Nordstrom to anchor new Santa Monica Place mall
Santa Monica Place, the two-block mall getting a makeover at the center of downtown Santa Monica, announced its first major new tenant Tuesday with word that Nordstrom Inc. is coming in 2010.
The Seattle-based retailer has agreed to join Macy’s as the anchor tenants. The mall in the city’s business district is undergoing a major renovation to convert it from a traditional enclosed shopping center to an outdoor venue linking to the Third Street Promenade.
Nordstrom will take over space at Broadway and 2nd Street that was formerly occupied by Robinsons-May, a department store chain that was acquired by Macy’s parent company in 2005.
The new store will be the eighth in Los Angeles County for Nordstrom and about four miles away from another Nordstrom at the Westside Pavilion in West Los Angeles.
The fairly short distance between stores does not alarm Nordstrom management, said spokesman Michael Boyd, who described the planned Santa Monica store as “a typical Nordstrom.”
“There are a number of large markets where we have stores in close proximity,” Boyd said. “We think Santa Monica Place as redeveloped will be an outstanding center and we will earn more business.”
Santa Monica Place -- with the exception of Macy’s -- closed in January for a $155-million makeover by owner Macerich Co., which also owns Westside Pavilion.
The mall completed in 1980 was considered dated in recent years, even though it was designed by prominent architect Frank Gehry. Critics decried it as an inwardly focused suburban-style mall in the middle of a vibrant outdoor urban district.
After a proposed mixed-use development for the site that would have included high-rise condominiums failed to gain public support, Macerich scaled back its plans and gained approval to take the top off the sprawling common areas and open the mall to the elements.
“The roof is gone now,” said Randy Brant, an executive vice president at Macerich who is overseeing development.
Although Nordstrom won’t open until at least late summer 2010, the rest of the renovated mall should be open by November 2009. There will be 80 to 90 stores including at least seven sit-down restaurants, Brant said. More new tenants will be announced in about a month.
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