SAN DIEGO—An outdoor retail resort and urban oasis, the new Westfield UTC is about far more than traditional shopping alone, the firm's senior general manager Ryan Perry tells GlobeSt.com. The iconic center has been the backbone of the UTC submarket of San Diego for four decades and continues to change and grow as the submarket shifts with the times.

We spoke with Perry about the evolution of this iconic center and where it's going next.

GlobeSt.com: How has Westfield UTC played the role of an “anchor” for the UTC submarket over the years?

Perry: Since first opening in 1977, UTC has been the retail and lifestyle hub of the surrounding University City or “Golden Triangle” district located close to UC-San Diego and La Jolla. In fact, the late Ernest Hahn, who first developed the property, called it “University Town Centre” because he imagined that it would become a complete community center concept encompassing a multiplicity of uses and experiences beyond pure retail alone. In many ways, that vision has largely been realized over the years. For example, UTC's immensely popular ice-skating rink has become a beloved local landmark welcoming generations of residents—as have many of the property's most successful shops, including Nordstrom. Over the years, the surrounding neighborhood has become one of the fastest-growing in all of Southern California. with waves of residential, retail and office developments proliferating since Westfield purchased the property in 1998.

GlobeSt.com: How has the shopping center changed, and where is it going?

Perry: The evolution of Westfield UTC has been unfolding in multiple phases. In November 2012, the property unveiled the first stage of a multi-phased transformation: a $180-million makeover punctuated by the opening of San Diego's first ArcLight Cinemas (a 14-screen, 1,800-seat luxury theater experience), Crate & Barrel, an expanded 24-Hour Fitness Super Sport Club, and a new dining terrace, as well as the introduction of Tiffany & Co., J. Crew, Tesla, PIRCH, Lululemon Athletica, Madewell, Free People and many more stylish brands. In addition, that first phase included the revitalization of the property's outdoor Palm Plaza—a community gathering place unlike any other in the La Jolla area.

Following that first upgrade, UTC continued to remerchandise creatively its retail offering with the introductive of such innovative brands as Travis Mathew, Room & Board and Nespresso. Additional arrivals included brands which had previously operated solely in the digital space, including Bonobos, Warby Parker, and—notably—Amazon Books, which chose Westfield UTC as the location for one of its very first physical stores.

The second—and current—phase of the destination's transformation is a $600-million project highlighted by the recent opening of a new two-level flagship Nordstrom. This phase also showcases an entirely new outdoor shopping and dining district on the property called the Pointe, which includes the opening of several new upscale restaurants with outdoor patio dining as well as open-air wine bars.

In addition to the new Nordstrom and San Diego's first Shake Shack (which both opened in October 2017), UTC's transformation also features a number of new and upcoming store openings—including many making their debut in the San Diego market, such as Allen Edmonds, Alo Yoga, Arhaus Furniture, Credo, Billabong, Cotton On, Jo Malone London, Marine Layer, No Rest for Bridget, Quay Australia, Rodd & Gunn, Sugarfina, Sundance, Stitch & Trace, Suitsupply, Superdry, UNTUCKit, Vessel and Vineyard Vines.

Additional new shop openings have included UTC's new Apple Store along with Aesop, American Eagle, Johnny Was, Kendra Scott, MAC Cosmetics, Saje Natural Wellness, and Typo.

UTC's upcoming wave of restaurant arrivals, almost all of which feature outdoor spaces, include Great Maple, Napizza, Tocaya Organica and True Food Kitchen, as well as several which are completely new to the San Diego market such as including Din Tai Fung, Javier's, Larsen's Steakhouse, La Colombe Coffee, Smokeyard BBQ and Chop Shop, Sweetfin Poké and the Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar La Jolla.

Another significant first to San Diego will be a new SoulCycle, scheduled to open in 2018.

UTC will also be home to 70 unique pieces of art authentic to the local community, including driftwood murals, woven textile art and several outdoor installations. The property even showcases an “Artwalk” sculpture garden leading from the property's front entrance all the way to Palm Plaza. In addition, the center enjoys an ongoing partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.

Interestingly, the property is also now the home for the commercial real estate firm CBRE, which has moved its central San Diego office to the property.

Moving into the future, UTC will also become the first Westfield property in the United States to incorporate its own residential offering. In fact, construction has now begun on UTC's new 23-story, upscale residential tower located on the property's southwest corner at the intersection of Nobel Dr. and Lombard Pl. Slated to open to residents in 2019, the tower will encompass 300 modern apartment homes that will be among the best appointed in the entire San Diego region. Each of the studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units will feature sleek interior design, high-end finishes and elegant architectural motifs. Stunning views from the residences will provide panoramas of the Pacific Ocean, La Jolla, and San Diego's mountains.

In the future, UTC will also be home to a state-of-the-art regional transit center serving as the terminus for the new San Diego trolley line connecting Downtown to the La Jolla area.

GlobeSt.com: As malls find their footing—shifting from struggling as purely retail centers to thriving with new uses—how has Westfield UTC followed this model?

Perry: The total transformation of Westfield UTC has been designed to secure firmly the destination's place at the intersection of community, culture and commerce, defined by a careful curation of offerings far beyond the traditional: world-class entertainment and retail experiences; food halls and Michelin-star, chef-driven restaurants; brand showrooms for traditional and digital retailers; and amenity-filled environments. At the same time, UTC is becoming a paradigm, demonstrating how retail destinations can incorporate successfully the best mixed-use offerings including residential, commercial, office and co-working spaces.

GlobeSt.com: What makes this property unique in the San Diego market?

Perry: An outdoor retail resort and urban oasis unlike any other in San Diego, the new Westfield UTC is about far more than traditional shopping alone. UTC now combines beautifully landscaped plazas and gardens, on-trend fashion, chef-led restaurants, multifaceted health and wellness amenities and special, unexpected touches inspired by the best of the La Jolla lifestyle. Designed with the pedestrian in mind, the property is easy and intuitive to walk through, while also providing ample areas for sitting and socializing with friends. The new plazas and public spaces feature chiseled limestone, cobbled porphyry stone, shaded cabanas and verandas, koi ponds, fire pits, twinkle lights, laser-cut lanterns, reflecting pools and wood-screened trellises under a canopy of olive, coral, and Torrey Pine trees.

UTC is also unique for the popularity of its many recurring community and cultural events. Our recurring “Uncasked,” “Uncorked” and “Plaza Unplugged” series are helping to make UTC a one-of-a-kind gathering place to experience local food-and-beverage festivals, enjoy local Temecula Valley wines and San Diego craft-beer samplings and see live concerts performed by some of the local music scene's hottest emerging talent.

Instant Insights /

How Westfield UTC Is Unlike Any Other SD Retail Center

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