The new Bella Terra (formerly the Huntington Beach Mall) has become an instant success with the grand opening of numerous restaurants and the Century 20 Theatre. Stores such as REI and Cost Plus have been open since Fall 2005. A huge 1,540-space parking structure is now open, providing easy access to both the theatre and  restaurants.  Take a daytime or evening stroll and you'll be amazed how the mall space has been transformed into an updated Italian-themed property that's mostly outdoors instead of inside.  The recent trend of converting indoor shopping malls to open-air, retail-entertainment districts in Southern California has reached the beach. 

Kohl's, a Wisconsin-based department store, opened in March 2003 in the shell of the former Broadway department store. Formerly called the Huntington Beach Center, the $170 million Bella Terra will open next spring on the same 63-acre site (photo by Greg Aragon).
Similar re-use projects have been completed this decade in Pasadena'the $225 million Paseo Colorado'and in Sherman Oaks'the $100 million Galleria. The open-air centers take advantage of Southern California's mild year-round climate and an opportunity to engage thoughtful landscape architecture with themed, outdoor retail.

Wisconsin-based Kohl's opened a store in March 2003 in the two-story shell of the former Broadway department store. Burlington Coat Factory and Mervyn's are open, offering the same great prices and value merchandise shoppers have known for years.

Bella Terra comprises 800,000 sq. ft. of retail'including a 20-screen, 80,000-sq.-ft. Century Theatres complex'and a 1,540-space parking structure.

Venice-based Jerde Partnership was the master plan architect. Long Beach-based Perkowitz + Ruth is the executive architect; LA. Group is the landscape architect. Dolan Construction is the general contractor for retail core-and-shell work.

"What's happening now with all retail is that owners are more sensitive to demographics in that particular area'they're asking, 'what do they really need''" Wayne Pettigrew, project manager for J.H. Snyder, said as he a few feet from a small mountain of debris and a row of stores being demolished.

Rendering of Bella Terra retail and restaurant village in Huntington Beach. The open-air complex replaces the former Huntington Beach Center, an enclosed mall that opened in 1966. Bella Terra is a $170 million development.
The mall's demise began in earnest when major tenant Montgomery Ward went out of business in the past decade. Burlington Coat Factory took over the building vacated by May Co. and will initiate its own re-design this year.

A Tuscan village-inspired Bella Terra (the name means "beautiful earth" in Italian) contains 71 shops and restaurants, including California Pizza Kitchen.

Romano's Macaroni Grill is a current tenant. Bed, Bath & Beyond, REI (a sporting goods store),  Circuit City, Staples and Barnes & Noble are some of the shops you'll enjoy on the north side of Huntington Beach near the 405 San Diego Freeway Beach Boulevard exit. 

Decor includes limestone, tile and other materials in natural colors will be used on the facades of the new and existing buildings, which will undergo a facelift to fit with the new Tuscan Village motif.