Developers Plan New Simi Valley Mall
Cleveland-based retail developer Forest City Enterprises Inc. will team with San Diego–based Corti Gilchrist Partnership and the Finley Group to build the first new mall in Ventura County, Calif., in 20 years. The $300 million Simi Valley Town Center will be anchored by Macy’s, Robinsons-May and a third major department store that developers will announce at a later date.
The open-air project will be located on 129 acres just across the Los Angeles County line and will have more than a mile of frontage on state Highway 118. The complex, which developers said will encompass retail space of at least 800,000 square feet, will include 120 specialty tenants and restaurants. The project will also have 500 apartment units, making it the largest retail-residential complex in Ventura County.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2004, and sections of the development will open in 2005. Forest City said the new shopping venue will feature Mediterranean architecture, trellised and covered walkways, and mature landscaping.
Forest City is also developing San Francisco’s historic Emporium building into a new Bloomingdale’s store. —Robert McAllister.
