Southern California mall begins transformation into sprawling mega complex — with 2,250 homes and 15 acres of parks

Construction crews have broken ground on Bolsa Pacific, a massive 83-acre mixed-use development set to replace the long-struggling Westminster Mall in Orange County, according to developers and project officials.

The sprawling redevelopment promises to transform the site into what developers are calling “a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood with homes, shops, dining and community gathering spaces centered around a 2-acre urban park.”

Instead of empty storefronts and abandoned commercial spaces, the new project is expected to bring more than 2,200 homes, a 120-room hotel, over 220,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and more than 15 acres of open spaces.

The former Westminster Mall closed permanently in October of 2025, after being battered by shifting consumers habits and trends.

Now, developers are trying to cash in on a booming “mini city” trend, packing the area with apartments, restaurants, outdoor shopping and entertainment.

“Projects of this scale and importance require deep collaboration and a shared commitment to place-making,” said Bill Shopoff, president and CEO of Shopoff Realty Investments, which acquired the property earlier this year.

The revamped development will include a mix of market-rate apartments, 228 “deed-restricted affordable housing units,” and town homes. The apartments will range from 500 square feet for studio spaces, and up to 1,300 square feet for one and two-bedrooms. Town homes are estimated to have an average size of 1,750 square feet for a three or four bedroom dwelling.

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“If we don’t provide housing across all spectrum’s in Orange County, our children are going to move to Arizona and Texas for their piece of the American dream,” Shopoff told CoStar News. 

Plans also call for food halls, walking paths, retail kiosks, an amphitheater, and event spaces designed to create a walkable lifestyle hub.

One familiar retailer isn’t going anywhere, though. The existing Target on the property will reportedly stay open during construction before eventually relocating within the new development.

Construction officially began in mid-April, and will continue to unfold in phases. Demolition of the mall is already underway, with full-scale construction expected to ramp up later this year.

Project officials have not yet provided a construction timeline, many reports online suggest the giant makeover may not be completed until around 2030.

Model homes will start being displayed in late 2027 or early 2028, officials told KTLA.