After months of viral videos showing graffiti, broken glass and late-night trespassers, the long-empty Westminster Mall is finally headed for demolition. An Irvine developer plans to scrap the shuttered complex and build a mixed-use neighborhood called Bolsa Pacific, bringing housing, hotels and shops to a big stretch of the Bolsa Avenue corridor.
Shopoff Realty Investments has closed on the bulk of the property and told local reporters that demolition is expected to begin by April, with the on-site Target staying open while crews start tearing down, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The paper also reported the company paid nearly $93 million for most of the mall and now controls the entire site visible from the 405 Freeway.
What Bolsa Pacific Would Include
The project’s website outlines roughly 2,250 residential units, more than 120 hotel rooms, about 220,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, and roughly 15 acres of open space for parks, paseos and plazas, according to Bolsa Pacific.
Renderings and industry reporting place the development across roughly 83-89 acres and show a mix of townhomes, mid-rise apartment buildings and a central urban park, according to Urbanize LA.
Vandalism and Public Safety
Since the enclosed mall closed in late October, videos circulating online have documented widespread tagging, smashed storefronts and people roaming the empty corridors. Westminster police and local broadcasters say officers have responded to hundreds of calls and made dozens of arrests for trespassing and vandalism, per NBC Los Angeles. Authorities and the new owner have since increased fencing and patrols, including measures captured in a Storyful video compilation of on-site footage.
Where Approvals Stand
The City of Westminster adopted a Specific Plan and environmental review for the mall area in late 2022 that examined a larger possible buildout, including up to 3,000 dwelling units and hundreds of hotel rooms, providing a framework for future redevelopment, according to state CEQA records. Shopoff has submitted entitlement plans that will be reviewed by the city within that framework as officials evaluate traffic, open-space obligations and mitigation measures.
Timeline and What To Watch
Industry notices and the developer’s filings indicate demolition is planned for the spring of 2026, with full construction expected to begin in phases by late 2026 after entitlements are secured. The developer and industry reporting note Target will continue operating during early demolition and that construction will be phased so parts of the site can be occupied while other sections are built, per Shopping Center Business…