Look Back at Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center
The Hawthorne Plaza Mall, a once-thriving shopping center in Hawthorne, California, has long been a symbol of urban decline. Closed since the late 1990s, the mall has become a focal point of community debates, legal battles, and redevelopment efforts.
In 2017, ambitious plans were unveiled for a $500 million redevelopment of the mall, aiming to transform it into a mixed-use development featuring residential units, retail spaces, and entertainment venues.
However, progress on this front has been slow, with ongoing delays and uncertainties regarding financing and execution.
In 2021, the City of Hawthorne initiated a lawsuit against the mall’s current owner, The Charles Company, accusing them of allowing the property to deteriorate into an eyesore and a public hazard.
The lawsuit highlights local authorities’ frustration over broken promises of redevelopment and the continued neglect of the abandoned site.
In October 2023, The Charles Company listed the vacant Hawthorne Plaza Mall site for sale. This move opens the possibility for new ownership and fresh redevelopment plans. The sale of this one million-square-foot property is seen as a critical juncture in determining the site’s future.
The prolonged abandonment and the legal tussles surrounding the mall have significantly impacted the local community. Residents have expressed concerns over safety, the decline in property values, and missed opportunities for economic revitalization.
The mall’s redevelopment is seen as a potential catalyst for economic growth, but the path forward remains uncertain.
The story of Hawthorne Plaza Mall is one of legal battles, stalled redevelopment, and the struggle to reclaim a neglected urban landscape.
As the mall’s fate hangs in the balance, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in urban renewal and the importance of strategic, well-financed development plans.
A Promising Start for the Mall
In February 1977, Hawthorne Plaza opened its doors to the public, offering a shopping experience with 134 stores and three anchor tenants: Montgomery Ward, The Broadway, and JCPenney.
The mall catered to the area’s middle-class residents and featured more affordable stores than nearby malls like South Bay Galleria, Manhattan Village, and Del Amo Fashion Center.
Timeline of the Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Hawthorne Plaza Redevelopment Project approved |
| 1974 | Groundbreaking for the mall |
| 1977 | Opening of the mall |
| 1979 | Two shootings in the mall |
| 1980s-1990s | Economic decline and competition led to the decline of the mall |
| 1992 | Looting and damage during the 1992 Los Angeles riots |
| 1997 | Macy’s Clearance Center closes |
| 1998 | JCPenney closes |
| 1999 | Mall closes |
The Impact of the Mall on the Local Community
The opening of the Hawthorne Plaza Shopping Center brought a sense of excitement to the local community, as it provided a new shopping destination and job opportunities.
In addition, the mall was a popular spot for families and friends to spend time together, shop, dine, and enjoy events and promotions organized by the mall management.
The Decline: Economic Factors and Competition
Despite its initial popularity, the mall faced challenges from the very beginning. In 1979, two shootings marred its early years.
The decline continued in the 1980s and 1990s due to the economic downturn in the area, which resulted from cutbacks in aerospace jobs, white flight, and competition from other shopping centers.
As a result, the mall’s number of occupied stores dropped from 130 in the late 1980s to 87 in 1994 and around 70 in 1998.
1992 Los Angeles Riots and the Mall’s Role
In 1992, the mall was looted and damaged during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. The tragic event left a lasting impact on the mall’s image and contributed to its decline. Despite the damage, sales briefly stayed consistent following the unrest until the decade’s end.
The Struggle to Adapt and Stay Relevant
Plans to revitalize the mall, including converting it into an open-air shopping center and adding an AMC Theatre, were announced in 1997. However, these renovations failed to materialize, and the mall continued to lose ground to other shopping centers in the area.
The Aftermath: An Abandoned Space with a Rich History
In 1999, the mall closed its doors, leaving behind an abandoned structure and multi-story parking lots. The southern section of the mall was demolished in 1998 and rebuilt as a strip mall, now featuring a supermarket, a pharmacy, and some small restaurants.
The mall’s remaining building is primarily gutted and serves as a police training center and an administrative office for the Hawthorne School District.
The Mall’s Role in Hollywood Productions
The abandoned mall has become a famous filming location for movies, TV shows, and music videos, attracting major productions and celebrities. Its eerie and nostalgic atmosphere provides a unique backdrop for various genres and themes. Some notable productions filmed at Hawthorne Plaza include:
Minority Report (2002), starring Tom Cruise.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) features an intense car chase scene.
Teen Wolf (2011) uses the mall as a mysterious and creepy setting.
Agents of Shield (2013) showcases the mall’s dystopian feel.
Beyoncé’s “Superpower” music video (2013) features a post-apocalyptic setting.
Gone Girl (2014) with Ben Affleck.
Lindsey Stirling’s “Heist” music video (2014) showcases her signature violin and dance performance.
Westworld (2016), transforming the mall into a futuristic world.
Taylor Swift’s “…Ready for It?” music video (2017) presents a sci-fi-inspired setting.
BTS’ “Black Swan” (2020) utilizes the mall’s haunting atmosphere.
Tenet (2020), directed by Christopher Nolan and starring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson.
The Future: Redevelopment Plans and Challenges
Numerous redevelopment plans have been proposed since 1998, but none have come to fruition. The mall’s future remains uncertain, as various revitalization efforts have faced challenges and setbacks.
Revitalization Efforts and Obstacles
In 2014, ABC News announced that the mall would be revitalized as an outlet mall. In 2016, the city council approved the Hawthorne Specific Plan, calling for 500 high-end housing units, innovative office units, commercial outlets, and outdoor dining sites.
