The Renovation Will Add New Security Measures, Floors, Lights, and More.
After being acquired by European commercial real estate company Unibail-Rodamco in June in a multi-billion-dollar sale, the giant Westfield Topanga shopping center in Canoga Park, Calif. is getting a $70 million makeover that is set to elevate its aesthetic. Originally opened in 1964, the mall is home to Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and a slew of other high-end department stores and boutique shops. Though it draws around 22 million visitors per year, it been looking a little dated when compared with the Village Topanga, its hip new sibling across the street. (Opened in 2015, the Village Topanga is a shopping center with restaurants, shops, fitness companies, businesses, and an outdoor children’s play area.) Vice president and general manager Molly Unger said the refurbishment at Westfield Topanga will focus on “clean lines and an elegant look.”
Specifically, the multimillion-dollar upgrade is set to install new sleek floors and dark walnut paneling. Some sections of the shopping center will also add long-term, high-end art exhibitions that will bring an elevated sense of wonder to the space. Enhanced security measures such as new lighting and additional cameras will be added, and the family lounges and restrooms will also undergo a renovation.
David Rush, the senior vice president at commercial real estate company CBRE Group, referred to the project as part of the evolution of the urban mall. Though many shoppers are increasingly turning to online giants like Amazon, Unibail-Rodamco’s commitment to modernizing Westfield Topanga shows that traditional shopping venues are still in high demand with many consumers.
Thankfully, shoppers won’t have to find a new mall to go to in the interim because the San Fernando Valley staple will remain open during the makeover. According to officials, the construction work won’t impact customers because it will take place after business hours.
