An aerial view of Westminster Mall, highlighting its current state amidst redevelopment discussions.
Westminster Mall’s future is in question as Washington Prime Group seeks to sell its stake following bankruptcy. Revenue has declined, prompting redevelopment plans that have faced challenges. Stakeholders remain watchful as retail trends shift.
Westminster, California – The future of Westminster Mall hangs in uncertainty as its landlord, Washington Prime Group (WPG), actively seeks to offload its stake in the shopping center. The recently filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection by WPG and plans to streamline its portfolio have raised questions about the mall’s viability moving forward.
WPG, which previously managed to conduct significant sales last year, is in the process of selling several of its properties, including the Westminster Mall. The company has disposed of half of its national portfolio since filing for bankruptcy, and Westminster Mall is included among the properties listed for sale. Other malls in WPG’s portfolio up for sale include Scottsdale Quarter in Arizona, Gateway Shopping Center in Texas, and Polaris Fashion Place in Ohio.
Opened in 1974, Westminster Mall has struggled with declining revenue, reporting $120.1 million in taxable income for the year ending June 2024, marking a 1.6% year-over-year decline. The mall’s sales figures have plummeted from nearly $270 million in the early 2010s to significantly lower amounts in recent years. The dwindling foot traffic reflects broader trends impacting shopping centers across the nation, prompting a push for redevelopment and adaptive reuse.
Efforts to redevelop Westminster Mall included ambitious plans to convert the site into a mixed-use hub, which would feature over 1,200 residential units. These plans proposed transforming the mall into a place that integrates living spaces with retail, aiming to attract more visitors by blending shopping with other lifestyle experiences. However, these redevelopment efforts faced hurdles, including a failed effort to sell part of the property to Taylor Morrison Corp. for $160 million.
In a related note, Shopoff Realty Investments—an Irvine-based firm—holds a significant stake in the Westminster Mall, having acquired a 26-acre parcel that includes Macy’s and the former Sears store for approximately $95 million in 2022. Their proposed Bolsa Pacific project intends to add 1,065 rental units, 102 for-sale townhomes, a 175-room hotel, and 25,000 square feet of retail space, complete with green spaces and recreational amenities. Nonetheless, this project’s plans have not seen updates since 2023, intensifying concerns about its fate.
In close proximity to Westminster Mall, Kaiser Permanente purchased a 10-acre plot in 2020 for a new medical office facility. However, the timeline for this project’s development remains undisclosed, adding further layers of uncertainty regarding future investments in the area.
The challenges facing Westminster Mall are emblematic of wider trends seen across the retail landscape in recent years. As shopping habits change, malls are under increasing pressure to evolve their business models. Industry experts report that over 200 malls nationwide have integrated residential housing into their properties as a response to declining consumer foot traffic and the growing preference for experiential retail environments.
As WPG moves toward an exit strategy for its remaining properties, the outcome for Westminster Mall hangs in the balance. Stakeholders, including consumers, surrounding communities, and potential developers, remain watchful of how this situation unfolds, as it could greatly shape the future of the once-thriving shopping destination.
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