Westminster Mall (California)
A former enclosed shopping mall in Westminster, California, that operated from 1974 until its closure in 2025.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Westminster Mall was an enclosed regional shopping center at the intersection of Bolsa Avenue and Goldenwest Street in Westminster, Orange County, California. Developed by Homart Development Company, the mall opened on August 7, 1974, with May Company, Sears, and Buffum's as its initial department-store anchors. J. W. Robinson's joined the complex in 1975, giving the center four major anchors during its formative period. The mall was designed as a large suburban retail destination serving Westminster and surrounding communities in central Orange County. The center's anchor lineup changed substantially over the following decades as department-store companies consolidated and individual chains disappeared. Buffum's was liquidated in 1991. The May Company and Robinson's operations were subsequently reorganized under the Robinsons-May name, while a former Robinson's building was converted into a JCPenney in 1993. A former Buffum's location became a Robinsons-May Home Store before being demolished for a new Macy's store in 2002. After Federated Department Stores acquired Robinsons-May in 2006, Macy's took over the Robinsons-May department-store location and the former Macy's space was converted to Target. Old Navy was also added during the mall's later expansion and repositioning. Westminster Mall underwent a significant renovation in 2008. The work relocated the mall's carousel and created a children's play area near JCPenney; the renovated center reopened on November 15 of that year. Ownership and management arrangements later changed. Washington Prime Group was spun off from Simon Property Group in 2014 and assumed management responsibilities for the mall by 2016. Sears's ownership interest in its store property was transferred to Seritage Growth Properties in 2015, reflecting the broader restructuring of traditional department-store real estate. The mall entered a prolonged period of decline during the late 2010s and early 2020s. Retail closures, reduced department-store traffic, the growth of e-commerce, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic weakened sales and occupancy. Sears closed in April 2018, removing the last of the original anchor stores. Other notable departures included Gymboree and Crazy 8 in 2017, John's Incredible Pizza in 2022, and Spencer Gifts, one of the mall's longest-standing tenants, by 2024. In 2023, Westminster approved a redevelopment concept that would replace portions of the enclosed mall with a mixed-use project combining housing, lodging, and retail. Macy's announced its closure in January 2025 and ceased operations in March. JCPenney later announced that it would close in November 2025. The mall formally closed on October 29, 2025, when leases for its remaining tenants expired; Target was reported as the only anchor expected to remain operating for a period after the mall's broader closure. Following abandonment, the property experienced trespassing, vandalism, graffiti, and extensive damage, prompting increased police activity and site security measures. Shopoff Realty Investments acquired the remaining mall property and announced plans for Bolsa Pacific, a redevelopment incorporating mixed-use housing, townhomes, retail, a relocated Target, a hotel, trails, and public green space. Demolition reportedly began in April 2026. Westminster Mall therefore represents the transition of a 1970s-era enclosed regional mall into a planned mixed-use urban development rather than an operating retail brand.
History
The land later occupied by Westminster Mall had previously been associated with a large goldfish farm that moved to the area during the 1920s. Homart Development Company announced plans for a regional shopping center in 1972, and construction began the same year. Architectonics, Inc. designed the main mall structure, while individual department stores used separate architectural teams. C. H. Leavell & Co. served as general contractor. The mall opened on August 7, 1974. Its original anchors were May Company, Sears, and Buffum's. Sears occupied a two-level, approximately 200,000-square-foot building designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The May Company store covered approximately 150,000 square feet on two levels and included a restaurant and cocktail lounge. Buffum's occupied a two-level building of approximately 90,000 square feet designed by Killingsworth, Bradley & Associates. J. W. Robinson's became the fourth anchor in 1975. The first major transformation of the anchor lineup occurred in the early 1990s. Buffum's was liquidated in 1991. In 1993, May Company and Robinson's were combined under the Robinsons-May name. One former Robinson's location closed during the consolidation and was converted to JCPenney, which moved from Huntington Center Mall. The former Buffum's building became a Robinsons-May Home Store, but that structure was demolished in 2002 for a new Macy's. Following Federated Department Stores' acquisition of Robinsons-May in 2006, Macy's occupied the former Robinsons-May location, while the older Macy's space was converted to Target. Old Navy was also introduced to the center. A substantial renovation in 2008 moved the carousel nearer to Sears and replaced its former location with a children's play area near JCPenney. The renovated mall held its grand reopening on November 15. In 2014, Washington Prime Group was separated from Simon Property Group, and management of Westminster Mall transitioned to Washington Prime by March 2016. Sears Holdings later separated ownership of many store properties into Seritage Growth Properties, including its Westminster location. The center's commercial decline accelerated after 2015. Restaurant and specialty-retail changes, national chain closures, the loss of Sears in 2018, online shopping, and pandemic-related business disruption reduced foot traffic and occupancy. John's Incredible Pizza closed in 2022. By 2023, Spencer Gifts was described as the last long-term tenant from the mall's opening era still operating in its original upper-level location, although it was later listed as permanently closed. Westminster approved a redevelopment plan in April 2023. The proposal contemplated retaining or repurposing portions of the main structure while adding housing, lodging, and retail and removing parts of the side wings. Macy's closed in March 2025, and JCPenney announced a November closure later that year. The mall's remaining tenant leases expired on October 29, 2025, marking the end of its retail operation. After closure, the vacant center suffered extensive vandalism and unauthorized entry. Westminster police reported more than 400 calls for service and over 30 arrests related to trespassing and vandalism during the post-closure period described in the reference material. The site was subsequently boarded and fenced. Shopoff Realty Investments acquired the remaining property from Washington Prime Group and advanced the Bolsa Pacific redevelopment concept, which includes mixed-use housing, townhomes, retail, a relocated Target, hotel facilities, green space, and walking trails. Demolition was reported to have started on April 15, 2026.
