1972–1974: Development and opening
In the 1920s, the world's largest goldfish farm was relocated to the area where the mall stands today.[4]
Homart Development Company announced plans to build the mall in 1972. The structure was designed by Architectonics, Inc. of Dallas and Chicago with each department store hiring its own architect. C. H. Leavell & Co. of El Paso was the general contractor. Construction of the mall began in 1972.[5][6]
Westminster Mall opened for business on August 7, 1974,[7] with May Company, Sears and Buffum's. The Sears store designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill was 200,000 square feet on two levels.[5] Ladd & Kelsey were the architects for the May Company store which was 150,000 square feet on two levels and boasted a restaurant and cocktail lounge. The 90,000 square foot, two level Buffum's was designed by Killingsworth, Bradley & Associates.[8] J. W. Robinson's was added in 1975 as the mall's fourth anchor store.[9]
Three of the mall's anchors changed names in the 1990s. Buffum's closed in May 1991[10] due to the chain being liquidated. By January 1993, Robinson's and May Company merged to form Robinsons-May, with each store carrying the name by February.[11] As a result, the May Company store was rebranded Robinsons-May, and the J. W. Robinson's was closed as one of the 12 Robinson's and May Company stores closing as part of the merger. The closed Buffum's store became a Robinson's-May Home Store in March 1993 and in November of that same year, the closed Robinson's store became a JCPenney, which had relocated from Huntington Center Mall (now Bella Terra).[12] In 2002, the Robinsons-May Home Store building was torn down for a new Macy's. When Federated Department Stores (now Macy's, Inc.) purchased Robinsons-May and other May Co. names in September 2006, Macy's moved to the Robinsons-May building, and the former Macy's location soon became a Target. Old Navy was added as well. In 2008, the mall underwent a renovation, relocating the carousel to nearby Sears and constructing a play area in its place near JCPenney. The grand re-opening was on November 15, 2008.
On May 28, 2014, Washington Prime Group, which owned interest in the Westminster Mall along with 97 other properties, was spun-off by Simon Property Group, with management being transferred as well by March 2016.
Decline and closure (2015–November 2025)
In 2015, the Todai Seafood and Sushi buffet closed, being replaced by Luxe Buffet. That same year, Sears Holdings spun off 235 of its properties, including the Sears at Westminster Mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.[13]
Gymboree and Crazy 8 closed on August 12, 2017, as part of a plan to close 300 stores nationwide.
On January 4, 2018, it was announced that Sears would be closing as part of a plan to close 103 stores nationwide. The store closed in April 2018, making it the last original anchor store to close.[14] The carousel located near Sears would also move to nearby Macy's. As of January 2021, the space is still vacant.
As of 2023, Spencer Gifts was the last long-term tenant remaining from the opening era of the mall in their original location on the upper level. They were temporarily moved downstairs during the COVID-19 pandemic;[15]
After closure (2025–present)
January 2026 vandalism
As of January 2026, news outlets have reported the abandoned mall to be totally trashed, with piles of furniture, graffiti and glass everywhere. One former employee expressed shock at the lack of police and authority present. Westminster police commander Andy Stowers reports that the mall has become a major issue since its closure in October, and that the Westminster police has received over 400 calls for service to the mall, 57 in one week, and that over 30 arrests have been made in relation to trespassing and vandalism. Reportedly, authorities have been patrolling the area more heavily and have been working with the owners of the building to prevent further entry. Despite this, the abandoned mall has been attracting attention from all over southern California. On January 12, the former mall was boarded up with lumber, and fencing was constructed around the property, and an officer patrolling the area.[20]
Redevelopment
In early 2026, Shopoff Realty Investments announced their acquisition on the remaining piece of the mall from Washington Prime Group. Shopoff Realty Investments plans to redevelop the area with mixed-use housing, townhomes, retail, and a new, relocated Target. The project is known as Bolsa Pacific. Demolition of the mall is expected to start around Q2 2026, and construction of the new property is expected to start around Q4 2026. Demolition on Westminster Mall started on April 15, 2026. Shopoff Realty Investments announced the following day that besides just the
January 2026 vandalism
As of January 2026, news outlets have reported the abandoned mall to be totally trashed, with piles of furniture, graffiti and glass everywhere. One former employee expressed shock at the lack of police and authority present. Westminster police commander Andy Stowers reports that the mall has become a major issue since its closure in October, and that the Westminster police has received over 400 calls for service to the mall, 57 in one week, and that over 30 arrests have been made in relation to trespassing and vandalism. Reportedly, authorities have been patrolling the area more heavily and have been working with the owners of the building to prevent further entry. Despite this, the abandoned mall has been attracting attention from all over southern California. On January 12, the former mall was boarded up with lumber, and fencing was constructed around the property, and an officer patrolling the area.[20]
Redevelopment
In early 2026, Shopoff Realty Investments announced their acquisition on the remaining piece of the mall from Washington Prime Group. Shopoff Realty Investments plans to redevelop the area with mixed-use housing, townhomes, retail, and a new, relocated Target. The project is known as Bolsa Pacific. Demolition of the mall is expected to start around Q2 2026, and construction of the new property is expected to start around Q4 2026. Demolition on Westminster Mall started on April 15, 2026. Shopoff Realty Investments announced the following day that besides just the mixed-use development plans, urban green space, a hotel, and walking trails would also be included.[21]
