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Westminster Mall (California)

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Westminster Mall
Westminster Mall logo
Main entrance (April 2022)
Map
LocationWestminster, California, U.S.
Coordinates33°44′50″N 118°00′44″W / 33.74727°N 118.01232°W / 33.74727; -118.01232
Address1025 Westminster Mall
OpenedAugust 7, 1974; 52 years ago (August 7, 1974)
RenovatedApril–November 2008
ClosedOctober 29, 2025; 11 months ago (October 29, 2025)
DemolishedApril 15, 2026 (ongoing)
DeveloperHomart Development Company
OwnerShopoff Realty Investments
ArchitectArchitectonics, Inc. and C.H. Leavell Company
Stores168 (at peak)
4 (1 open, 3 vacant)
Floor area1,195,000 square feet (111,000 m2)
Floors2
Websitewestminstermall.com at the Wayback Machine (archived October 29, 2025)
Building details
Boarded rear entrance (December 2025)
General information
Construction started
1972
Completed
1974
Design and construction
Main contractorC.H. Leavell & Co.
Renovating team
Renovating firmSimon Property Group

Westminster Mall was a super-regional shopping mall in Westminster, California, United States, part of Orange County. Opened in August 1974, the mall's only anchor store as of November 2025 is Target, while three vacant spaces previously occupied Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney. The mall itself closed permanently in October 2025, and its remaining 168 inline stores were evicted.

Westminster Mall was situated on the corner of Goldenwest Street and Bolsa Avenue in Westminster, California. The property is owned by Shopoff Realty Investments with plans to redevelop the site, and the mall was formerly managed by Washington Prime Group. After the mall's closure, it immediately suffered vandalism, making it popular for dead mall urbex before it was ultimately boarded up with plywood in January 2026. As of April 2026, the mall had begun demolition to allow for construction on the mixed-use complex that will replace the shopping center.

History

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Background

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In the 1920s,[1] the Akiyama family established a major 40-acre (16 ha) goldfish farm north of Bolsa Avenue and west of Golden West Street in Westminster, California, famously loading up old pickup trucks with barrels of goldfish and koi to sell them throughout Los Angeles.[2] The farm held the title of being the largest in the world locally.[1]

After the booming success of the farm inspired other Nisei families to set up ponds in the area, Westminster earned the official postmark slogan "Goldfish Capital of the World" throughout the 1950s and 1960s. However, by the late 1960s, the completion of the San Diego Freeway (I-405) dramatically increased land value and property taxes in the area. Rising economic pressures and real estate speculation caused local goldfish farming operations to phase out.

1972–1982: Development, opening, and ownership change

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Original logo from 1974

The City of Westminster acquired the property for commercial redevelopment in the early 1970s.[2] In 1972, the Homart Development Company—the real estate development arm of Sears, Roebuck and Co.—announced that a super-regional shopping mall would be built on the former site of the goldfish farm. News outlets at the time marketed the project as a "Sears-built shopping center", and the mall was planned to span nearly 100 acres (40 ha) with 1.2 to 1.3 million square feet (110,000 to 120,000 m2) of retail space, instantly making it the largest enclosed shopping destination in Orange County. The structure was designed by Architectonics, Inc. of Dallas and Chicago, with each department store hiring its own architect. C.H. Leavell & Co. of El Paso was the general contractor, with construction of the mall beginning that year.[3][4]

Westminster Mall opened to the public at 9:30 a.m. PDT on August 7, 1974,[5] with May Company, Sears itself, and Buffum's. Sears had 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) with two floors, and was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM).[3] Ladd & Kelsey were the architects for the 150,000 sq ft (14,000 m2), two-story May Company store, which boasted a restaurant and cocktail lounge, while the 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2), two-story Buffum's was designed by Killingsworth, Bradley & Associates. The mall itself featured a pyramid-style court with three floors that had carpeting, sunken lounge conservation pits, and plants throughout. The parking lot had space for 6,600 cars, which was packed during the opening day.[6] J. W. Robinson's was added in April 1975 as the mall's fourth anchor store.[7] In 1982, Homart sold Westminster Mall to Corporate Property Investors (CPI).[8]

1991–2007: Anchor changes

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Buffum's closed in May 1991[9] due to the chain being liquidated. By January 1993, Robinson's and May Department Stores merged to form Robinsons-May, with each store carrying the name by February.[10] As a result, the May Company store was rebranded Robinsons-May, and the J. W. Robinson's closed as one of the 12 Robinson's and May Company stores closing as part of the merger to avoid cannibalization. The former Buffum's was converted into a Robinson's-May Home Store in March 1993, but it closed in November of that year. The former Robinson's was replaced by JCPenney, which had relocated from Huntington Center that month.[11] On February 19, 1998, Simon DeBartolo Group Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, which later reverted its name to Simon Property Group, acquired CPI for approximately $5.8 billion after outbidding the Rouse Company, thus assuming ownership and management of Westminster Mall.[12][13]

