Laguna Hills mall redevelopment reduces retail space while increasing the number of homes and adding a hotel.
After eight years of vacancy, the Laguna Hills Mall is poised for redevelopment, as the City Council has recently approved a revised plan aimed at transforming the site into a mixed-use urban village. This new blueprint, which reduces the proposed retail space and places an emphasis on housing and public amenities, reflects a strategic shift in the project’s direction.
Mayor Don Caskey underscored the city’s commitment to reimagining the 68-acre property to enhance community engagement and create a vibrant destination. The amendments to the Village at Laguna Hills project, which was initially approved in 2022, signal a significant alteration in the development approach, though not without some dissent from councilmembers seeking additional review time.
Under the updated vision, the Village will include a total of 1,457 residential units, with at least 200 designated as affordable housing for senior citizens. City leaders have expressed the importance of ensuring housing accessibility for a diverse population, particularly for essential workers in Laguna Hills, such as teachers and firefighters. However, the final determination on affordable housing target demographics will rest with the developer, Merlone Geier Partners.
While the project has scaled back office space and eliminated plans for features such as a gym and movie theater, the council remains optimistic about the financial viability of the endeavor. The revised plan forecast anticipates a general fund surplus of million annually for the city and approximately million in one-time fee payments from the developer. These funds are expected to support various city programs, including enhancements to parks and recreational facilities.
The redevelopment will replace the previously envisioned single five-story hotel with two four-story hotels, providing a total of 239 guest accommodations. This shift, alongside a reduction in retail space from 250,000 square feet to approximately 163,000 square feet, aligns with the city’s focus on creating neighborhood-oriented retail and fostering pedestrian-friendly pathways around a newly expanded three-acre community park.
Current popular dining establishments, such as BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, King’s Fish House, and In-N-Out Burger, will remain operational, ensuring continuity for residents and visitors alike.
City officials, including Caskey and Councilmember Jared Mathis, remain positive that the Village at Laguna Hills will serve as a catalyst for broader redevelopment initiatives in the area. The project, which is projected to unfold over the next decade in three phases, aims to revitalize this prominent location, visible from the 5 Freeway, and contribute to the overall economic and social well-being of the community.
As the city looks towards the future, local leaders express hope that the success of the Village will inspire further development efforts throughout south Orange County. The ambition is to create an environment where community interaction flourishes and the area thrives economically.
