University’s Acquisition Sparks Speculation on Future Development
By Dolores Quintana
It’s hard to believe that the Westside Pavilion closed five years ago, but it has. Until now, the most recent news was that Google had plans for the property, as announced by Hudson Pacific Properties. However, as reported by Urbanize Los Angeles, that plan seems to have changed.
As revealed in a recent environmental notice, UCLA is poised to acquire the former Westside Pavilion from Hudson Pacific Properties and Macerich, though the financial terms remain undisclosed. The acquisition encompasses the eastern half of the mall at 10800-10830 W. Pico Boulevard, which has already undergone extensive renovations and repurposing into office facilities. Additionally, it includes the mostly unaltered western section of the mall at 10850 W. Pico Boulevard. Despite the acquisition, the university’s specific plans for the site remain fluid at this juncture.
The notice explicitly states, “The University will make no decision to undertake further development until it has complied with CEQA and an overall site development plan has been approved…” This cautious approach underscores UCLA’s commitment to thorough evaluation and adherence to regulatory processes before committing to any future development on the acquired property.
It’s worth noting that the acquisition does not encompass the West End, formerly housing Macy’s within the Westside Pavilion. This space has been transformed into a distinct 240,000-square-foot office complex by GPI Cos. Furthermore, the parking garage associated with the mall has been demolished and is currently undergoing redevelopment into a mixed-use apartment complex by GPI.
This move marks a significant expansion for UCLA. Over the past two years, the institution has been buying up property, adding notable structures such as the historic Trust Building in Downtown Los Angeles for a satellite campus and the former Marymount California University campus in Rancho Palos Verdes to its portfolio. As UCLA ventures into this new chapter with the Westside Pavilion, the university’s strategic plans for the site will undoubtedly attract attention and scrutiny.
