(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.
