Work has begun to reposition an abandoned mall in Westminster, Calif., into a mixed-use development with retail, hospitality, and housing.

The 33.5 ha (83-acre) Bolsa Pacific redevelopment project broke ground on April 15. Architecture firm AO designed the plan for Shopoff Realty Investments to deliver 2,250 residential units, 20,438.6 m² (220,000 sf) of retail, a 120-room hotel, and more than 6 ha (15 acres) of publicly accessible open space. The Orange County site was previously home to the Westminster Mall, which closed to the public in late 2025.

Retail repositioning is an increasingly popular trend in the construction and development sector, with one study showing that 46 per cent of former malls have been transformed into mixed-use environments.

Bolsa Pacific will include five multifamily buildings and three townhome clusters. The retail component includes dining options and food-and-beverage offerings.

“Our partnership with AO has elevated the project design and helped move the transformation of this site forward in a way that will deliver lasting value to the community,” says Shopoff Realty Investments president and CEO Bill Shopoff.

Ioanna Magiati, a partner at AO, highlighted coordination efforts between Shopoff, the City of Westminster, and consultants to resolve challenges.