New Look for Fashion Center Mall in Glendale

Glendale Fashion Center has almost fully reopened after undergoing a $70-million renovation into an open-air shopping center, according to Jeff Axtell, project director at Phoenix-based Vestar Development Co., which acquired the 35-year-old regional mall in 1997.

The shopping center had suffered massive structural damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Strouds and Barnes & Noble opened last month, with Nordstrom’s off-price retail division, Nordstrom Rack, scheduled to open June 16. Almost all of the center’s restaurants are now open, according to Axtell.

The center at Glendale and California avenues has been opening in phases this year. Among the stores that have already opened are Ralphs supermarket, Longs Drugs, Michaels, Staples, Payless Shoes, Famous Footwear and Ross Dress for Less.

Vestar also rebuilt the damaged parking structure adjacent to the project, with the help of a $6.8-million grant awarded to the city of Glendale by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The parking facility is being leased to Vestar by the city.