Once a blighted commercial strip Hawthorne Avenue now boasts a piece of Los Angeles history. Hawthorne Plaza a $50 million shopping center transformed this area. This wasn’t just a shopping mall. It was a community project. Years of planning and studies went into it. The Hawthorne City Council worked tirelessly. They aimed to revitalize the area and boost sales tax revenue.
Victor Gruen Associates renowned mall designers created the plans. They envisioned a modern multi-use center. Department stores office buildings a hotel even a theater were included. The design was innovative. It incorporated a two-level floor plan and a unique ‘hanging garden’ concept. Seven-story office towers were built. These housed Ernest W Hahn Inc the general contractor. A 4500-car parking structure was also created. This was the world’s longest at the time. It even accommodated a railway track running through it.
The grand opening in 1977 was a huge success. Thousands attended. Broadway JC Penney and Montgomery Ward opened as anchor stores. Over 100 smaller shops soon followed. A six-screen AMC multiplex and restaurants also joined the complex. The Hawthorne Plaza became a vibrant hub. Shoppers flocked there from miles around. It generated millions in sales tax revenue. This helped lower property taxes for Hawthorne residents.
However the success was short-lived. Economic downturns and crime issues impacted the mall’s popularity. The aerospace industry decline also hit Hawthorne hard. The Plaza eventually faced challenges. Vacancies increased. Eventually even the department stores closed. By 1999 the mall was deserted. Arson further damaged the structure. Now Hawthorne Plaza stands as a reminder of a once bustling center. It represents a grand ambition that succumbed to unforeseen circumstances. Despite its current state Hawthorne Avenue still bears witness to this ambitious chapter in its history.