Wow, after 18 months and $180 million the revamped Fox Hills Mall Westfield Culver City will be officially unveiled tomorrow. This is a key event for Culver City, and the bean counters in City Hall predict that the revamped facility will bring in over a million dollars a year in additional tax revenue.  This money is sorely needed as tax revenues have really dried up in the city due to the economic downturn.

This great article in the LA Times goes beyond the renovation of the mall and takes a look at the revitalization of Culver City over the past ten years, most notably in Downtown COCC. As for the changes to the mall, the time notes:

What was once a drab exterior now boasts street-front retail and eye-catching design elements.

A former Robinsons-May store, closed in 2006, was renovated. The food court was demolished, and a new upper-level dining terrace, with natural light pouring in through skylights, will open Friday. A BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, part of a fast-growing Huntington Beach-based chain, has opened on the ground level.

Among the anchor stores are a 156,000-square-foot Target with a fresh-produce section, and a 45,000-square-foot Best Buy. JCPenney and Macy’s, fixtures at the 34-year-old center, remain.

About 130 smaller specialty stores and a Gold’s Gym will complete the mix. Coach, H&M, Hollister and XXI Forever are among the hipper or more upscale offerings. Amenities include valet parking with a waterless, “eco-friendly” car wash.

Target and Best Buy join JC Penney as anchors.  Rumor on the street has it that the BJ’s (which opened on Monday) will spew beer from over 30 taps, can’t argue with that.  BJ’s CEO commented in a press release for the company:

We are very excited to open BJ’s 88^th restaurant in our ‘home court’ of Southern California at the newly renovated Fox Hills Mall in Culver City,” commented Jerry Deitchle, Chairman and CEO. “Sales for our first day of operations were very strong. Our new Culver City restaurant exemplifies our planned restaurant expansion for the next few years which will be primarily focused on locations in mature, densely populated trade areas in existing BJ’s markets.

Hopefully we’ll check out the changes soon and let you know what we think!

Popularity: 78%