Westfield UTC
Encyclopedia
Westfield UTC, formerly University Towne Centre (UTC), is an open-air shopping mall
in the University City
community of San Diego
, California
. It lies just east of La Jolla, near the University of California, San Diego
campus. Owned by the Westfield Group, its anchor stores are Macy's
, Nordstrom
and Sears
.
Westfield bought both the closed Robinsons-May store and the freehold of the Macy's store in 2006.
Ice Town, one of the few public ice skating rinks in San Diego, is still up and running in the same building as the shopping center's food court. As of today the food court rink now houses Ice Skating
, Hockey
, Football
, Baseball
, Soccer, and many other sports.
Westfield UTC's 6 movie Mann Theatres
franchise was there from 1979 to 1999, situated where the Sports Chalet is today.
anchor, a new mezzanine level, as well as two parking structures.
, but had been delayed due to the recession, later that year.
On September 7, 2011, it was announced by the developers of Westfield UTC, The Hahn Company
, that they would be going ahead with the redevelopment.
The $1 billion expansion project will include:
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in the University City
University City, San Diego, California
University City is a community in San Diego, California, located in the northwestern portion of the city next to the University of California, San Diego...
community of San Diego
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It lies just east of La Jolla, near the University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
campus. Owned by the Westfield Group, its anchor stores are Macy's
Macy's West
Macy's West was a longtime division of Macy's, Inc. , representing one of the New York-based department store chain's earliest notable acquisitions and westward expansions...
, Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
and Sears
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
.
History
Westfield America, Inc., a precursor to the Westfield Group acquired the shopping center in 1998, and renamed it "Westfield Shoppingtown UTC", dropping the "Shoppingtown" name in June 2005.Westfield bought both the closed Robinsons-May store and the freehold of the Macy's store in 2006.
Ice Town, one of the few public ice skating rinks in San Diego, is still up and running in the same building as the shopping center's food court. As of today the food court rink now houses Ice Skating
Ice skating
Ice skating is moving on ice by using ice skates. It can be done for a variety of reasons, including leisure, traveling, and various sports. Ice skating occurs both on specially prepared indoor and outdoor tracks, as well as on naturally occurring bodies of frozen water, such as lakes and...
, Hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, Baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, Soccer, and many other sports.
Westfield UTC's 6 movie Mann Theatres
Mann Theatres
Mann Theatres is a movie theatre chain that, as of November 17, 2011, operates in only one location with 8 screens in the city of Westlake. Its motto is "Where Hollywood goes to the movies"....
franchise was there from 1979 to 1999, situated where the Sports Chalet is today.
1984 Revitalization
The centers last major redevelopment concluded in 1984, with the addition of a NordstromNordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
anchor, a new mezzanine level, as well as two parking structures.
2008-2013 Redevelopment
In 2008 a multi-million dollar revitalization plan for the shopping center was approved by the San Diego City CouncilSan Diego City Council
The San Diego City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of San Diego, California. The city councilmember seats are all officially non-partisan by state law. There are currently 8 members of the city council, which will be expanded to 9 members in 2012 under the terms of a...
, but had been delayed due to the recession, later that year.
On September 7, 2011, it was announced by the developers of Westfield UTC, The Hahn Company
The Hahn Company
The Hahn Company, San Diego, California, alternately known as Ernest W. Hahn, Inc., was a major American shopping center owner and developer from the 1950s to the 1980s. It is now defunct....
, that they would be going ahead with the redevelopment.
The $1 billion expansion project will include:
|
|
|
|
|
| Prior development | After development | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shops | 150 | 300~ |
| Major stores | Apple Crate & Barrel Macy's Nordstrom Pottery Barn Sears |
ArcLight Cinemas complex Anchor 1 Anchor 2 Anchor 3 Apple Crate & Barrel Macy's Nordstrom Pottery Barn Sears |
| Car park spaces | 4,500 | 7,500 |
| Retail space (gross lettable area) |
1,066,842 ft² | 1,816,842 ft² |
Anchors
- Macy'sMacy'sMacy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
(155,623 sq ft.) - NordstromNordstromNordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
(121,673 sq ft.) - Sears (190,000 sq ft.)