Developer Hudson Pacific Properties made an exciting announcement at the beginning of the year. They declared a significant agreement to convert the closed Westside Pavilion shopping mall into a vast office campus passing over over 580,000 square feet for Google.
However, this deal now faces doubt as a well-established organization in Los Angeles institution takes regulatory over the property.
UCLA has recently announced its acquisition of the former Westside Pavilion in an undisclosed deal with Hudson Pacific Properties and Macerich because of an environmental notice issued today. The purchase surrounded the eastern half of the mall on 10800-10830 W. Pico Boulevard, which has been renovated into office facilities, as well as the mostly consistent western section of the mall on 10850 W. Pico Boulevard.
At the moment, the university does not have definite plans for the site. The university has said that it will not proceed with any development until it meets the requirements of CEQA and obtains approval for an overall site development plan.
The purchase does not seem to include the West End of the Westside Pavilion's Macy's, as it has been transformed into a separate 240,000-square-foot office complex by GPI Cos. Additionally, the previously existing parking garage has been destroyed and GPI is currently redeveloping it into a mixed-use apartment complex.
Regardless of the removal of the Westside Pavilion site, Google still maintains a significant presence in the Los Angeles area. Both Google and YouTube are currently situated in a collection of historical Hughes Aircraft facilities in Playa Vista, which includes the Spruce Goose hangar over 300,000 square feet. Google, headquartered in Mountain View, also owns 12 acres of adjoining land, although its intentions for the vacant property have not been disclosed.
UCLA's latest attempt is the acquisition of the Westside Pavilion, marks a significant addition to their expanding portfolio. The university has been actively engaging in a series of purchases for the past two years, including the esteemed Trust Building in Downtown Los Angeles for a satellite campus and the former campus of Marymount California University located in Rancho Palos Verdes.
