Makeover of the Century Ground Breaking event June 3, 2004

(Originally appeared in the July 1, 2004 edition of the Century City News)

On June 3, 2004 a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Westfield Shopping Center to celebrate the new development which has commenced on the property.

AMC TO HOUSE FLAGSHIP THEATER IN CENTURY CITY

Dick Walsh Executive Vice President of Film and Marketing for AMC Theaters announced that AMC would be opening it’s number one premier theater at the Westfield Shoppingtown Century City. The new AMC theatre complex will feature 15 screens on two theatre levels. The theatre auditoriums will provide stadium seating top-to-bottom and extra-wide seats and expanded legroom. In addition, each theatre will be equipped with wall to wall screens and digital surround sound.

Said Dick Walsh at the Makeover groundbreaking party “AMC has designed a world class facility to suit a world class location. The theatre’s design is highlighted by a four-story, glass front atrium and a curved grand staircase. Add to that the best choices in first run films and a specially commissioned, custom interior design and this new AMC 15 will be the movie theatre to go to in Los Angeles.

Apple Store Coming to Century City

As part of the Makeover of the Century Paul Kurzawa (General Manager of Westfield Shoppingtown Century City) announced that Apple will be among the new retailers scheduled to open in the Westield Shoppingtown Century City. Other retailers scheduled to open include Williams’Sonoma Home, Hold Everything, The Container Store, Limited Too, Baby Gap, Swarovski and Papyrus. These additions will create a whole new synergy and redefine the ultimate shopping experience.

The Makeover of the Century

We just entered a new Century and already we have a makeover that will be unparalleled. Only fitting that this makeover should happen in the Capital of Makeovers. This isn’t just cosmetic but full blown reconstruction. The cost of the makeover is expected to top one hundred twenty seven million dollars. Who could possibly spend this kind of money on a makeover? Any guesses? I will give you a hint, it’s one of the last outdoor shopping malls in California.

Still don’t know?

Westfield has commenced work on the Makeover of the Century an exciting redevelopment and expansion of Westfield Shoppingtown Century City to make shopping better for you. The redevelopment will include a state of the art 15 screen AMC Theatre, more fashion for you and your home, an expanded Gelson’s The Super Market, more dining options, new and expanded alfresco style food court and a distinctive new center design.

A groundbreaking was held on June 3, 2004 to commence “The Makeover of the Century”. In attendance at the event was Paul Kurzawa the General Manager of Westfield Shoppingtown, Ken Wong, Jack Weiss 5th district council member for the city of Los Angeles, Chuck Stilley, the President of AMC Realty, and Jim Lynch, the CEO of the Century City Chamber of Commerce (prior to his departure to Beverly Hills).

Westfield Shoppingtown Century City is built upon what used to be the back lot of Twentieth Century Fox Film Studios. Prior to that it was a ranch owned by Tom Mix. Many films have been filmed on this site including: “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” and more recently “Anywhere But Here” and “Bandits”. Once the Studio that made the films how fitting that this Makeover should include a four story glass front atrium and a curved grand staircase to high light AMC’s new 15 screen Theatre Complex. AMC will be equipping each theatre with wall-to-wall screens and digital surround sound, stadium seating, custom interior design and the best choices in first run films. All of this will make this the popular choice theatre in Los Angeles

Contemporaneously construction will continue on The sixty-eight million dollar beautification and expansion project on Santa Monica Boulevard, between the 405 Freeway and Beverly Hills city limit that is scheduled for completion in late 2005 and will greatly enhance the access and visibility of the Shoppingtown.

As we know Westfield Shoppingtown is a memorable shopping experience. It begins the moment you arrive and continues until the moment you leave. An array of thoughtful services are yours for the asking, like gift suggestions from their Shopping Concierge or package carryout. However they can serve you, their priority is to make you feel special and appreciated. After all, it’s what they do to make shopping better for you. The service of the shopping concierge doesn’t stop there. The Concierge is there to assist you in any way possible. From Gift ideas to store directions to package carryout, a Shopping Concierge is at your service. The Shopping Concierge Center is located near the AMC Century 14 Theatres.

Westfield also offers some services unique only to Westfield Shoppingtowns. If you are an expectant mother there are parking spaces reserved just for you conveniently placed for easy store access. Valet services are available for shoppers every day. Westfield offers a signature gift box to complement almost any gift. Topped with a beautiful ribbon it makes an impressive presentation. When you need a gift, you can valet your car, spend a few hours shopping, and walk away with a beautifully presented gift. Westfield is also kid friendly offering free balloons and Kiddie Kruzzers. Westfield Shoppingtown Gift Cards are perfect for any occasion or take advantage of the Shopping Concierge for gift ideas for weddings, birthdays or any occasion that will impress anyone on your list.

The Westfield difference is evident throughout - from design, to operations, to customer service at every one of their shoppingtowns here in California and across the Country. The definition is embedded in the hearts of every one of their employees and they know that their customers come to expect from every Westfield Shoppingtown. Each member of the team is dedicated to delivering and exceeding expectations for all of their customers

The Makeover will take this spirit of customer service to a new level. An expanded Gelson’s Super Market will open later this year, a new “State of the art” 15 screen AMC Movie Theatre with Stadium Seating will open in the Fall of 2005, and a larger Food Court will open in the Summer of 2005. New restaurants and retail shops will all be showcased by a distinctive new design center. This makeover will solidify Century City as the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area. Stores like Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, Dooney & Burke, Coach, and Tourneau will continue to provide shoppers with the an incredible shopping experience.

The Makeover Of The Century

Development Update JULY – AUGUST 2004

The existing parking entrance towards the west-side of Constellation leading to Gelson’s The Supermarket and the Shoppingtown have now closed to allow excavation work to commence on the site that will be the new 15 screen AMC movie theatre. A new temporary entrance to Gelson’s and the parking garage has been opened approximately 100 feet east on Constellation Blvd. Customers requiring access to Gelson’s and the Shoppingtown garage should now enter and exit through this new temporary entrance. Pedestrians should enter the Shoppingtown via Macy’s and access Gelson’s via the excalators next to Tourneau.

Demolition work on the two existing retail buildings on the west-side of the Shoppingtown is now complete. In addition, over half of the 150 columns in the parking garage that require strengthening to support the second level of retail have also been completed. The remaining column work will continue over the next few months as work begins on preparing the first level of retail for steel erection later this year. To facilitate this work, several retailers will temporarily relocate within the Shoppingtown (Coach, The Body Shop, Horton & Converse, Century City Optometry and Great Earth Vitamins). Please visit the Shopping Concierge center for exact locations. Please note that due to federal security guidelines, the US Post Office was unable to secure a temporary location. The Post Office will close at the end of July for a few months and reopen in their new space for the holiday season. 

For more information about the Makeover of the Century please call the Redevelopment Hotline 877-276-7000 or visit their website at www.westfield.com.