The Grove at Farmers Market
An outdoor retail, dining, entertainment, and event complex connected to Los Angeles's historic Farmers Market.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Grove at Farmers Market is a large outdoor retail and entertainment complex in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California. It occupies approximately 25 acres and contains about 575,000 square feet of retail and public space. The development is directly associated with the historic Farmers Market, a long-established Los Angeles food destination, and is owned by Caruso, the privately held real-estate company founded by Rick Caruso. The complex was developed on land that had previously included surface parking, an orchard, a nursery, and the remaining portions of a former dairy-farm property associated with A. F. Gilmore. Its creation followed several earlier proposals for a much larger commercial and entertainment development involving the Gilmore property and neighboring CBS Television City. Those proposals attracted opposition because of their scale, potential effects on traffic, and possible disruption to the existing Farmers Market and surrounding neighborhood. The eventual project was substantially reduced and redesigned, with Caruso Affiliated becoming the development partner in 1998. Construction began in 1999, and The Grove opened in March 2002. The Grove is organized around a central park, landscaped walkways, plazas, courtyards, and an animated fountain. Its architecture uses a deliberately nostalgic Los Angeles vocabulary, including Art Deco-inspired façades and references to historic commercial districts. Critics have also argued that the inward-facing design prioritizes visitors arriving by car and does not connect sufficiently with nearby streets, apartments, Pan Pacific Park, and surrounding businesses. A large parking structure was built to serve automobile-oriented access. Its tenant and attraction mix has included major national retailers, restaurants, a cinema, entertainment venues, and seasonal programming. Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble have been prominent anchors. Other tenants over time have included Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew, Maggiano's Little Italy, FAO Schwarz, American Girl, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, Topshop, and Topman. The property has also hosted television production and live events. The entertainment program included the tabloid television program Extra from 2010 to 2013 and fall-finale events for Dancing with the Stars from 2015 through 2017. A trolley system using electric-powered vehicles links The Grove with the adjacent Farmers Market. The central fountain, designed by WET, presents recurring choreographed water shows, while the surrounding lawn and public areas are used for performances, ceremonies, and gatherings. The complex is particularly known for its annual Christmas tree, typically more than 100 feet tall, along with a seasonal tree-lighting event and scheduled artificial snowfall during the holiday period. The Grove's operating history reflects the changing economics of destination retail. FAO Schwarz's bankruptcy led to the closure of its early store at the property; American Girl opened in the space in 2006. Abercrombie & Fitch closed its flagship location in 2015, and Nike subsequently opened a flagship store there. The original cinema plan involved Pacific Theatres and the proposed first ArcLight multiplex, but Pacific withdrew during development. Caruso financed the cinema itself and later sold it to Pacific Theatres. After Pacific Theatres ceased operations in 2021 amid the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, AMC Theatres acquired the lease for the cinema location at The Grove. The property was also damaged during protests in May 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, prompting a public response from Rick Caruso that expressed support for the protesters' cause while criticizing the handling of violence and property damage by city officials.
History
The site of The Grove forms part of the historic A. F. Gilmore property, whose earlier agricultural uses included a dairy farm, orchard, and nursery. By the late twentieth century, the property contained surface parking and older commercial structures near Farmers Market and CBS Television City. The location became the subject of repeated proposals for a large-scale business, retail, and entertainment project. In 1984, A. F. Gilmore and CBS Television City engaged Olympia & York California Equities Corp. to study a development that would have been roughly twice the size of Universal City and would have required the removal of existing structures at both Farmers Market and CBS. The proposal encountered opposition from the City of Los Angeles and nearby residents and was eventually abandoned. A subsequent planning effort was commissioned in 1986 from Urban Investment & Development Co. of Chicago. In 1989, Gilmore announced a proposed $300 million shopping complex adjacent to Farmers Market, with JMB/Urban Development of Chicago as manager. The initial concept contemplated May Company California, Nordstrom, and J. W. Robinson's as anchors, together with more than 100 additional stores. The proposal was later reduced to two anchors. The project continued to evolve during the 1990s, amid concerns about traffic, neighborhood scale, and the effect of a new destination center on existing shopping areas such as the Beverly Center. A further reduced plan was announced in 1998, when Caruso Affiliated became the development partner. The eventual proposal covered approximately 25 acres and was described as a $100 million project. Demolition of an antiques alley and other older structures on Third Street behind CBS Television City began