Nordstrom is Leaving the West Side Pavillion for Century City in 2017

[Orli Belman]

The rumors are true.

Nordstrom announced yesterday that after 30 years in the area, they are leaving their anchor location at the West Side Pavillion and moving to Westfield's Century City mall, which is nearly doubling its retail space in an $800 million dollar redevelopment effort.

"We are grateful for the nearly 30 years we've been able to serve customers in West Los Angeles in our current location but we believe we can offer customers a better shopping experience in a new store that will include our latest design concepts," said Jamie Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom in a press release. "We're excited to join Westfield Century City, a truly exciting shopping and entertainment destination."

The move is expected to take place in 2017. 

No word yet on what the Westside Pavillion will do but on his blog, Places Worth Caring About, planner and urbanist Patrick Prescott suggests that the Rancho Park corner location,  a short walk from the soon-to-open Expo Westwood station,  is ideal for a mixed use commercial-residential development. A development - or redevelopment - that he says could provide more housing in the area and open up the corner, eliminating what he calls, "the fortress-like appearance" of the mall.

Photo from Places Worth Caring About.

[LORIN JOHN 0'NEIL CACCAMISE]

In the 1940's the neighborhood kids, including myself and Bobby Driscoll, shared a TREE HOUSE AND TRUCK TIRE SWING in the small grove of trees where Nordstrom now invades. Goodbye !!! I'm pleased to have invested in West Pico Commercial properties and now lease out eleven retail and office spaces to great businesses. I started paying off mortgages in 1965; and now I'm "cost" free nd happily looking for another tree house. As a member of Rancho Park Lion's Club, I was saddened when that too....vanished.

[Leonard Shilton]

Bring back Owl Drugs, JJ Newberrys, Vons, The little Folk Shop, the original See's Candies, et al. Also the big, empty lot where The May Company/Robinsons May/Macy's is,where the circus came to town and where Kiddie Land was, Scots Hamburgers on the other side of Pico, McFarland's Candies, The Picwood Theater, The Picwood Bowl, Allied Models, The Union 76 Station at the corner, Biff's coffee shop, and SOME PEACE AND QUIET! And, kids playing in the neighborhood all day long without mom an dad being neurotic about their whereabouts.

Only a few will know what I am talking about. Maybe the good old days actually were the GOOD OLD DAYS! I don't live in the past. I am a modern guy. But some things are better left alone, you know.

[Orli Belman]

I reached out the Vito Bello, the marketing manager for the Westside Pavillion and a member here at Rancho Park Online. He emailed me right back with the following statement:

"Nordstrom is and continues to be an incredible brand and our partner throughout our portfolio.  While we cannot comment on their business decision to close this particular location, we are exploring new concepts and uses that will continue to complement the retail mix that exists at Westside Pavilion. Retail is about what’s fresh and new, and we know this well-positioned space will bring new energy and opportunity. It’s important to keep in mind their store is not closing until 2017, so we encourage our shoppers to continue to shop the great brands at Nordstrom and Westside Pavilion."

I did ask for more info on what fresh and new might look like but it seems we will have to wait and see.

"Unfortunately I have no solid details that I can share with you at this time," he said in an email response.  "I can only assure you the reimagining of Westside Pavilion is well underway and that all avenues are part of the discussion.  We look forward to sharing details as plans are solidified."

Stay tuned, everyone.

 

 

 

[Eddie North-Hager]

I never, ever go to Century City mall. Parking is scary and the traffic there. So great having Nordstrom at WP. And the Westside Tavern, and Landmark Cinemas (and Guitar Center).

[Orli Belman]

Adrienne and Tyson,

Agreed this is a bummer but I think it is inevitable. Indoor malls are a dying breed. No new indoor mall has been built since 2006, according to PBS.  I remember a time in the 80's when the Westside Pavillion was the mall in West LA and Century City was a white elephant. Times change. I just hope the folks at Macerich, who  own the mall and reimagined Santa Monica's sad space, have a vision for what comes next.  And please don't let it include another Pico Blvd. mattress store. How do they all stay in business, btw?

[Adrienne Luce]

That is SUCH a drag!!!! I don't understand why Westside Pavilion isn't a better mall. I wish we would get some better stores and I am very sad to hear Nordstrom's is leaving.

[Tyson Gaskill]

Ah shoot, I love Nordstrom's but HATE going to the Century City mall. *SIGH*