Irvine Company completes $200-million reinvestment in Irvine Spectrum Center

IRVINE, Calif. (August 14, 2018) —Irvine Spectrum Center, Southern California’s leading shopping, dining and lifestyle destination, has completed a $200-million reinvestment by introducing an elevated retail experience with new store openings, extensive outdoor renovations and enhanced restaurant and entertainment options.  The nationally renowned center, which attracts more than 18 million visitors annually, welcomes the newest offerings at the center beginning August 18, 2018.

“We are excited to introduce these new, renowned brands with local roots to Irvine Spectrum Center’s wide range of world-class shopping, dining and entertainment choices,” said Butch Knerr, president of Irvine Company Retail Properties. “This major reinvestment elevates the center’s visitor experience, and underscores our long-term commitment to enhancing the Orange County retail landscape.”

Continuing through 2019, Irvine Spectrum Center will welcome a total of 30 new stores and restaurants located throughout four brand-new buildings. In addition, the $200-million reinvestment is ushering in a wide array of new and enhanced outdoor spaces and amenities, including courtyards and rolling lawns, beautiful trees and lush landscaping, and seating areas with comfortable furniture for guests to enjoy our outstanding year-round climate.

And the center’s young visitors are in for a special treat: The grand opening will debut Luckey Climber, a unique climbing structure that is part-jungle gym and part-work of art. Designed by Spencer Luckey, a graduate of the Yale School of Architecture, the sculpture is the company’s largest free-standing outdoor climber to date, standing at 18’ tall, 50’ long and 18’ wide.  The sculpture is filled with 75 rotationally molded plastic platforms in bright colors to challenge kids of all ages to climb, problem-solve and think spatially while also engaging with other kids.

Shoppers and diners will have plenty of outstanding choices to explore – including national brands and boutiques unique to Orange County – as the following new merchants are scheduled to open on Aug. 18:

• Apple Irvine Spectrum Center, a new, larger location to try all of Apple’s products or join one of the free Today at Apple sessions.
• H&M, a new Southern California flagship store for the wildly popular clothing and lifestyle brand.
• STANCE, a San Clemente-based brand that lays to rest any debate over whether socks can – should — make a fashion statement.
• Gorjana, locally designed, beautiful jewelry inspired by Southern California’s lifestyle.
• 85°C Bakery Café, which specializes in high-end gourmet breads, desserts and beverages at affordable prices.
• BLKdot Coffee, specializing in delicious espressos and other drinks crafted to give your day a jolt because, after all, as the café’s motto goes, “Sleep is overrated.”
• Afters Ice Cream, known for its decadent ice cream sandwiches made with a glazed doughnut and whimsical toppings.
• Concrete Rose, a boutique offering everything for the fashion-savvy shopper, from contemporary, to urban, to glam trends.
• Falasophy, a modern Lebanese street-food kitchen that traces its roots to 2014 as a Southern California food truck.
• Robata Wasa, an elegant, high-quality Japanese cuisine and sushi restaurant.
• SoHa Living, which brings a popular Hawaii-based coastal living décor brand to Southern California’s shores.
• The Denim Lab, which operates under the simple goal of helping customers find the perfect pair of jeans for their unique genes.
• Ra Yoga, a one-stop shop for all yogic needs, including a wide range of group classes, private yoga instruction, yoga therapy, Ayurvedic wellness treatments and childcare.
• UnAffected, a modern-day women’s clothing boutique offering a selection of elevated basics and stylish pieces for today’s shopper.

New merchants that will be opening at Irvine Spectrum Center later this year and beyond include:

• Hello Kitty Café, the brand’s first-ever café complete with spirits in addition to desserts, coffees and teas. The opening will mark the café’s transition from pop-up to permanent. (Late Summer 2018)
• Brigade LA, a luxury designer boutique offering ready-to-wear goods, high-end casual and evening wear for men and women. (Late 2018)
• Drybar, an Irvine-headquartered group of premier salons specializing in blowouts, professional hair care products and styling tools. (Late 2018)
• Sephora, a leader in global prestige retail that has earned its reputation as a beauty trailblazer with its expertise, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. (2019)
• SST&C, a Milan-based Italian men’s wear brand embracing simple, stylish and trendy suits, shirts, ties and casual wear. (2019)

Additionally, over the coming weeks, numerous popular center tenants — including Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, BOSE, Stance, Alex & Ani, Yankee Candles, LuLulemon SkinFood and more — will hold in-store events, special performances and giveaways while spotlighting trends in fashion, beauty, sports, home, music and much more.

Irvine Spectrum Center is located in the City of Irvine, one of the world’s most successful master-planned communities. The center continues to attract locals and visitors looking for a relaxed atmosphere of shopping, dining and entertainment. In July of 2018, the center was ranked one of the top five centers in the nation for customer experiences by Chain Store Age, a leading national provider of retail news. Specifically, Chain Store Age noted Irvine Spectrum Center’s diverse array of dining and entertainment options, and the new stores that are now opening.

The center’s new retailers, outdoor social spaces, reimagined carousel, pop-jet fountain, furniture and a new, additional parking structure that can accommodate 1,500 spaces, represent the latest in a series of major reinvestments and transformations at Irvine Spectrum Center, which Irvine Company has owned and operated since it opened in 1995. The reinvestment in Irvine Spectrum Center was announced in January 2016 to coincide with its 20^th anniversary.

Irvine Spectrum Center continues to thrive at a time when online shopping continues to surge and traditional mall retailers are closing thousands of stores. The center is home to powerhouse retailers Target and Nordstrom and more than 150 shops, restaurants and entertainment options.

For more information, visit IrvineSpectrumCenter.com

About Irvine Spectrum Center
Irvine Spectrum Center is one of Southern California’s most popular shopping, dining and entertainment lifestyle destinations, visited by more than 18 million people annually. The center features Nordstrom and Target, along with more than 175 stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, including the country’s most successful Improv Comedy Club, as well as one of the highest-grossing movie theaters in North America, Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX and RPX, a 5,000-plus-seat, 21-screen movie theater with VIP recliners and seat-side service.

Irvine Spectrum Center recently completed a $200-plus million reinvestment bringing 30 new stores and restaurants to the center, including Southern California flagships like H&M and Sephora, to homegrown brands such as Stance and Afters Ice Cream. Other notable offerings include: Habana, Gorjana, Pressed Juicery, CUCINA enoteca, Urban Home, Tender Greens, Umami Burger, TLT Food and Hello Kitty Café’s first brick-and-mortar café. For more information, please visit IrvineSpectrumCenter.com

Media Contact:
John Christensen
[email protected]
(949) 200-6108