before groundbreaking in 1999. Nordstrom committed in 2001 to a roughly 122,000-square-foot store. Other early commitments included FAO Schwarz, Banana Republic, Gap, Barnes & Noble, J. Crew, Maggiano's Little Italy, and a planned 14-screen cinema. The Grove opened in March 2002 after delays. Its design was developed in-house by David Williams of Caruso Affiliated Holdings with KMD Architects of San Francisco. The architectural concept drew on historic Los Angeles districts, using broad plazas, landscaped shopping lanes, courtyards, and Art Deco-influenced façades. The result was an outdoor, themed environment with a large parking structure intended to accommodate visitors arriving by car. Some critics praised the visual coherence and public-space quality, while others argued that the complex turned inward and connected poorly with Fairfax Avenue, Third Street, Pan Pacific Park, nearby apartments, and independent surrounding businesses. The original cinema plan was expected to be developed by Pacific Theatres as its first ArcLight multiplex. Pacific withdrew at the last stage and instead pursued ArcLight Hollywood. Caruso financed the cinema's construction and sold the completed facility after ten months of successful operation; Pacific Theatres submitted the highest bid, reported as $30 million in the cited reference material. The Grove's tenant mix changed over time. FAO Schwarz became an early retail casualty after its parent company entered bankruptcy in 2004, and American Girl replaced the store in April 2006. Banana Republic moved to a new space in 2013, with Topshop and Topman occupying the former location. Abercrombie & Fitch closed its flagship in February 2015, and Nike opened a flagship store there in September of that year. The complex also developed a role as a media and events venue. Extra filmed at The Grove from 2010 to 2013, generally on the lawn. From late 2015 through late 2017, the property hosted fall-finale events for Dancing with the Stars. The central lawn, fountain, and public spaces continue to support live shows and seasonal programming. The Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and nightly holiday displays, including scheduled artificial snowfall in more recent years, became recurring features of the property's identity. In May 2020, The Grove was damaged during protests connected with the killing of George Floyd. Rick Caruso responded with an open letter that supported the underlying cause of the demonstrations but criticized city officials over the prevention of violence and property damage. In 2021, Pacific Theatres permanently stopped operating after the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. AMC Theatres acquired the lease for the cinema at The Grove, as well as the lease for the cinema at Caruso's Americana at Brand. The Grove remains an active Los Angeles destination centered on retail, dining, entertainment, public events, and its physical and operational connection to Farmers Market. Its history illustrates the transformation of a contested urban redevelopment site into a privately developed, experience-oriented shopping complex.
- 2021
AMC takes over cinema lease
[1]AMC Theatres acquired the lease after Pacific Theatres ceased operations.
- 2020
Property damaged during protests
[1]The Grove sustained damage during May protests following the killing of George Floyd.
- 2015
Nike flagship replaces Abercrombie & Fitch
[1]Abercrombie & Fitch closed its flagship in February, and Nike opened a replacement flagship in September.
- 2010
Extra begins filming at the complex
[1]The television program Extra used the property as a recurring production location through 2013.
- 2006
American Girl opens
[1]American Girl opened in the former FAO Schwarz space in April.
- 2004
FAO Schwarz exits after parent-company bankruptcy
[1]FAO Schwarz became one of the property's early tenant closures after its parent company entered bankruptcy.
- 2002
The Grove opens
[1]The complex opened in March with retail, restaurants, a cinema, public spaces, and a trolley connection to Farmers Market.
- 2001
Nordstrom signs as a major anchor
[1]Nordstrom committed to a roughly 122,000-square-foot store, while other initial tenants also joined the project.
- 1999
Construction begins
[1]Demolition and groundbreaking began for the retail and entertainment complex.
- 1998
Caruso Affiliated joins the reduced project
[1]A smaller 25-acre development proposal associated with Caruso Affiliated became the basis for The Grove.
Products and positioning
A destination lifestyle center combining upscale and mainstream national retail, restaurants, public-space programming, entertainment, and an intentionally theatrical Los Angeles setting. The Grove is positioned as an experience-led shopping and leisure destination rather than a conventional enclosed mall.
Specialty and department-store retail · 2002
Retail stores
The Grove houses a rotating portfolio of national retail brands in fashion, beauty, books, toys, lifestyle, and sporting goods. Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble have been major anchors, while the tenant history also includes Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew, FAO Schwarz, American Girl, Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, Topshop, and Topman. The mix has changed as brands have closed, relocated, or been replaced.
Food and beverage · 2002
Dining and Farmers Market restaurants
Dining is a core part of the destination, spanning restaurants and food vendors connected with The Grove and the adjacent Farmers Market. The cited reference describes approximately 28 Farmers Market restaurants representing American, Mexican, Asian and Pacific, Brazilian, Cajun, French, Greek and Middle Eastern, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and seafood cuisines.
