The Future is Not Bright for Los Angeles Mall

Since nearly the beginning, Los Angeles officials have struggled to make the Los Angeles Mall a success.

Back in 2009, then–City Councilmember Janice Hahn introduced a motion to revive the struggling shopping center, calling it “fragmented, dilapidated, and uninviting,” with poor lighting and uneven walkways. Her description was no surprise to anyone familiar with the space. As early as the late 1980s—less than two decades after it opened—the City had already hired consultants to explore redevelopment ideas and attract tenants. Those attempts, like Hahn’s initiative, ultimately went nowhere. Today, according to a recent Municipal Facilities Committee report, the situation may be beyond saving.

The Committee, citing a General Services Department study, pointed to chronically low foot traffic and repeated failures to retain food vendors—most recently, a request for proposals that received no bids at all. For the remaining tenants, including California Pita, Quiznos, and Hi Rise Goodies, the customer base consists largely of City employees.

The mall, built in the early 1970s, extends across a block and a half of the Civic Center, bounded by Los Angeles Street and Spring Street. Its below-grade design and location amid government buildings have always limited its appeal, as the area generates little pedestrian traffic outside of weekday business hours. The decline, once gradual, sped up dramatically after the 2020 pandemic disrupted office work. The mall’s anchor tenant, CVS, shut down during that time, followed by several newer shops.

The General Services Department also highlighted the stalled Civic Center Master Plan, which envisioned redeveloping nearby City Hall properties, consolidating offices, and adding housing. Even then, redeveloping the mall would be difficult due to the large underground parking structure beneath it.

Physical deterioration and security concerns have compounded the problem. Between 2018 and 2025, the mall experienced more than 30 leaks, while its empty corridors have invited vandalism. In response, City officials have fenced off the property—reportedly reducing graffiti—and plan to add card readers to control after-hours access.

Rather than pursuing full-scale redevelopment, the City may instead look to reuse vacant space by relocating certain departments or public-facing services into the mall, potentially offsetting its $38 million in annual lease payments elsewhere. Short-term improvements include new signage, wayfinding features, and market umbrellas to make the outdoor seating area more welcoming.

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