Mall would be made into outdoor center
Nearly a year after the Westfield Group embarked on giving the Carlsbad mall on El Camino Real its first major facelift in decades, the company has revealed plans for an even more radical transformation, one that would turn the 45-year-old indoor mall into an outdoor destination.
The company said the proposed $300 million renovation project will remove the roof from Westfield Carlsbad, and finish the transformation by adding landscaping and water fountains, inviting gathering spaces and other amenities that will give the mall a more modern feel and take cues from Carlsbad's beachside setting. The project would not require an increase in square footage.
"Westfield is excited to embark upon this transformational project in Carlsbad," said Jerry Engen, Westfield's senior vice president. "This concept is part of the ongoing evolution of Westfield Carlsbad and will provide the retail, entertainment and dining experiences local residents and visitors deserve, all in a gorgeous and uniquely Southern California environment."
The Carlsbad City Council must approve the expanded renovation plans. The proposals will first go to the Carlsbad Planning Commission in the fall.
The first phase of construction, which started last year, is underway and expected to be completed later in the year. That phase, which focused on the eastern part of the mall, includes the addition of a large gym, a luxury theater and new dining opportunities.
During the second phase of construction, at which time the roof will be removed, much of the center will be closed, though the new additions as well as the department stores and select restaurants will remain open.
Westfield says its plans include to add "a number of premium shops and dining options that will provide a high-end shopping experience" to Westfield Carlsbad.
The project would add more than 1,200 high-wage union jobs during construction and more than 1,000 jobs will be located in the new commercial space when the project is finished.
Westfield says the project would generate more than $450 million in total economic output to the local economy, as well as $1.2 million of new revenue to the City of Carlsbad's General Fund.
"This is a long overdue rejuvenation," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. "We are very pleased with the concept that Westfield has presented, and can't wait to see it put in action. This plan is everything anyone who has ever wanted a renovated Westfield Carlsbad could ever imagine."
Nearly a year after the Westfield Group embarked on giving the Carlsbad mall on El Camino Real its first major facelift in decades, the company has revealed plans for an even more radical transformation, one that would turn the 45-year-old indoor mall into an outdoor destination.
The company said the proposed $300 million renovation project will remove the roof from Westfield Carlsbad, and finish the transformation by adding landscaping and water fountains, inviting gathering spaces and other amenities that will give the mall a more modern feel and take cues from Carlsbad's beachside setting. The project would not require an increase in square footage.
"Westfield is excited to embark upon this transformational project in Carlsbad," said Jerry Engen, Westfield's senior vice president. "This concept is part of the ongoing evolution of Westfield Carlsbad and will provide the retail, entertainment and dining experiences local residents and visitors deserve, all in a gorgeous and uniquely Southern California environment."
The Carlsbad City Council must approve the expanded renovation plans. The proposals will first go to the Carlsbad Planning Commission in the fall.
The first phase of construction, which started last year, is underway and expected to be completed later in the year. That phase, which focused on the eastern part of the mall, includes the addition of a large gym, a luxury theater and new dining opportunities.
During the second phase of construction, at which time the roof will be removed, much of the center will be closed, though the new additions as well as the department stores and select restaurants will remain open.
Westfield says its plans include to add "a number of premium shops and dining options that will provide a high-end shopping experience" to Westfield Carlsbad.
The project would add more than 1,200 high-wage union jobs during construction and more than 1,000 jobs will be located in the new commercial space when the project is finished.
Westfield says the project would generate more than $450 million in total economic output to the local economy, as well as $1.2 million of new revenue to the City of Carlsbad's General Fund.
"This is a long overdue rejuvenation," said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. "We are very pleased with the concept that Westfield has presented, and can't wait to see it put in action. This plan is everything anyone who has ever wanted a renovated Westfield Carlsbad could ever imagine."