In 2002, the former Robinsons-May Home Store building was torn down to build a new Macy's. When Federated Department Stores purchased Robinsons-May and other May Co. brands in September 2006, Macy's moved into the former Robinsons-May building, while the original Macy's location within the mall would be taken over by Target on July 29, 2007.[14][15]

2008–2025: Decline and closure

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Renovated entrance (November 2009)

On March 12, 2008, Simon announced that the mall would undergo a $10 million renovation to modernize the property to attract upscale tenants. This included carpeting most of the first floor to reduce noise, replacing older animal-statue children's seating areas with standard leather chairs, wood coffee tables, area rugs, and live plants near department store entrances, constructing a new family restroom and lounge area, building a new kids' play zone and relocating the carousel closer to Sears[16] while the play area was moved near JCPenney, remodeling the mall's entrances and re-landscaping the parking lot.[17] The mall closed temporarily to allow for construction and would reopen on November 15 of that year, with the debut of Old Navy.[18]

However, the renovation failed to revitalize Westminster Mall, as it coincided with the Great Recession, and the Orange County Register noted that while the mall was in second place in taxable sales behind South Coast Plaza, it violently dropped to eighth place in 2011, when they declined by 2.4% in 2010, followed by 1.6% the following year. Its competitors increased by 5.4% in 2010 and 6.5% in 2011 in comparison, as explained by the International Council of Shopping Centers. As of late December 2011, Westminster Mall became Simon's most underperforming property out of five other Orange County malls also owned by them, with occupancy sliding from 92.3% at the end of 2002 to 85.3% in late 2011. The decline was also because the mall failed to adapt while its competitors did; in 1986, South Coast Plaza added the Crystal Court, Santa Ana Fashion Square undergone a $160 million renovation the following year, and Simon has largely been focused and invested on The Outlets at Orange, Laguna Hills Mall, Brea Mall, and The Shops at Mission Viejo. By August 30, 2012, the mall added Pink, The Limited, CUPS Frozen Yogurt, Cotton On, and TGI Fridays.[8]

On May 28, 2014, Simon Property Group spun-off 98 strip malls and underperforming properties to a newly-formed, Columbus, Ohio-based REIT called Washington Prime Group Inc. (WPG), which included Westminster Mall. WPG secured its loan from JPMorgan Chase that year, when the property's value was at $171 million.[19] By November 3, 2015, the Todai Seafood and Sushi Buffet closed, being replaced by Luxe Buffet.[20] That year, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at Westminster Mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.[21] On May 12, 2016, a 31,682-square-foot (2,943.4 m2) Sky Zone Trampoline Park opened in the mall's former Old Navy.[22]

Gymboree and Crazy 8 would both close on August 12, 2017, as part of a plan by the Gymboree Group to close 300 underperforming stores (including 24 in California) nationwide after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June of that year.[23] On January 4, 2018, it was announced that Sears would be closing as part of a plan to close 103 stores nationwide after Sears also filed for Chapter 11. The Westminster Mall location would close in April 2018, making it the last original anchor to vacate.[24] That year, John's Incredible Pizza Company announced that they would open a 41,000 sq ft (3,800 m2) family entertainment center at the mall, creating 150 local jobs and space to support 1,000 people.[25]

Final years

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Empty corridor (September 2025)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Westminster Mall saw a dramatic decline in sales, due to many of its businesses laying off employees, and their closures. In addition to the financial struggles at the mall, the rise in online shopping also took a toll on the mall's revenue. In April 2020, the empty parking lots were repurposed for COVID-19 and antibody testing clinics operated by Elevated Health, drawing hundreds of vehicles daily with wait times stretching up to six hours.[26] In late September of that year, the mall partnered with the City of Westminster, the police department, and Saddleback Church to act as an emergency food depot. Volunteers transformed the parking lot into a drive-thru assembly line, supplying a week's worth of groceries to nearly 600 local families affected by pandemic unemployment.[27] In November, WPG reached an initial agreement to sell about 43 acres (17 ha) of the property to homebuilder Taylor Morrison for $160 million. WPG originally intended to hold onto 11 acres (4.5 ha) of the retail space.[19][28]

