This story is happening on the other coast, but I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Imagine pulling into what used to be your childhood shopping mall and instead of finding a food court, a Macy's, and teenagers wandering around on a Friday night, you find an entire neighborhood.
That's exactly what's happening in Westminster, California, where the former Westminster Mall is being demolished and replaced by a massive mixed-use development called Bolsa Pacific. The project is expected to include more than 2,200 homes, retail space, restaurants, a hotel, walking trails, and open public areas.
And my first reaction?
Could you imagine living there?
For anyone who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, or early 2000s, shopping malls weren't just places to shop. They were where you met friends, went on awkward first dates, got your ears pierced, bought your first CD, and spent entire Saturdays wandering around with absolutely no plan.
Now many of those same malls are becoming housing developments.
I think it makes sense.
You already know this .. the old model of giant enclosed malls is disappearing. Online shopping changed everything, and many malls have struggled to stay relevant for years. Westminster Mall officially closed in 2025 before demolition began this year.
But here's the interesting part:
Developers aren't just building apartment buildings.
They're trying to create entirely new downtowns.
Bolsa Pacific is being designed as an 83-acre walkable community with homes, shops, restaurants, open space, and gathering areas. The goal is to turn a struggling retail property into a neighborhood where people can live, work, dine, and socialize without needing to drive everywhere.
As a real estate agent, I find this fascinating because it raises some big questions.
Would you buy a home there?
Would you love the convenience too?
Would you love being able to walk downstairs to grab coffee, dinner, groceries, or meet friends?
Or would you worry about density, traffic, and living in what was once a food court, haha?
Is this the future of suburban real estate?
We're seeing versions of this all over the country.
Old malls are becoming mixed-use communities. Office parks are being converted into residential developments. Former retail centers are turning into walkable neighborhoods.
In many ways, it's a response to what buyers say they want today:
- Walkability
- Community
- Convenience
- More housing options
Sound familiar?
Those same conversations are happening here in the Northeast, too.
My Take
I do still remember when malls felt like destinations.
But another part of me thinks these redevelopments are incredibly smart. If done well, they can create vibrant neighborhoods that actually bring people together instead of leaving massive empty buildings sitting vacant for years. I LOVE the idea. I've also lived in the city for most of my life and love the convenience of city life where everything is at your fingertips. I would likely do it.
What Do You Think?
Would you live in a community built on the site of a former shopping mall?
Would it feel innovative?
Or would it feel strange knowing your living room sits where the food court used to be?
Reach and let me know your thoughts, I'd genuinely love to hear them.
And if you're buying, selling, or investing in California real estate, I can help connect you with trusted local agents and resources there, just as I do for clients in New York and New Jersey.
Lecz Go.
Photo Credit: Instagram/architects_orange
