San Fernando Valley Blog: Village at Westfield Topanga

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Latest Apartment Development Rumor in Woodland Hills

Monday, May 12, 2014 / 2 Comments

Might need to update this image now. Image courtesy Rich Krugel Facebook

Before the Promenade Mall was built, hard to believe it was farmland.

In addition to all of the current apartment and retail development taking place in the Warner Center area of Woodland Hills much discussed on this blog (see image above), another rumor has surfaced that the Promenade mall might possibly be torn down to make way for more apartments. Yes, more apartments!

The rumor comes from a reader at the Daily News published on May 8, 2014 with the following question addressed to Greg Wilcox:

I am a tenant in the AMC theater portion of (the) Promenade — neither Westfield nor AMC tells us anything so I rely on writers like you and LA Curbed to keep up on the latest.

The latest rumor is Westfield is going to tear down the Promenade mall and build apartments — I heard this from 2 other tenants. Have you heard anything like this? Thanks in advance for anything you are able to share.

Greg Wilcox passed on the question to Katy Dickey, Westfield's spokeswoman, who had the following response:

We’re always looking at options and opportunities for 2, 5, 10 years down the road, but focus today is on the Village and operating centers in the Valley.

Now here is the kicker that Greg Wilcox uncovered:

And I found out something else I — and likely a lot of other people — did not know: The Promenade and the mall’s food court and AMC theater complex are actually separate.

“The theater building is owned by EPR (Entertainment Property REIT), but AMC controls/operates building and food court under a master lease w/EPR,” Dickey wrote in a follow-up email.

So lets use logic here, if you know that another competing movie theatre is opening under the Village project along with competing shops, do you fight against the competition when it opens in a year or two or do you maybe cash out to developers and jump on the apartment development trend in Warner Center?

The only positive thing I can see out of this is that more apartments flooding the market should have some downward price pressure for those who need to rent (and these apartments will not be cheap). With all of these units popping up, there has to be a lot of vacancies. Is everybody moving to Warner Center?

Below is a map I created back on April 23, 2012 with the known apartment projects which doesnt include this latest rumor but does include the proposed development at the former Rocketdyne site

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

Warner Center Expansion Goes Into Overdrive

Friday, March 28, 2014 / No Comments

Image courtesy Rich Krugel Facebook

There has been a barrage of Warner Center development news hitting the newswire in the past month which doesnt seem to stop. The latest is the $3 billion conversion of the old Rockedyne site which is nothing new but is becoming closer to fruition. Take into consideration the following:

Westfield drops hotel plans at Village at Wesfield Topanga published on February 28, 2014.
Westfield Village Project Gets $59 Million Tax Break from Los Angeles City Council published on March 4, 2014.
Westfield Village at Topanga in Warner Set for 2015 Opening published on March 6, 2014.
Lawsuit Over The Village at Westfield Topanga Resolved published on March 19, 2014.
Westfield Topanga Breaks Ground on $350 Million Village Project published on March 24, 2014.
Warner Center's Rocketdyne Site Slated for $3 Billion Project published on March 26, 2014.

My favorite articles above are the hotel being dropped and the tax credit. Why would Westfield drop a hotel now? What happened to their previous projections that showed it would work? Isnt more hotels in the area the solution?

And the same with tax credits. Why cant we offer tax credits to manufacturing companies that increase the local GDP and provide high paying jobs? Why is it limited to these retail type corporations that really only hire minimum wage teenagers and a few adult managers?

Moving onto the picture above which I dont know who generated it, is a great picture that really captures all the activity taking place in a very finite area which also highlights the corporate stores already in existence that it begs the question, do we really need more? Is "more" going to really add more jobs or destroy jobs at other areas as people flock to this shopping center behemoth? And are these jobs high paying jobs that can support a family purchasing an average $500K single family home in Winnetka? Remember when this area used to house manufacturing centers along with highly skilled and paid jobs.

This project has been a sensitive area for me that I have been highly critical which I first talked about it in 2011 in one of my very first posts on this blog and continued to provide coverage with each new development. You can read some of those old posts shown below:

My opinion hasnt changed one bit for this project and I continue to question the purpose behind these massive projects and wonder what will happen once completed, to traffic, small businesses, and the massive increase in available housing. Those questions seemed to have already been answered by the City Council, Westfield, and other developers as not being an issue or already resolved. Obviously, at this point, nothing can be done and the projects are full steam ahead. I guess time will only tell to who wins and loses with these projects. But there cant be all winners and somebody will take a hit.

One of the early victims of this project was the old Home Savings Millard Sheets inspired mural by Marlo Bartels and Astrid Preston that was most recently occupied by a Fedex Office store. It was demolished without preservation but I hope I am wrong. If it was completely demolished, than you know that negligence and ignorance has already started. Below you can find a picture of it that I took before razing commenced.

And dont forget all the apartment activity taking place. In addition to the The Village, there will be 2000 new apartment units added which I talked about previously taking place nearby the Orange line, at the former Valley Music Theatre (click here for updated pic), and former Catalina Yachts manufacturing site which are all shown in the map below.

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

Here are some random pictures I found on Facebook of the old Warner Center.

