BILL SHOPOFF (with scissors) at the opening of the Uptown Newport Park project.

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

Westminster Mall, the now-fading shopping center that was once the retail jewel of its namesake city, was originally a cutting edge development that was anchored by four – four! – department stores.

Now, its planned replacement, Bolsa Pacific at Westminster, is intended to once again place that location at the forefront of modern development and – incidentally – help restore its place as a major tax generator for the city.

ARTIST’S RENDERING of the proposed new Bolsa Pacific at Westminster, which could replace the existing Westminster Mall (Shopoff Realty).

William “Bill” Shopoff, 65, is the man behind the plan. As head of Shopoff Realty Investments, he’s built the sprawling Uptown Newport development combining residential, commercial and retail uses, as well as two parks.

Now he and his firm turn their attention to Westminster and its mall.

“We recognized the opportunity to add much-needed housing to the City of Westminster, removing the underutilized department store space and replacing with housing, a much-needed element for the community,” he said. “We believe the re-birth of this area will start with this incredible mixed-use development that will once again become a gathering point for the community for decades to come.”

The 26-acre project would include:

• Over 1,000 apartments across three five-story buildings and 100 townhomes for purchase
• 2.5-acres of green space, including an amphitheater, dog park, pickle-ball courts and food kiosks
• A new 175-room hotel
• About 25,000 square feet of new retail stores and a food hall.

How was the new name selected?

“Bolsa Pacific captures the coastal proximity of Westminster while nodding to the iconic Bolsa Avenue that lines the property,” he said.

There are still many steps to be taken before the Bolsa Pacific comes to fruition. “We are currently focused on the entitlements of the project but once these are achieved it will be about three years before any product will be delivered to the public.”

But Shopoff feels it’s going to be a very welcome change. “It was very well-received,” he said. “We delivered what we originally intended when we bought the property and truly believe in the real estate at this location.”