (competitor)-adjacent markets, outlet centers such as Desert Hills Premium Outlets, and lifestyle centers like The Americana at Brand.

Incidents and Safety Measures

Security operations partner with private firms and liaise with law enforcement bodies such as the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for major incidents and crowd control. Emergency preparedness mirrors coordination seen with Los Angeles Fire Department protocols and emergency response planning influenced by events at venues like Dodger Stadium and Staples Center mass gatherings. Health and safety measures implemented recently follow public health guidance from California Department of Public Health during epidemic responses, and building safety retrofits reference standards enforced by California Office of the State Fire Marshal and seismic guidelines similar to retrofits at UCLA Royce Hall. Notable past incidents have prompted reviews of surveillance, access control, and tenant policies comparable to adjustments made at Westfield Century City (Mall) peer properties nationwide.

Category:Shopping malls in Los Angeles County, California