In response to the pandemic, developer GPI has decided to move away from retail investment entirely. As part of the new investment strategy, GPI will revise current developments, including the Westside Pavilion project, a former shopping center in Los Angeles.

GPI is working with architecture firm HLW to reimagine the property into a creative office campus. The original vision include ground floor retail space, but following the pandemic, GPI and HLW have decided to eschew retail in favor of creating ground floor media and tech office suites.

Responding directly to the consequences of the pandemic, GPI pivoted its leasing strategy to focus on creative office and media/ technology tenants instead of street facing ground floor retail," Sejal Sonani, a principal at HLW Los Angeles, tells GlobeSt.com. "As we continue to see an increased demand for healthy buildings, this project has transformed into an interesting case study for what tenants will expect from workplaces in the future—especially in Los Angeles. We completely upgraded previously designed HVAC and MEP systems to accommodate enhanced health and safety measures."