Burbank Town Center
A three-level shopping mall and open-air retail complex in downtown Burbank, California.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Burbank Town Center is a large shopping complex in downtown Burbank, California. The property combines a three-level enclosed mall with an open-air shopping plaza and has served as one of the principal retail destinations in the San Fernando Valley. It opened in August 1991 under the name Media City Center, following more than a decade of changing redevelopment proposals for a vacant tract at the northern end of Burbank's former Golden Mall. The development was intended to transform a sizable underused parcel into a major downtown commercial and mixed-use project. Earlier plans included a five-anchor mall promoted by developer Ernst Hahn, but financial difficulties and the withdrawal of prospective anchor Robinsons caused the Burbank Towncenter proposal to collapse in 1987. The Walt Disney Company was briefly involved in later plans, but withdrew as development costs increased. In 1989, the city transferred the project to European mall developer Haagen Co., which proceeded with a substantially revised scheme. IKEA became the first retailer to open on the site in late 1990, ahead of the enclosed mall. The mall itself opened for a preview on August 21, 1991, with approximately 20 of a planned 130 stores operating, alongside Sears and Mervyn's. The original development program also contemplated a food court, movie theater, hotel, office buildings, and a satellite branch of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Some of these planned components were delayed or did not materialize as originally announced. Occupancy reached roughly 60 percent by November 1991, when a four-screen AMC theater opened. Bullock's opened in September 1992 with a large promotional celebration. In 1996, Bullock's stores were converted to the Macy's name, establishing Macy's as a continuing major anchor. The complex later experienced changing retail conditions, including the closure of Mervyn's in 2008 and the arrival of Burlington Coat Factory in the former Mervyn's space in 2010. Ashley HomeStore was also announced for an external anchor space previously occupied by Circuit City. The property was sold to Crown Realty for $110 million in March 2003. Extensive remodeling plans were announced later that year, including a design by Omniplan and a greater use of stone and other natural materials. Amid concerns about declining sales and the mall's market perception, the owners considered a new identity. The property adopted the name Burbank Town Center in late 2004. IKEA closed its location on February 4, 2017, shortly before a larger standalone IKEA opened about a mile away. In January 2018, a $350 million redevelopment proposal was announced for the former IKEA building, involving smaller retail spaces, hotel rooms, and apartments, together with a separate $60 million renovation program for the existing mall. The reference material does not establish the full implementation status of that proposal. Sears, one of the original opening-day anchors, announced in 2022 that it would close its Burbank Town Center store. The location closed on December 18, 2022, reopened with only two of its three floors in October 2023, and was later announced for another closure on August 31, 2025. The complex remains active and continues to combine national retailers, food and entertainment uses, and a location close to Burbank's major film and television studios. Its proximity to The Burbank Studios, Warner Bros. Studios, the Warner Bros. Ranch, and Walt Disney Studios has also made it a recurring filming location, including use of the former IKEA building for the Netflix game show Floor Is Lava in 2020.
History
Burbank Town Center developed from a long-running effort to redevelop downtown Burbank. From 1967 to 1989, San Fernando Boulevard operated as the pedestrian-oriented Golden Mall between Tujunga Avenue and Magnolia Boulevard. A vacant tract of about 40 acres at the northern end of the area became the focus of repeated commercial-development proposals. Developer Ernst Hahn proposed a five-anchor downtown mall as early as 1979. Financial difficulties later forced the plan to be reduced to a project called Burbank Towncenter, but that proposal collapsed in 1987 after prospective anchor Robinsons withdrew. The Walt Disney Company was briefly connected with plans for a large shopping center, although those plans were abandoned by 1988 as projected costs rose. In 1989, the city handed the project to European mall developer Haagen Co., which advanced a revised development. IKEA was the first retailer to open on the site, in late 1990. The store attracted approximately 146,000 visitors during its first six days and preceded the opening of the enclosed mall. At that point construction had begun, while Bullock's was the only publicly announced anchor for the developing center. Plans also referred to four office buildings and a hotel, and in February 1991 the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County announced a proposed $2 million, 12,500-square-foot satellite branch at the property. A Buffums department store had also been contemplated, but that chain failed in early 1991. The mall held a preview opening on August 21, 1991, with roughly 20 of an intended 130 stores operating. Sears and Mervyn's were among the opening anchors. The broader first-phase plan included a food court, movie theater, hotel, office space, and a museum branch, although the museum opening was later pushed from 1992 into 1993 and the reference material does not confirm that it opened. By November 1991, occupancy had reached approximately 60 percent, and a four-screen AMC theater had opened. Bullock's opened on September 2, 1992, during a public celebration that included a parade and appearances by performers associated with television programs. In 1996, Bullock's stores were converted to Macy's, giving the mall a department-store anchor that remained part of its later identity. The property subsequently experienced the churn typical of large American malls. Mervyn's closed in 2008 when the chain ceased operations, while Burlington Coat Factory entered the former Mervyn's space in 2010. Ashley HomeStore was also announced for an exterior anchor space left vacant by Circuit City's 2008 closure. Crown Realty bought the mall in March 2003 for $110 million. The new ownership announced a substantial remodeling program in August of that year, with Dallas-based Omniplan responsible for a design emphasizing stone and other natural materials. The owners also discussed changing the property's name because of what they described as a perception problem associated with weak sales. The center adopted the Burbank Town Center name in late 2004. IKEA closed on February 4, 2017, shortly before a larger standalone IKEA opened about a mile away on February 8. In January 2018, a redevelopment proposal valued at $350 million was announced for the former IKEA building. The concept called for smaller retail units, hotel rooms, and apartments, while a separate $60 million program was intended to renovate the existing mall. The available reference material does not document whether all elements of the proposal were completed. Sears announced in September 2022 that it would close its Burbank Town Center store. The December 18, 2022 closure made it the last original opening-day anchor to leave. The location reopened in October 2023 using two of its three floors, but another closure was announced on July 23, 2025, for August 31. The mall remains an active retail and entertainment complex. Its location among Burbank's film and television facilities has also made it useful as a production setting; in 2020, the former IKEA building was used for Netflix's Floor Is Lava.