- 2026
Bolsa Pacific redevelopment advances
[1]Shopoff Realty Investments announced a mixed-use replacement project and demolition of the former mall began in April.
- 2025
Mall closes
[1]Macy's closed in March, JCPenney closed in November, and the mall's remaining leases expired on October 29.
- 2023
City approves redevelopment plan
[1]Westminster approved a plan for mixed-use housing, lodging, and retail at the mall site.
- 2018
Sears closes
[1]The mall's final original anchor to close was Sears, which shut in April.
- 2014
Washington Prime Group spins off from Simon
[1]Washington Prime Group was separated from Simon Property Group and became associated with the mall's ownership structure.
- 2008
Renovation and grand reopening
[1]The mall relocated its carousel and added a play area before reopening on November 15.
- 2006
Macy's assumes Robinsons-May locations
[1]After Federated acquired Robinsons-May, Macy's moved into the former Robinsons-May location and the former Macy's space became Target.
- 2002
New Macy's building replaces former home-store site
[1]The former Robinsons-May Home Store structure was demolished and replaced by a Macy's store.
- 1993
Robinsons-May and JCPenney changes
[1]The May Company and Robinson's stores were reorganized under Robinsons-May, while a former Robinson's building became a JCPenney.
- 1991
Buffum's liquidates
[1]Buffum's closed during the chain's liquidation.
Products and positioning
A traditional suburban regional shopping mall serving Westminster and nearby Orange County communities, with a broad department-store, specialty-retail, dining, and entertainment mix. In its final years it was repositioned through redevelopment planning as a site for mixed-use housing, retail, lodging, and public amenities.
Shopping mall · 1974
Enclosed regional shopping center
Westminster Mall provided enclosed retail space for department stores, specialty shops, restaurants, services, and entertainment venues. Its principal function was to serve as a regional shopping destination for Westminster and neighboring Orange County communities.
Department stores · 1974
Department-store anchor portfolio
The mall's anchor portfolio included May Company, Sears, Buffum's, J. W. Robinson's, Robinsons-May, Macy's, JCPenney, and Target at different points in its history. These stores supplied apparel, home goods, beauty products, electronics, and general merchandise.
Entertainment and leisure · 1974
Family amenities and entertainment
The mall offered amenities such as a carousel, a children's play area, restaurants, a buffet venue, and family entertainment businesses. These features were intended to increase dwell time and complement conventional retail shopping.
Brand decisions
2026
Bolsa Pacific redevelopmentStrategyBackground
Shopoff Realty Investments acquired the remaining property and sought to replace the obsolete mall format with a mixed-use project.
Action taken
The proposed Bolsa Pacific project includes housing, townhomes, retail, a relocated Target, a hotel, green space, and walking trails.
Aftermath
Demolition of the former mall reportedly began in April 2026, with the site transitioning from enclosed retail to mixed-use development.
2025
Closure of the enclosed mallStrategyBackground
The center lost major anchors and remaining tenant leases reached expiration as redevelopment plans progressed.
Action taken
Westminster Mall closed to the public after its remaining leases expired on October 29.
Aftermath
The property became vacant and later required boarding, fencing, and increased police patrols before redevelopment demolition began.
2023
Mixed-use redevelopment approvalStrategyBackground
Declining sales, tenant departures, pandemic disruption, and online shopping reduced the viability of the traditional mall format.
Action taken
The City of Westminster approved a redevelopment framework combining housing, lodging, and retail and allowing portions of the mall to be demolished or repurposed.
Aftermath
The approval established the planning basis for replacing the enclosed mall with a mixed-use district.
2008
Major mall renovationStrategyBackground
The aging enclosed center sought to refresh its customer amenities and internal layout.
Action taken
Management relocated the carousel and built a children's play area near JCPenney, followed by a grand reopening in November.
Aftermath
The renovation temporarily modernized the customer experience, although the mall later faced broader structural challenges affecting enclosed shopping centers.
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