Lotte Rink, 22, of the Netherlands looks out over the crowd at Santa Monica Place. The mall reopened Friday after a two-year remodel. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Shoppers push toward the escalators. A few thousand people turned out for the reopening events. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Once an enclosed, fortress-like building, Santa Monica Place has been turned into a three-level, open-air structure with views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Mountains. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Mall employees throw beach balls from the top deck as part of the opening-day festivities. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Alicia Espe and daughter Paige, 6, are among the first shoppers allowed up the escalator to the second level. Most of the shopping center’s stores opened for business Friday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Love Culture employees Ailina Pena, left, and Yusby Aguilar wait for customers to arrive. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The mall is anchored by Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom stores. It also has Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Burberry shops. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A dance troupe performs as part of the opening-day celebration. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
