New Retail Center Planned in Commerce
Commerce, Calif., known for its abundance of manufacturing and warehousing facilities, is emerging as a retail destination.
The Los Angeles–based J.H. Snyder Co. has secured the rights to develop the Commerce Town Center, a 350,000-square-foot urban retail center wedged between the castle- like Citadel Outlets and the Commerce Casino card club.
The Town Center will have prime visibility from Interstate 5, and developers are taking advantage of the location. J.H. Snyder is working with The Jerde Partnership of Los Angeles to develop the $50 million center. Jerde, which designed the Bellagio in Las Vegas and Horton Plaza in San Diego, is planning for a sweeping retail front with wide pedestrian sidewalks ornamented by water features and seating areas.
The developers are targeting a number of national apparel retailers as well as restaurants and a 3,000-square-foot movie theater for the project. Groundbreaking is planned for 2005. J.H. Snyder, which has completed a preliminary site plan, is working with the city of Commerce as well as various other parties to secure the land.
The city is pegging the project as a community center for Commerce residents, but the center could also serve those commuting to or through the city as well as Citadel and Commerce Casino visitors.
“This will bring needed synergy to the area, along with new venues for top-notch shopping and entertainment,” said Jerry Snyder, senior principal of J.H. Snyder.
J.H. Snyder is also redeveloping the Huntington Beach Mall in Orange County into Bella Terra and is working on mixed-use residential/ retail projects, including the NoHo Commons in North Hollywood, Calif.
Other upcoming Commerce retail projects include an expansion of the 400,000-squarefoot Citadel and a new music and sports arena planned by the Oscar de la Hoya Group. —R.M.
