A New Vision for Warner Center: Westfield Submits Plans for "The Village at Westfield Topanga"

Vision to feature world class design, lush landscaping, green building technology and community amenities to create a dynamic gathering place

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. (July 17, 2007) -- Today, Westfield submitted its application to the City of Los Angeles for its latest investment in the revitalization of the Warner Center area, “The Village at Westfield Topanga.” Employing smart-growth planning principles along with integrated world-class design, The Village concept envisions a one-of-a-kind family-friendly destination, linking Westfield’s Topanga and Promenade to create a vibrant shopping, dining, living, entertainment and community experience as well as sparking the rejuvenation of a previously underutilized area of Warner Center.   

Open-air plazas, stages, community and cultural uses flanked by 1,000 trees in park-like settings and a variety of new retail, dining and entertainment choices that residents and visitors alike can enjoy are key elements of The Village.  Westfield’s proposed plan represents a reinvestment of more than $700 million.

“Our proposal builds on the tremendous success of the recent revitalization of Westfield Topanga and merges environmentally advanced design methods, world class architecture, and expansive landscaping to create fresh new ways to shop, dine, enjoy, live, visit and work in this area of Warner Center,” said Westfield President Ken Wong.  “The Village is the result of ongoing dialogue with the City, our neighbors and our customers over a period of several years.  We look forward to continuing this outreach and dialogue as we move forward through the environmental review process.”

The Village at Westfield Topanga will be lushly landscaped to create a park-like oasis with 40% open space in the midst of Warner Center, where the public can congregate and enjoy a variety of activities in one centralized location.  Pedestrian walkways winding through beautiful gardens, open air plazas and a newly “greened” Topanga Canyon Boulevard are also part of the plan.  In addition, Westfield will be utilizing green building technology during construction--creating a healthier and more resource-efficient design through alternative sources of energy, environmentally preferable building materials and waste reduction. 

Westfield completed the acquisition of its majority interest in the property -- which covers 31 acres and sits between Westfield Topanga and Promenade -- from the Warner family in 2003.  While existing entitlements for the site have a heavy bent toward office space, Westfield’s proposal reflects community requests for a better balance of uses—decreasing the office component and adding more community-friendly elements and amenities such as event space for open-air concerts, a community/cultural center, new quality retail and dining options.

“Importantly, the Westfield revitalization plan proposes less square footage than existing entitlements and therefore fewer negative impacts, while at the same time providing significantly greater economic benefit to the City,” says Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine who represents Woodland Hills and much of the West San Fernando Valley.

Approximately 2.3 million square feet of ‘mixed use’ space including office, retail, hotel and dwelling units were approved for the site in 1993, with approvals extended in 2005.  The Village proposal envisions approximately 1.6 million square feet.

Zine continued: “I was pleased to see the office component reduced because while a need remains, the demand for office space in Warner Center is not nearly as high as it was 20 years ago.  I am also pleased about Westfield’s commitment to addressing potential traffic and environmental issues.  In addition to funding all necessary and feasible traffic mitigation efforts and incorporating green building technologies, Westfield is exploring pedestrian walkways and energy-efficient trolleys to link The Village to Westfield Topanga and Westfield Promenade as well as a shuttle to the Orange Line.”

“Warner Center has always been an important business center in the City of Los Angeles and this project will transform it into something more – a wonderful new destination for local residents,” commented Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.  “It will be a jewel in the San Fernando Valley.”

Westfield submitted its application for the The Village with the City of Los Angeles on July 17, 2007, which will commence the environmental review and approval process.  In addition to an extensive outreach program by Westfield to receive community input, the plan will be subject to several public hearings before the City throughout the entitlement process.

"Westfield has continually demonstrated its commitment to the West Valley, not only through its recent renovation of Westfield Topanga, but by its ongoing involvement and partnership with local community organizations.  I look forward to working with them on The Village to create a place that our whole community will enjoy and be proud of,” said Zine. 

Contact: Katy Dickey
(310) 445-2407

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The Westfield Group (ASX: WDC), is an Australian-based company with interests in 121 shopping centers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.   The Westfield America portfolio includes 59 shopping centers that are home to more than 9,000 specialty stores and comprise approximately 65 million square feet of leasable space in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Washington.