Santa Monica Mall -- The next generation
The Demolition of the existing Santa Monica mall began just the other day, with an official launch party attended by Santa Monica politicos, and officials from the mall developer, Mecerich.
Eco friendly bags were handed out, as well as T shirts and cupcakes. Smart and Sweet wins the day.
FYI - Mecerich is a German company, whose US headquarters are in Santa Monica.
All this gives me pause to remember that on one of my fist visits to Santa Monica, as a student, I was taken to see the new Santa Monica Mall. Being a New York City dweller, I didn't completely get the concept or the attendant excitement. It was Christmastime and my recollection is that there was a skating rink set up in the atrium -- which given that it was a gorgeous Sunny Santa Monica day struck me as funny (I had not yet embraced moral relativism in weather and sports activities that is one of the core principles of California living).
As I recall, back then (1979, or `1980) The Third Street promenade was a desolate dirty pedestrian area whose stores were, for the most part, used bookstores and Army Navy stores and thrift shops. Back then the Mall was the draw.
Times have changed so much that now the 3rd Street Promenade is the draw and the mall at its edge is so neglected as to be demolished in favor of an open air structure that will extend the Promendae and follow the retailing examples (and hopefully success) of The Grove and Century City Malls.
The new Mall is slated to open Fall 2009..
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