South Coast Plaza

The South Coast Plaza is a large shopping center in Costa Mesa, California. On the site there are several missions department store chains and numerous retail shops. The specialized classy brands complex radiates far beyond the Orange County out of a strong attraction.

Currently, the South Coast Plaza occupies the second place on the list of largest shopping malls in the United States. The shopping center is one of about 24 million visitors annually. Of the approximately 518,000 square meters total area about 270,000 square feet of retail space are that currently divide 293 shops. The rental price was around U.S. $ 1,000 per square foot in 2006. Sales totals about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars a year.

Location and Directions

The South Coast Plaza is located in the heart of Costa Mesa. Steps away from the Orange County Performing Arts Center ( OCPAC ) and the South Coast Repertory (SCR ) the cultural flagships of the region. The two major cities of Los Angeles and San Diego can be reached from here in each one hour by car. The cosmopolitan coastal city of Newport Beach is located just minutes south on the Pacific Ocean.

Conveniently away is a highway junction, where the Interstate 405 and California State Route 55 meet. The northern end of California State Route 73 is also located close to the shopping center. To the individual building parts around is an abundance of parking spaces available.

The Orange County Transportation Authority ( OCTA ) operates ten bus routes, stopping at South Coast Plaza. Additionally between the near Disneyland Resort and the surrounding hotels a shuttle bus.

History

In March 1967 Harold T. Segerstrom opened together with his cousin Henry T. Segerstrom, a shopping center on a former lima bean field of the family. The architect of the original building was Victor Gruen. By skillful management, the South Coast Plaza expanded rapidly. Well-known chain stores such as Nordstrom or Bullock's received in the years 1973 to 1979 separate extensions to the existing complex.

Thanks to ever- growing number of visitors began in 1988 again with the construction generous extensions. So in addition to many new shops, new boulevards were created. Several shops switched from the nearby shopping center Fashion Iceland in Newport Beach in the successful South Coast Plaza. Another large-scale renovation of the shopping center took place in 2000, when the company invested about 100 million U.S. dollars. The renovations included the construction of a 180 meter long pedestrian bridge to one of the outbuildings. In addition, the distribution of the individual shops has been optimized. So there are today, for example, businesses with similar product range focuses on spaces provided. This relieved the overview in the sprawling South Coast Plaza now very considerable.

On 29 July 2008, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake was registered near Chino Hills. The epicenter was just 30 miles ( 48 km) north of Costa Mesa removed. However, the shock of the earthquake ensured only for minor damage to the equipment.

The South Coast Plaza is still privately owned by the Segerstrom family, thus one of the few major shopping centers, which do not belong to a real estate investment trust. The Segerstrom family, with the business revenues also instrumental culture in Orange County. Among them is the generous contributions to the construction of the Orange County Performing Arts Center ( OCPAC ) in Costa Mesa.

Architecture

Striking architectural elements were always a part of the South Coast Plaza. Almost all the buildings on the site of the shopping center are impressive examples of modernism in architecture. For the design of the original building from 1967, Victor Gruen was responsible. The extensions were designed by well renowned architects. These included among others William Blurock and Welton Beckett. For the design of the added in 2000 footbridge were hired landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson.

The South Coast Plaza in the Arts and Media

The shopping center has established itself over the years as a fixture in Southern California. The South Coast Plaza appeared, therefore, been to several film and television productions, including:

  • The OC ( 2003-07 ), the gambling in Newport Beach television series always binds an attractions or monuments in the region. In the fictional series frequently the South Coast Plaza is mentioned, where the figures also shop several times. The window air images again show the adjacent Fashion Iceland. The shooting took place but always in Manhattan Beach.

The South Coast Plaza is also mentioned in other television series, playing in the region:

  • Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990-2000)
  • Clueless - The Chaos Clique (1996-1999)
  • Newport Harbor: The Real Orange County ( 2007-08 )

In reality, the South Coast Plaza is an attraction for many celebrities and actors.

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