The pandemic caused Washington Prime's nationwide corporate retail income plummet by roughly $127 million compared to 2019 levels, causing them to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2021.[29] In December 2022, the City of Westminster approved a redevelopment plan by adopting the Westminster Mall Specific Plan under Ordinance No. 2592, which called for 3,000 residential units, at least 600,000 square feet (56,000 m2) of commercial, retail, and medical space, and 9.5 acres (3.8 ha) designated for parks and open public spaces.[30] As of April 2023, Spencer Gifts was the last long-term tenant remaining from the opening era of the mall in their original location on the upper level. They temporarily moved downstairs during the pandemic.[31][32]

In September 2024, after an $85 million loan on the property fell into special servicing earlier that year, financial analytics reports revealed that WPG had quietly entered a 45-to-60 day window to finalize a transaction with a "mystery buyer". However, that specific deal ultimately failed to close.[33]

Target store located at Westminster Mall, California, pictured in late November 2025.
Target, pictured in November 2025, is the last remaining store at the now-demolished mall. Since then, it has operated as a standalone business.

On January 9, 2025, it was announced that Macy's would be closing as part of a plan to close 66 stores nationwide.[34] In April 2025, WPG put its remaining 57.5-acre (23.3 ha) stake in Westminster Mall on sale as part of the company's liquidation efforts after its bankruptcy.[19] On August 20 of that year, it was announced that JCPenney would be closing in November,[35] leaving Target as the mall's last remaining anchor.[36]

On October 21, 2025, Westminster City Manager Christine Cordon confirmed to local news outlets that the remaining 168 inline tenants had to vacate by October 29 due to expiring leases. The community responded by performing a Goodbye to Westminster Mall karaoke party by that day, one of which performing Part of Your World from Disney's 1989 film The Little Mermaid.[37][38][39] On October 29, the mall itself officially closed its doors permanently after the leases of its remaining 168 tenants expired.[40] JCPenney's final day of operation was on November 21, and closed to the public on November 16.[36]

2026: Vandalism

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The abandoned mall entrance in January 2026

As of January 2026, news outlets have reported the abandoned mall to be totally trashed, with piles of furniture, graffiti and glass everywhere. One former employee expressed shock at the lack of police and authority present. Westminster police commander Andy Stowers reports that the mall has become a major issue since its closure in October, and that the Westminster police has received over 400 calls for service to the mall, 57 in one week, and that over 30 arrests have been made in relation to trespassing and vandalism. Reportedly, authorities have been patrolling the area more heavily and have been working with the owners of the building to prevent further entry. Despite this, the abandoned mall has been attracting attention from all over southern California. On January 12, the former mall was boarded up with lumber, and fencing was constructed around the property, and an officer patrolling the area.[41]

Redevelopment

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On February 2, 2026, Shopoff Realty Investments announced their acquisition on the remaining piece of the mall from Washington Prime Group was completed.[42] Shopoff Realty plans to redevelop the area with mixed-use housing, townhomes, retail, and a new, relocated Target. The project is known as Bolsa Pacific. Demolition on Westminster Mall started on April 15, 2026. Shopoff Realty announced the following day that besides just the mixed-use development plans, urban green space, a hotel, and walking trails would also be included.[43]