Image courtesy Dean Field Facebook

Image courtesy Gordon Ross Facebook

You can view more SFV Architecture and Real Estate here.

Demolition Underway for The Village at Westfield Topanga

Friday, August 2, 2013 / 2 Comments

Before some of the demo work started. The Topanga Theatre was already gone and replaced by Crate and Barrel. Image courtesy Bing Maps.

In case you havent noticed, demo work is clearly underway at the proposed site of The Village at Westfield Topanga. All buildings that were previously on the site have been torn down except the Crate & Barrel which will be incorporated into The Village at Westfield Topanga. There is supposed to be a lawsuit to stop the construction work by the Woodland Hills Homeowners association but I believe that suit may have been dropped. Does anyone know the current status of the lawsuit?

Demo work has also begun on the other side on Erwin Street where the former Froch's Woodcraft Shop has been demolished located at 21919 Erwin Street.

Image courtesy Tree.com

The one thing that I want to know is what happened to the Millard Sheets inspired mural by Marlo Bartels and Astrid Preston originally designed in 1989 for the Home Savings Bank (shown below) depicting Warner Center and was most recently occupied by FedEx Office? Did Westfield Company destroy this great piece of art without consideration for saving? I hope not.

Also, what is going to happen to the creek at the corner of Victory and Owensmouth?

And here is one bonus. The Rocketdyne site is set to be demolished too to make way for more apartments and other housing/retail stuff. Cant wait to drive through this area!

I have talked at length about this project in the past which I believe was first conceptualized in 2006.

Westfield Begins Preparation for The Village at Topanga

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 / No Comments

In case you missed it back on January 22, the Daily News reported that 'Preliminary Work Begins on The Village at Westfield Topanga in Canoga Park' which surprised the heck out of me that I had to visit this location in person late at night. I was rather shocked considering that the Woodland Hills homeowners filed a lawsuit back on April 16, 2012 which in turn caused the Woodland Hills/Tarzana Chamber of Commerce to kick that group out since the Chamber is huge proponent of this project; really, you dont say!

The good news is that this 'preliminary' work is only to remove trees and no other projects are scheduled at this time. At any rate, big corporations always win (courtesy of fancy dinners with the city council) and I expect this project to proceed as planned. I mean how can anyone say no to this project that is going to bring so much tax revenue and jobs but yet we cant get historical status for Henry's Taco stand in Studio City on top of other historical sites that closed in 2012.

So what concerns me is the fact that there are two items of significance on this site that I believe will be demolished. The first is a cool little creek at the corner of Victory and Owensmouth that you dont normally see in this concrete jungle and I dont think many people walking by even notice.

The second item is a Millard Sheets inspired mural by Marlo Bartels and Astrid Preston designed in 1989 for the Home Savings Bank. There are other examples of these murals throughout the Valley and SoCal as well as the rest of the nation. These are unique pieces of art that you dont see anymore with the 'big box' and strip mall designs. I hope this mural is saved because its a piece of Valley history depicting Woodland Hills back in the late 80's.

My other concerns are the massive apartment development in this tiny area of the West Valley. In addition to the The Village, there will be 2000 new apartment units added which I talked about previously taking place nearby the Orange line, at the former Valley Music Theatre (click here for updated pic), and former Catalina Yachts manufacturing site which are all shown in the map below.

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

Good luck to the significant jump in traffic, the decay of small business, and a glut of available housing!

Below are more pics of the site. I am trying to remember what used to be here which I believe was the Topanga Theatre, Yankee Doodles, Coco's, and Black Angus. I know there were others but I cant remember. Anybody want to chime in?

Image courtesy Google Earth showing October 2007

Another Freaking Apartment Project in Woodland Hills

Thursday, January 17, 2013 / No Comments

Image courtesy CitySearch

Image courtesy Catalina Yachts

Image courtesy Google Maps

Fresh from the folks at The Daily News is word of another apartment development project in Woodland Hills at the former Catalina Yachts manufacturing site. (As a kid growing up, I always wondered why there was a boat manufacturer in Woodland Hills of all places naively thinking that it should be next to the ocean).

Catalina Yachts moved to Florida about two years ago (including well paying jobs) but the company still maintains a sales office on the property.

This new development will bring 600 units in addition to the other apartment development activity currently taking place for those who havent noticed equating to a total of almost close to 2000 units. I discussed the other activity taking place back on April 24, 2012 with a list shown below and this is only for Woodland Hills which doesnt cover the other apartment development activity taking place throughout the SFV.

The Village at Westfield Topanga which will add a Costco, 50 shops, office tower, hotel, and more shops. But there is a pending lawsuit so this could get delayed significantly or even cancelled.
The Panavision site being converted to a 707 unit apartment complex at 6219 De Soto Ave.
A 300 unit apartment complex near Canoga and Vanowen at 6701 Eton Ave.
The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne site may also be developed into 4,000 multifamily units which is currently for sale.
The former Catalina Yachts manufacturing site at 21200 Victory Blvd will be converted into 600 units.