- 2025
Further Sears closure announced
[1]A July announcement schedules another closure of the Sears operation for August 31.
- 2023
Sears partially reopens
[1]The Sears space reopens in October with two floors in use.
- 2022
Sears closes its original location
[1]Sears closes the store on December 18, ending the operation of the last original opening-day anchor.
- 2018
Former IKEA redevelopment proposed
[1]A mixed-use redevelopment and broader mall renovation program are announced.
- 2017
IKEA closes
[1]The original IKEA store closes before the nearby larger replacement opens.
- 2010
Burlington opens
[1]Burlington occupies the former Mervyn's space.
- 2008
Mervyn's closes
[1]Mervyn's exits the mall as the chain closes its remaining operations.
- 2004
Property renamed Burbank Town Center
[1]The former Media City Center adopts its current name.
- 2003
Crown Realty acquisition
[1]Crown Realty purchases the mall and announces plans for a major physical renovation.
- 1996
Bullock's converts to Macy's
[1]The department-store anchor adopts the Macy's name.
Products and positioning
A regional shopping and entertainment destination serving Burbank and nearby San Fernando Valley communities, with a mix of department stores, value-oriented retail, specialty stores, services, and entertainment.
Department store · 1996
Macy's
Macy's is a major department-store anchor offering apparel, accessories, beauty products, home goods, and other general merchandise. The Burbank location dates from the property's Bullock's era and became a Macy's store through the 1996 conversion of Bullock's locations.
Off-price department store · 2010
Burlington
Burlington is a value-oriented retailer selling discounted apparel, accessories, home furnishings, and household merchandise. It opened at Burbank Town Center in 2010 in the space formerly occupied by Mervyn's.
Entertainment venue
ROUND1 Bowling & Amusement
ROUND1 Bowling & Amusement is an entertainment anchor combining bowling and arcade-oriented amusement activities. Its presence broadens the center's offer beyond conventional shopping and supports evening and family-oriented visits.
Office-supply retailer
Office Depot
Office Depot anchors the open-air shopping plaza and provides office supplies, business services, technology products, furniture, and related general merchandise.
Department store · 1991
Sears
Sears was one of the mall's original opening-day anchors. Its store closed in December 2022, reopened in October 2023 with two floors operating, and was subsequently announced for another closure in 2025.
Brand decisions
2022
Close the original Sears operationOtherBackground
Sears announced that its Burbank Town Center store would close, making it the last original opening-day anchor affected by the decision.
Action taken
The store closed on December 18, 2022.
Aftermath
The location reopened in October 2023 with two floors in use, before another closure was announced for August 31, 2025.
2018
Propose mixed-use redevelopment of the former IKEA buildingStrategyBackground
IKEA had closed after a larger nearby store opened, leaving a substantial former anchor building available for reuse.
Action taken
A $350 million redevelopment plan was announced for smaller retail spaces, hotel rooms, and apartments, together with a separate $60 million program to renovate the mall.
Aftermath
The reference material does not establish the extent to which the redevelopment and renovation proposals were completed.
Announced redevelopment and renovation values. $350 million redevelopment proposal plus $60 million mall renovation program (Announced January 2018)
2004
Rename the property as Burbank Town CenterStrategyBackground
After Crown Realty acquired the mall and announced remodeling plans, ownership expressed concern about declining sales and a negative perception associated with the existing identity, Media City Center.
Action taken
The property was renamed Burbank Town Center in late 2004 as part of a broader effort to reposition the shopping complex.
Aftermath
The new name remains the property's current identity. The available reference material does not quantify the commercial effect of the change.
Sources2 sources
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