Segerstrom family at fete for the Assouline book Henry T. Segerstrom. From left Alette Segerstrom, Jennifer Segerstrom, Andrea Grant, Henry Segerstrom, Noel Segerstrom, and Anton Segerstrom. Image courtesy of South Coast Plaza.
Henry Segerstrom's Art & Commerce
When talking about Henry Segerstrom’s career, art actually did go with commerce.
Henry Segerstrom not only is a founding partner of South Coast Plaza, one of the top luxury retail centers in United States. He also pushed Orange County into being an area for the arts. Across the street from SCP, there’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Henry donated the land for the arts complex, and gave the initial gift to build its first concert venue, Segerstrom Hall, as well as the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Currently the arts center is the home of Pacific Symphony Orchestra , Pacific Chorale, South Coast Repertory Theater. It also hosts different venues such as the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall and the intimate 250-seat Founders Hall.
Recently, the 90-year-old Segerstrom hosted a party at South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court for a coffee table book documenting his arts patronage. The book, called Henry T. Segerstrom: The Courage of Imagination and the Development of the Arts in Southern California, was put together by Assouline Publishing. The New York-headquartered luxury publisher also runs a boutique at the retail center. The tome contains interviews with the retail and arts leader as well as beautiful photography of Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