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

Is anybody concerned with the impact to traffic, noise, pollution, overcrowding, parking, and rental demand notwithstanding the loss of jobs as a result of Catalina moving? Heck, lets just bulldoze the Topanga Mall and build more apartments too. The only positive thing about this location is the Orange Line and Warner Center being nearby to aid with this upcoming traffic glut.

Below are more pics of the former Catalina Yachts site. Say goodbye to the three towers reaching for the sky (5th pic down):

The Iconic JC Penny Store in San Fernando Will Close This Saturday

Thursday, July 26, 2012 / 1 Comment

As you have probably already heard by now, the iconic JC Penny store in the city of San Fernando will be closing its doors for good this Saturday, July 28th, 2012 as reported by the Daily News. There have been attempts by locals including the Valley Economic Alliance to try to save this historic site which has been in existence since 1920 which moved only once to a 60,000 sqft building on the corner of San Fernando Road and San Fernando Mission Boulevard in 1953.

You can sign a petition at SaveSanFernandoJCPenny.com which also has support from a fellow San Fernando native George Lopez (who now lives in Toluca Lake). While the efforts to save JC Penny are much appreciated and admired, I doubt anything will change for the two simple reasons that San Fernando itself is slowly deteriorating from a lack of blue collar jobs and overall investment. Additionally the San Fernando Mall is no longer a popular spot as people flock to the indoor malls like the Topanga and Promende Malls both operated by the Westfield Company.

Speaking of investments, compare the San Fernando Mall to the proposed expansion at the Village at Westfield Topanga which is surrounded by big and small stores within a 1 mile radius. These expansions are taking place in the West Valley and not in places like San Fernando which appears to be that investors dont want to pursue any development as evidenced by JC Penny shutting its doors. But who knows, maybe there will be a turning point.

Former Valley Music Theatre Site Will Be Developed; Woodland Hills Turning Into a Hotbed of Development

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 / No Comments

According to the LA Daily News, The Sares Regis Group has begun grading the former Valley Music Theatre and Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall at 20600 Ventura Blvd to build a 340-unit apartment complex dubbed Infinity-Woodland Hills (which I talked about back in June 2011). The new complex will be a four story structure with a central parking facility that will include a club house with a cafe, bar and gourmet kitchen, a two level fitness center, swimming pool, and play area for the children.

My favorite part of the article is, "will offer some residents a nice view of the Target store sign." You know what, I have always wanted to live in a home where I can have a view of the Target sign. My life is now complete knowing I have that chance at the new Infinity complex. But in all seriousness, its sad what has happened to this site and what it will become. I talked at length about this in the post, BTTF #2: Valley Music Theatre (60s-70s), Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall (80s - 2004) which includes many pictures and a detailed history.

So shifting to Woodland Hills in general, there is a hotbed of activity taking place in Woodland Hills and I have no idea why. Is it related to the expansion of the Orange Line Busway to Chatsworth? Which would make you think that Chatsworth would be expanding like crazy. Is the economy finally rebounding? Are people tired of living in homes and want to make the switch to apartments/condo's? Is it the new Village at Topanga which will bring a new Costco? Maybe these business developers know something that I/we dont know. So here is a list of activities taking place?

The Village at Westfield Topanga which will add a Costco, 50 shops, office tower, hotel, and more shops. But there is a pending lawsuit so this could get delayed significantly or even cancelled.
The Panavision site being converted to a 707 unit apartment complex at 6219 De Soto Ave.
A 300 unit apartment complex near Canoga and Vanowen at 6701 Eton Ave.
The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne site may also be developed into 4,000 multifamily units which is currently for sale.

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

So whats the traffic going to be like?

And, is this good or bad for the housing market?

Woodland Hills Homeowners File Lawsuit over Westfield Topanga Village

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 / No Comments

From the Daily News, Woodland Hills Homeowners File Suit Over Village at Westfield, talks about the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization (WHHO) protest of the Village at Westfield Topanga over concerns that the Costco and gas station violate the Warner Center Specific Plan by encouraging car use. I expressed those same concerns back on March 1 under the post, The Village at Westfield Topanga....Hang Onto Your Hats, so its good to know that a leader has emerged to challenge this development. Consequently, the WHHO will lose its membership from the Woodland Hills Chamber Of Commerce. This reminds me of kids fighting.

Also adding to the traffic nightmare is another apartment complex planned for the Panavison facility. The only good news from that story is that Panavision is relocating down the street so we dont lose high-quality jobs. However, the traffic concerns are starting to mount.

Back to the Village story:

Originally, Westfield planned to include condominiums in the development but downsized the project after the real estate market crashed and replacing the residences with the Costco.

That angered the Woodland Hills Homeowners Organization, which questioned opening a big box store in the neighborhood, and sought more urban buildings to encourage pedestrian activity as outlined in the Warner Center Specific Plan.

The typical Costco shopper buys in bulk, according to the suit.

"Buyers will not be able to transport the merchandise purchased at Costco by foot, bicycle, or transit," the suit says.

Things are starting to get exciting. Good luck to the WHHO.

By the way, the Westfield Company has provided the Museum of the San Fernando Valley with retail space to display their artifacts and collections which is a nice gesture considering that they couldnt rent out that space. However, they want to add more shops to the Village. Go figure!

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