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Irvine Spectrum Center

The "Giant Wheel" at the Irvine Spectrum Center as seen from across I-5 in December 2013
Location	Irvine, California, U.S.
Coordinates	33°39′01″N 117°44′37″W / 33.650378°N 117.743504°W / 33.650378; -117.743504
Opening date	November 22, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-11-22)
Developer	The Irvine Company
Architect	Perkowitz & Ruth (Phase 1) RTKL Associates (Phase 2) B.A.R. Architects (Phase 3) Unknown Architect (Phases 4-6)
No. of stores and services	152
No. of anchor tenants	2
Website	irvinespectrumcenter.com

The Irvine Spectrum Center is a lifestyle center developed by the Irvine Company, located in the Irvine Spectrum district on the southeast edge of Irvine, California, United States. The center features Nordstrom and Target department stores, a ferris wheel, and a Regal Cinemas 21-screen movie theater. Built over a 10-year period, the first phase of the center opened in 1995 and the second phase followed in 1998. The third phase was completed in 2002. The fourth and fifth phases were built and completed between 2005 and 2006. The center was used for establishing shots of the fictional "Mall of Miami" in the Disney Channel television series Austin and Ally.

History

Planning of the development of the area began in 1985. In 1989, the Irvine Company completed two 15-story office towers at the site. The retail and entertainment portion of the development, then known as the "Entertainment Center at the Irvine Spectrum Center", began construction in 1993. This first phase of the center opened in 1995 and consisted of Edwards Cinemas' 21-screen multiplex, Oasis Food Court, and GameWorks. The second phase opened in 1998. The mall's carousel was added in 2001. In 2002, the mall's third phase opened, adding a "Giant Wheel" Ferris wheel, and the centers two anchor stores, Robinsons-May and Nordstrom. Robinsons-May was re-branded as Macy's in 2006 after it was bought by Macy's. Another expansion opened in 2006, adding Target as a third anchor. Smaller expansions have been added since, such as the Clock Court restaurants and a children's play area. In 2016, 200 Spectrum Center, an office tower on the northwestern edge of the property designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, was completed. At 323 feet tall, 200 Spectrum Center is the tallest building in Orange County. Since 2003, a skating rink has been offered during the winter months, adjacent to the Giant Wheel. Macy's closed its Irvine Spectrum location in 2016.

Regal Cinemas

The Regal Cinemas originally opened as Edwards Cinema 21 and had a 21-screen movie theater that was once the largest movie theater in the western United States. During development, the Edwards company code-named it "The Big One". This remained the movie theater's nickname until other theaters eclipsed its screen count, particularly 30-screen AMC Theatres megaplex at The Outlets at Orange. The theater bore over two miles of pink and purple neon lights. On August 21, 2020, the movie theater reopened as Regal Cinemas with a new modern look.

Expansion

The Irvine Company announced in 2016 that the former Macy's building would be torn down and turned into 20 new stores, which were to open in 2018. The new stores have since opened in the southeastern section of the center, featuring a newly designed Apple Store, a two-story H&M, and 18 new stores and restaurants.

The Irvine Spectrum Center continued to expand a new wing on the south side of the center in 2020. The outdoor center added large stores, restaurants, and cafes such as Sephora, Black Dot Cafe, Apple, and a new children's playground. This $200 million expansion has attracted new revenue for the mall.

Design

The architecture of the property is based on Moroccan architecture, figuring most prominently in the center's second phase.

The center is car dependent, with the center itself surrounded by at least 2,300 parking spaces.

A white obelisk, which at night features the word "SPECTRUM" vertically projected onto it, is located on the northern corner near the freeway. It contains a cell phone and television tower.

Attractions

In 2002, the Irvine Spectrum Center added a Ferris wheel called Giant Wheel. It is made by Westech Limited in Italy. Each open-air gondola can seat up to 6 people with a minimum of 2 people. It is located near Nordstrom. It has a carousel fabricated in San Francisco.

During the holiday season, the Anaheim Ducks sponsor a 47 feet wide by 72 feet long ice skating rink at the Irvine Spectrum Center open to all ages. The ice rink makes an annual appearance in the outdoor shopping center located directly in front of the ferris wheel.

The Irvine Spectrum Center is home to one of the Hello Kitty Cafe's. The Hello Kitty Cafe is a themed dessert cafe inspired by the popular Sanrio character Hello Kitty. As of 2024, there are two locations in California. The cafe offers a variety of Hello Kitty-themed desserts and beverages and is popular for its Hello Kitty-themed decor and photo opportunities.

Gallery

• The stage for Disney Magical Holiday Lights
• An illuminated fountain, designed after the Alhambra's Court of the Lions
• The carousel
• A parking structure entrance showing the number of available spaces

References

1. "Irvine Spectrum Center Movies". Irvine Spectrum Center. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
2. Huffstetter, P.J. (22 June 1998). "Game for a Fresh Look". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
3. ^ "Alambra – the Alhambra of Granada". Archived from the original on 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-02-07.
4. ^ Chan, Alex (7 January 2016). "Macy's at Irvine Spectrum Center to close and be replaced by 20 new stores" – via Los Angeles Times.
5. "REGAL Reopens Multi-Million Dollar Makeover of IRVINE SPECTRUM THEATRE". LATF USA NEWS. 2020-09-16. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
6. "Spectrum Center - Parking Garage".
7. "Irvine Spectrum Center". visitcalifornia.com. 3 October 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
8. "What's up with the Spectrum's Giant Wheel". shop-eat-surf.com. May 13, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
9. Earnest, Leslie (December 27, 2000). "Ferris Wheel at Irvine Spectrum Part of 'Shopertainment' Addition". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
10. "Ice rinks pop up around Orange County". Orange County Register. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
11. "Irvine Spectrum Center Holiday Ice Rink". American Sports Entertainment Centers. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
12. "Details". Irvine Spectrum Center. Retrieved 2023-04-28.

• Buildings and structures in Irvine, California
• Postmodern architecture in California
• Shopping malls in Orange County, California
• Shopping malls established in 1995
• Tourist attractions in Irvine, California