Entertainment · 2002
AMC cinema location
The complex includes a cinema facility that was initially planned with Pacific Theatres as a proposed ArcLight multiplex. After Pacific withdrew from the original development arrangement, Caruso financed construction and later sold the facility to Pacific. AMC acquired the lease in 2021 after Pacific Theatres stopped operating.
Public-space attraction · 2002
Central fountain and public park
The Grove's central park and animated fountain form the visual center of the complex. The fountain, designed by WET, presents recurring choreographed water shows, while the adjacent lawn is used for live performances, ceremonies, and other public programming. The property also contains The Spirit of Los Angeles statue and an electric trolley connection to Farmers Market.
Seasonal attraction
Christmas tree and holiday program
The Grove installs a large Christmas tree in mid-November and lights it nightly through the holiday season. The tree is commonly more than 100 feet tall. More recent holiday programming has included an evening winter effect with artificial snowfalls at scheduled times through Christmas Eve.
Guest transportation · 2002
Electric trolley service
An internal electric-powered trolley system links The Grove with the adjacent Farmers Market, reinforcing the two destinations' shared visitor experience and providing a distinctive mobility feature within the complex.
Controversies
2020
Property damage during George Floyd protests
The Grove was damaged during protests in May 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. Rick Caruso publicly expressed support for the demonstrators' cause while criticizing the handling of violence and damage affecting The Grove and nearby small businesses.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Dancing with the Stars fall-finale events
United States
The Grove hosted fall-finale events for Dancing with the Stars from November 2015 through November 2017.
Outcome. The events extended the complex's role beyond shopping into television-linked live entertainment.
- Annual Christmas tree lighting
Los Angeles
The Grove's annual tree-lighting ceremony introduces its holiday season and is followed by nightly illumination of a large Christmas tree.
Outcome. The ceremony and related holiday programming became recurring seasonal attractions associated with the destination.
- Winter wonderland snowfall
Los Angeles
During the Christmas period, the property has used scheduled artificial snowfall and holiday decorations to create a winter-themed visitor experience.
Outcome. The program strengthened The Grove's positioning as a seasonal entertainment destination.
Brand decisions
2021
Transfer the cinema lease to AMCM&ABackground
Pacific Theatres permanently ceased operations after the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Action taken
AMC Theatres acquired the lease for the cinema at The Grove in July 2021.
Aftermath
The cinema site remained associated with a major national theater operator despite the exit of Pacific Theatres.
- AMC Theatres — AMC acquired the lease and succeeded Pacific Theatres at the location.
2015
Replace Abercrombie & Fitch with NikeStrategyBackground
Abercrombie & Fitch closed its flagship store at The Grove in February 2015.
Action taken
The space was replaced by a Nike flagship store, which opened in September 2015.
Aftermath
The change shifted a prominent site toward athletic and performance-oriented retail.
2006
Replace FAO Schwarz with American GirlStrategyBackground
FAO Schwarz's parent company entered bankruptcy, leaving a major retail space vacant.
Action taken
American Girl opened in the former FAO Schwarz space in April 2006.
Aftermath
The replacement maintained a prominent specialty-toy presence at the complex.
2002
Self-fund and later sell the cinemaStrategyBackground
Pacific Theatres withdrew from the planned cinema arrangement and chose to build ArcLight Hollywood instead.
Action taken
Caruso financed construction of the cinema itself and sold the completed facility after ten months of operation.
Aftermath
Pacific Theatres submitted the highest bid and operated the cinema until it ceased operations in 2021.
Reported sale price. $30 million (After ten months of operation)
- Pacific Theatres — Pacific Theatres made the highest bid and acquired the cinema.
2001
Secure Nordstrom as an anchor tenantOtherBackground
The redesigned project required major retail anchors to establish a destination shopping center.
Action taken
Nordstrom agreed to develop a roughly 122,000-square-foot store, alongside other announced retailers and restaurants.
Aftermath
Nordstrom became one of The Grove's principal anchor stores when the complex opened.
1998
Adopt a smaller Caruso-led development planStrategyBackground
Earlier proposals for the site were criticized for their scale, traffic implications, and potential disruption to Farmers Market and neighboring properties.
Action taken
The project was substantially reduced to a roughly 25-acre retail and entertainment complex, with Caruso Affiliated as the development partner.
Aftermath
The revised concept became The Grove and opened in 2002.
Reported project cost. $100 million (1998 proposal)
Sources2 sources
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