The transformation of the Santa Monica Place was created by The Jerde Partnership, founded 33 years ago this October and whose partners include founder Jon and Janice Jerde, 25-year Brentwood residents. Jerde is a Venice Beach-based architecht. Santa Monica Place is the most recent project representing the firm’s expansive portfolio of destinations, which also includes Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles, and Fremont Street Experience and Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Local developer Macerich, which owns Santa Monica Place, sought Jerde to redesign the existing mall into a vibrant and intimate public setting. Blending timeless urban principles that predate conventional malls with its organic approach to retail design, Jerde integrated the project into the existing city fabric. The mall was opened up to reconnect it to the downtown core.
Macerich agreed with Jerde’s suggestion to remove the roof to take advantage of the climate, and the project was designed as a street that effectively extends the Third Street Promenade, which invites pedestrian activity into the project.
High-end department stores Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are new to Santa Monica, as are more than 100 additional retailers that cater to local shoppers and give local flavor.
While other malls have recently been closing their doors, the new Santa Monica Place has attracted large numbers of patrons and visitors since its opening.
The Jerde Partnership’s projects worldwide now attract over 1 billion people annually.
