Located at the south end of the famous Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place is a popular shopping mall in Santa Monica, California, that is currently undergoing major renovations. The new complex is set to reopen in 2009 and it will feature a total, from-the ground-up recreation of the space that will alter some of the fundamental aspects of Santa Monica Place.



The original design for Santa Monica Place was created by renowned architect Frank Gehry, in conjunction with Gruen Associates. It was constructed in 1980 and renovated in 1990. Over the course of its existence, it has been a successful shopping center, drawing many shoppers from Santa Monica and around the state of California.

Because of its dramatic design, it has been used in many different Hollywood films over the years, such as Pretty in Pink and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. It has also been used in the popular television show Beverly Hills 90210. Santa Monica Place is an iconic fixture in Santa Monica, known as one of the finest shopping malls in the area.

Although Santa Monica Place's developer, The Macerich Company, originally wanted to turn the space into a 10-acre complex of high-rises, condominiums, and shopping malls, the community heavily disagreed with the idea because they perceived it as something that would dramatically increase traffic in the area. Because of this, The Macerich Company scaled back their plans.

The new plans call for the complete removal of the mall's roof and a heavy retooling of the mall's interior, one that would make public walkways and give the whole mall a more indoor/outdoor feel. Because of the renovations, all shops were closed except for the Macy's department store, and they will most likely be closed until fall 2009. The renovation has drawn the interest of many popular chains, such as Nordstrom, who signed a letter of intent to open a store there in 2010.