Developers Adopt New Strategy on Westside Pavilion Project

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.”

The 230,000-square-foot property formerly housed a Macy’s department store. It is currently under construction and will be rebranded as the West End Campus. “Our vision for West End campus is to serve as a case-study in converting out of commission big-box retail stores into vibrant office spaces,” says Sonani. “This is certainly a much more sustainable approach than building new structures and it preserves existing infrastructure and urban fabric. Most existing malls are located in high density urban centers and ripe for creative intervention of this kind.” GPI plans to welcome its first tenants in early 2021.

The property is located at Pico Boulevard and Overland Avenue with close access to the Expo Line’s Westwood/Rancho Park station. HLW took the location into consideration when designing the property. “To create a stronger connection to the neighborhood, the existing building is being split into halves, allowing the central courtyard to flow beyond the site,” says Sonani. “This connection will invite the public into the new corporate campus, and will bring more life into the surrounding area. We are also modernizing the building’s facade by outfitting perimeter walls with glass to create transparency among tenants and visitors. This strategy will also provide immense environmental benefits by forming open lobbies along the courtyard—allowing for more efficient heating and cooling of the corresponding office spaces.”