However, the construction never began, and the property owner Charles Co. did not initiate the redevelopment process.
In November 2016, the Hawthorne City Hall Commission revealed intentions to raze Hawthorne Plaza and construct a new development resembling the iconic Farmers Market in Los Angeles. As of 2021, future developments have been put on indefinite hold.
Legal Troubles and Uncertain Future
On December 15, 2022, the mall’s owner received a four-year prison sentence for bribing a Los Angeles County official as part of a plot to secure a profitable lease agreement for the deserted shopping center. This legal issue adds another layer of complexity to the potential redevelopment of the site.
they need ti do something with building its just there looking abandoned
It’s sad to see a big old building like that just sitting there, abandoned and unused. I can imagine how frustrating it must be for people in the community to see that space going to waste. It would be really cool if they could find a way to turn the Hawthorne Plaza into something that could benefit the community.
Fond memories of Hawthorne Mall. Every Friday was “treat day” for my daughter. Her favorite spot was the shop that sold hot gingerbread and whipped cream. Slowly the atmosphere in the mall changed drastically and it became an unsavory place to be. Miss the good days. Hawthorne PD provided a safe environment for you to take your game and. Thank you HPD and God bless.
Nice to hear about people’s fond memories of places like Hawthorne Plaza. Those little rituals and traditions can be so special and create lasting memories. It’s important to remember that while things may change over time, we can still hold onto the positive memories and experiences we had in the past. And who knows, perhaps there will be new opportunities to create new traditions and memories in the Hawthorne community.
I have very fond memories of the Hawthorne mall in the 80’s I would take my daughter there to get an “Icee” that’s the only place she wanted to go for that!!😂. She was 4-5 years old and then beyond that. Now she’s 38, married moved away and 2 children . Great memories
It’s heartwarming to hear about your cherished memories at the Hawthorne Plaza Mall in the ’80s. Those precious moments spent with your daughter are truly priceless. May such joyful memories continue to bring a smile to your face! 😊
I have memories of going to Hawthorne Mall and especially the movie theater that was right across the street from the mall. Maybe it should be housing and training center for low income housing individuals and families.
Thank you for sharing your memories of Hawthorne Plaza. Transforming the space into a facility that provides not only housing but also education and resources for personal development could have a significant positive impact on many people’s lives.
That was the Hawthorne 6 Movie theater.. I went there all the time in HS.. That was when having 6 screens was a huge deal and with $20 you could go on a date and get 2 tickets and popcorn.. The good ole days
You’re so right! It’s crazy how much has changed since then, but those kinds of experiences make the memories even sweeter.
it would be a beautiful thing if the mall could/would reopen! maybe a skating ring would be soooo nice! outlets like in Vegas, restaurants, classes like in libraries, movie theaters, crafts, computer classes, cooking classes,,a gym, heritage events of all kinds,, all in one place with the police right across the street!
Thank you for sharing your imaginative vision for the Hawthorne Plaza. A skating rink would indeed add a unique charm. Offering various classes, from crafts to cooking, is a brilliant way to make the mall a community hub.
May I suggest the own or city build a large hotel with a gorgeous restaurant, this would bring revenue to the city and jobs to the community.
The city of Hawthorne has a lot of amenities, near the Air Force Base and Aerspace industries, we have the Pacific Ocean, rapid transit near by.
Security would have to be enforced by police to make visitors safe.
The proximity to the Air Force Base and Aerospace industries makes Hawthorne attractive for such a venture. Your idea could catalyze job creation and community development, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
They should reopen the mall, the hospital and where Home Town Buffet and the two 99cents only stores used to be and where Fashion time was located.
It would be amazing to see those places reopened. Hawthorne Plaza Mall holds a lot of memories. Let’s hope the area can be revitalized soon. Thanks for sharing!
The weekend the Mall opened, a lady threw her baby off the 2nd story walkway to the carport.The stroller was still there on the bridge when Mom and I drove into the parking area for the 1st time.I was 7 years old.Chilling from the beginning but I have good memories there
What a haunting story from your childhood. It’s impressive that you also have positive memories of the mall despite that. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you so much for reporting on this! I live near this mall and it has become such an eyesore, I appreciate the timeline and events of such a once thriving mall and the state of decline it’s now in. My only fear now is I most likely won’t even live to see a redevelopment of this mall that many of my family members enjoyed going to back in it’s prime.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s hard to watch the decline of a place with so many memories tied to it. I hope that someday, the mall can be brought back to life, even if it seems a long way off.
Not long ago I lived 2 blocks over from the Hawthorne Mall and on the backside there is a lot of dumping, the homeless have made encampments in the deserted parking structure, the taggers are constantly putting up grafffitti.. It’s not much of an eyesore from the FRONT, but from the back which several houses face, it’s definitely an eye sore.
I’d like to see another mall, especially since the South Bay Galleria (which I nnow live in walking distance to) is on it’s last leg. There is NO food court and mostly a bunch of random no value added stores. The only thing keeping it open are its anchor tenants of Kohls, Red Robin and Macys and the Theater which is still thriving.
We’re already over-crowded so I don’t think more apartments is the answer because there is never enough parking already.. Most apts come with ONE spot and most homes have at least 2 cars… It makes for hunger games when trying to park on the street.
It’s unfortunate how different the front and back of the mall look, and I hope the situation improves for the neighbors. Parking struggles are so real, especially in busy neighborhoods. I agree that more apartments could just add to the chaos. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!