Google Leases Entire Westside Pavilion Mall Redevelopment Project

LOS ANGELES—Google has leased the entirety of the planned project to redevelop a portion of the former Westside Pavilion mall here.

The co-developers of the One Westside project—Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. and Macerich—report that Google will lease approximately 584,000 square feet of the planned Class A creative office campus in West Los Angeles that was formerly part of the Westside Pavilion shopping mall.

Construction is expected to begin on the project, which is targeting LEED Silver certification, later this year that will convert the landmark shopping mall into office space. Google’s approximately 14-year lease term will commence upon completion of construction and build-out of tenant improvements scheduled in 2022.

The project, designed by architectural firm Gensler, will repurpose high ceilings and a multi-level atrium and skylight, allowing for natural light-filled interiors. Up to 150,000-square-foot floor plates provide hyper-flexible open layouts. The property also features 45,000 square feet of exterior terraces and patios with 15-foot wide folding glass walls. The property also offers a rooftop amenity space with a garden deck and direct bridge access to the Landmark Theatre, Westside Tavern restaurant and in-line retail shops.

Victor Coleman, chairman and CEO of Hudson Pacific Properties, says, “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with Google, and are proud to support this significant phase of their growth. Google’s selection of One Westside demonstrates the strength of the Los Angeles tech and media industries, and exemplifies the type of creative office space that is in demand from large tech and media tenants.”

Tom O’Hern, CEO and director of Macerich, adds, “Macerich properties are known for the strength of their markets and unparalleled locations. The fact that Google is taking all available creative office space in this joint project with Hudson Pacific underscores the power of our well-placed real estate.”

One Westside is owned in a joint venture formed in March 2018 by Hudson Pacific and Macerich. Hudson Pacific owns 75% of the venture and serves as the managing member and the property’s day-to-day operator and developer. Macerich owns the remaining 25% of the property. The joint venture also owns and will continue to operate 96,000 square feet of adjacent entertainment and retail space at 10850 Pico Blvd.

RG Kahoe, Google’s real estate project executive for the Southwest, says, “Google’s been a proud member of the Los Angeles community since 2003. We’re excited to continue investing in the community as part of Hudson Pacific and Macerich’s adaptive reuse project at One Westside.”

One Westside is located steps from the Expo Line light rail’s Westwood/Rancho Park station and proximate to the I-405 and I-10 freeways. The property is immediately adjacent to the residential enclave of Cheviot Hills, and less than three miles from the business and residential communities of Century City, Westwood, Culver City, Mar Vista and Brentwood.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti commented on the mega Google lease on Twitter by stating, “Google and Hudson PPI are making powerful investments in L.A. and the genius of our people by turning part of the Westside Pavilion into offices. When the jobs of tomorrow go near transit hubs, we create opportunities for every community to thrive & be part of defining the future.”

The mega lease with Google, follows a series of large transactions last fall by Hudson Pacific with another growing technology company—Netflix.

Netflix signed a lease deal. to fully occupy the entire “EPIC” office building on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The Internet entertainment service will begin taking occupancy in phases in January 2020 of the entire 13-story, 327,913-square-foot office building currently under construction. The lease deal concludes in January 2031.

Netflix also signed a coterminous lease extension for 325,757 square feet of office space at Hudson Pacific’s ICON and 91,953 square feet of office space at the firm’s CUE office buildings, both located on the landmark Sunset Bronson Studios lot, across the street from EPIC. Sunset Bronson is also owned and operated by Hudson Pacific and is home to long-term tenants CBS and KTLA.