Transit access

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OCTA Routes 25 & 64 served Westminster Mall. Route 25, which runs along Goldenwest Street on the eastern side of the mall, provided access from Huntington Beach and northern Orange County. Route 64, which runs along Bolsa Avenue on the southern side of the mall, provided access from cities to the east such as Garden Grove and Santa Ana. The mall was at the western terminus of Route 64.[44] As of April 6, 2026, route 64 no longer services the mall and now serves the Golden West College campus and Bella Terra in Huntington Beach, California.[45]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "History of Westminster | Westminster, CA". City of Westminster. Archived from the original on 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  2. 1 2 Johnson, Lohn (January 27, 1989). "Koi's Town: County's Akiyamas Have Been Raising 'Living Jewels' Since the 1920s". Los Angeles Times.
  3. 1 2 "Aug 06, 1972, page 123 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  4. ↑ "City of Westminster - History". Westminster-ca.gov. Archived from the original on 2007-10-05.
  5. ↑ "Multi-level mall due to open". Los Angeles Times. August 6, 1974. Retrieved 2009-10-04.[dead link]
  6. ↑ "Aug 06, 1972, page 136 - The Los Angeles Times at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  7. ↑ "Robinson's Opening in the Westminster Mall". Los Angeles Times. April 13, 1975. Retrieved 2009-10-04.[dead link]
  8. 1 2 "Struggling Westminster Mall tries for rebound". Orange County Register. August 30, 2012. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  9. ↑ "Struggling Westminster Mall tries for rebound". Orange County Register. August 30, 2012. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  10. ↑ "Robinson's, May Co. to Merge Stores : Economy: Twelve Southland locations will close and 550 people will be laid off in the cost-cutting move". Los Angeles Times. October 17, 1992. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  11. ↑ "Penney to move store to Westminster". Long Beach Press-Telegram. February 10, 1993. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
  12. ↑ "Simon buys: Simon DeBartolo Group Inc. will buy Corporate". Chicago Tribune. February 19, 1998.
  13. ↑ BAGLI, CHARLES V. (February 20, 1998). "Simon DeBartolo Wins Fight For a Prime Group of Malls". The New York Times.
  14. ↑ "Target sets up shop". Orange County Register. July 26, 2007. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  15. ↑ "Target Coming to Westminster Mall". Orange County Register. July 20, 2006. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  16. ↑ "Big OC mall adds carousel". Orange County Register. January 15, 2011. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  17. ↑ "Westminster Mall to get $10 million-plus makeover". Orange County Register. March 12, 2008. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  18. ↑ "Freebies, deals galore at Westminster Mall grand reopening". Orange County Register. November 11, 2008. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  19. 1 2 3 "Washington Prime to Sell Its Share of 1.2M SF Westminster Mall". The Real Deal. April 17, 2025. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  20. ↑ "Buffets come and leave OC". Orange County Register. November 3, 2015. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  21. ↑ "At Westminster Mall | Seritage".
  22. ↑ "Jump on it: Sky Zone opens at Westminster Mall". Orange County Register. May 12, 2016. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  23. ↑ "Gymboree files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, plans store closures". Los Angeles Times. July 12, 2017. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  24. ↑ "Sears Closing Westminster Mall Location by April". January 4, 2018.
  25. ↑ "John's Incredible Pizza Company Starts Construction of a 41,000-Square-Foot Store at Westminster Mall in Westminster, California". PR Newswire. January 11, 2018. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  26. ↑ "Westminster Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Clinic Draws Hundreds Of Southland Residents". CBS News. April 10, 2020. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  27. ↑ "City of Westminster Helps Distribute Food to Residents in Need During Pandemic". City of Westminster. September 29, 2020. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  28. ↑ "Washington Prime to sell California mall for $160M". Columbus Business First. November 13, 2020. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  29. ↑ "Mall owner Washington Prime declares bankruptcy, calling pandemic "insurmountable"". CBS News. June 14, 2021. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  30. ↑ "Westminster Mall Specific Plan". City of Westminster. Retrieved 2026-09-26.
  31. ↑ Hirsh, Lou (April 27, 2023). "Developer Looks to Overhaul Orange County Mall Site With New Apartments, Hotel". CoStar. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  32. ↑ Fry, Hannah (February 26, 2023). "O.C. malls, fading from their hip glory days, may get new lives as apartments". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  33. ↑ "Washington Prime Group's Westminster Mall Moves Toward Sale". The Real Deal. September 20, 2024. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  34. ↑ Tyko, Kelly (January 9, 2025). "Macy's closing 66 more stores in 2025. See the closure list". Axios. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  35. ↑ "Status Update: JCPenney closing at Westminster Mall". Orange County Register. August 25, 2025. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  36. 1 2 Shukla, Piyush (August 28, 2025). "JCPenney closing Westminster Mall, California store after 32 years — how can shoppers catch the final sales?". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  37. ↑ "Community members sing goodbye to Westminster Mall". Orange County Register. October 21, 2025. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  38. ↑ Petrow-Cohen, Caroline (October 22, 2025). "Orange County shoppers say goodbye to Westminster Mall". Los Angeles Times.
  39. ↑ Palm, Iman (October 23, 2025). "End of an era: Orange County shoppers prepare to say goodbye to Westminster Mall". KTLA 5 News Live at 4.
  40. ↑ Santiago-Molina, Emily (October 29, 2025). "Westminster Mall Stores Close with Redevelopment Up in the Air". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  41. ↑ CBS LA (January 12, 2026). Abandoned Westminster Mall draws vandalism, hundreds of police calls. Retrieved 2026-01-22 – via YouTube.
  42. ↑ "Shopoff Acquires Remaining SoCal Westminster Mall Ahead of Planned Redevelopment". AltsWire. February 2, 2026. Retrieved 2026-09-25.
  43. ↑ "Demolition of abandoned Westminster Mall begins as new development breaks ground". NBC Los Angeles. April 16, 2026. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
  44. ↑ "Route 64" (PDF). Orange County Transportation Authority. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
  45. ↑ [dead link]
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