GlobeSt.com: What makes the Anaheim GardenWalk project significant?

Mayblum: We view the project as leading the new vision of retail—there's a clear transformation going on, and it's important to be at the forefront of that. This vision dictated what changes from a physical standpoint needed to be made to make the project successful.

We created very clear sight lines from store to store and area to area so people could move throughout the project easily and understand what was in the different areas of the project. Our goal was to increase the consumer experience from a physical standpoint. Then, we added a successful tenant mix. Anaheim is a little more unique; to begin with, people are looking for more of an experience today when they're shopping. The project was originally conceptualized as traditional retail and zoned for 30% entertainment and restaurant and 70% traditional retail, but we flipped it on its head: it's now 60% to 70% entertainment/restaurant and 30% to 40% traditional retail. This vision is proving itself out in two ways: 1. leasing—House of Blues recently opened; and 2. from a consumer experience, that alone increases traffic by a substantial amount to the project, and helps to support other entertainment and retail venues in the project.

|

GlobeSt.com: How are the renovations of this project expected to impact Anaheim?

Mayblum: Anaheim as a city is both the local people within the community and the tourists. Anaheim has approximately 27 million visitors a year, between Disneyland and the convention center. In the past, often visitors would leave the district for other shopping venues, and our redevelopment of this project dramatically increases their ability to shop within the district and to stay from a restaurant perspective. As for the job base, this project will create an additional 3,000-plus jobs for the community. It's driving income in all sorts of ways around that and creates a facility to be enjoyed by the community.

GlobeSt.com: What elements does a region need in order to make projects like this a success?

Mayblum: It's hard to compare the dynamics of GardenWalk with very many other projects in the country. We're fortunate to be surrounded by Disneyland and the biggest convention center in California. Also, it's the fourth most-visited city in the US. And then, more particularly, within a 10-mile radius you have two million residents, so it's a unique blend of a strong local economy and a strong tourist economy. GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about Anaheim Gardenwalk?

Mayblum: We're really excited about the project because there's more to come. Two hotels integrated into the project that will be starting this year: JW Marriott is breaking ground, and Westgate will be developing a timeshare project. From our perspective, it's a very exciting time. We look forward to bringing several exciting and dynamic new tenants to the project.

|

ANAHEIM, CA—Recent renovations to Anaheim GardenWalk turns the tables on the customary retail-center mix of 70% traditional retail to 30% entertainment and restaurants, making the project more enjoyable and easier to navigate for visitors, Arcturus' co-founder and principal Jonathan Mayblum tells GlobeSt.com. Arcturus is the real estate asset-management company that owns and manages Anaheim GardenWalk, a 460,000-square-foot outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment center in the Anaheim Resort District.

GardenWalk is near Disneyland® Resort and Anaheim Convention Center and a short drive from Angel Stadium and Honda Center. The project hosts a collection of popular restaurants, vibrant nightlife, trendy shops an upscale bowling lounge and fun family events. New happenings include the addition of restaurants, entertainment venues and retail shops. Arcturus tells us that planned physical improvements to the property are substantially complete, although the center still has some leasing to accomplish.

With the redevelopment completed, Anaheim GardenWalk aims to provide a one-of-a-kind guest experience and a world-class gathering place for locals and visitors. The center hosted a grand-opening celebration on March 23, with offerings including House of Blues Anaheim, Rumba Room Live, Grasslands Meat Market, Artists Republic Gallery, Billy Beez, Go VR Gaming and Mission Escape Games.

We spoke with Mayblum about the project and how the renovations are expected to affect Anaheim.

GlobeSt.com: What makes the Anaheim GardenWalk project significant?

Mayblum: We view the project as leading the new vision of retail—there's a clear transformation going on, and it's important to be at the forefront of that. This vision dictated what changes from a physical standpoint needed to be made to make the project successful.

We created very clear sight lines from store to store and area to area so people could move throughout the project easily and understand what was in the different areas of the project. Our goal was to increase the consumer experience from a physical standpoint. Then, we added a successful tenant mix. Anaheim is a little more unique; to begin with, people are looking for more of an experience today when they're shopping. The project was originally conceptualized as traditional retail and zoned for 30% entertainment and restaurant and 70% traditional retail, but we flipped it on its head: it's now 60% to 70% entertainment/restaurant and 30% to 40% traditional retail. This vision is proving itself out in two ways: 1. leasing—House of Blues recently opened; and 2. from a consumer experience, that alone increases traffic by a substantial amount to the project, and helps to support other entertainment and retail venues in the project.