The Grove at Farmers Market

Infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = The Grove


image_width =
caption =
location = Los Angeles, California
address = 189 The Grove Drive Los Angeles, CA 90036
coordinates =
opening_date = February 2002
closing_date =
developer = Caruso Affiliated
manager =
owner = Caruso Affiliated
architect = David Williams, Elkus Manfredi
number_of_stores =
number_of_anchors = 1
floor_area = 600,000 ft²
floors = 3
parking =
website = [http://www.thegrovela.com/ www.thegrovela.com]
footnotes =

The Grove is a retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, California, built by the real estate firm Caruso Affiliated on parts of the historic Farmers Market.

History

The complex fills space previously occupied by an orchard and nursery (the last remains of a dairy farm owned by A.F. Gilmore in the latter part of the 19th century). In spite of controversy over potentially increased traffic in a neighborhood that already offered several other shopping venues, including the Beverly Center, the developers began demolition of an antique alley and other older buildings on Third Street behind CBS Television City, and broke ground for the new mall in 1999. The Grove opened in 2002 and, by all press accounts, has been a busy and popular destination since that date.

Design

The 575,000-square-foot (53,000-m²) outdoor marketplace is located in Los Angeles' Fairfax District. Caruso Affiliated claims to have modeled its architectural designs on indigenous Los Angeles buildings, influenced by classic historic districts with shopping alleys, broad plazas, and intimate courtyards. However, the design is a series of Art Deco-style false fronts with boxy interiors similar to other contemporary stores.

Attractions

The Grove features a large center park with an animated fountain by WET. Its music-fountain show plays every half hour, though the feature has a non-musical program in between shows. The water's choreography is reminiscent of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas—also designed by WET—but on a smaller scale. There is also "The Spirit of Los Angeles" statue. An internal transit system uses electric-powered trolley cars to link The Grove and the adjacent Farmers Market. The Grove is anchored by the department store Nordstrom, as well as Banana Republic, Michael Kors, The Gap, J.Crew, Nike, the West Coast flagship Abercrombie & Fitch, and Pacific Sunwear and specialty outlets including Barnes & Noble, Crate & Barrel, Barney's New York Co-op, Los Angeles flagship Apple Store, and American Girl Place.

The Grove's many restaurants include Maggiano's Little Italy, Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill, Morels French Steakhouse, The Whisper Lounge, The Farm of Beverly Hills, La Piazza and The Cheesecake Factory.

The main entertainment venue is a 14-screen movie theater complex owned by Pacific Theatres.

During the wintertime, fake snow falls periodically during the night.

External links

* [http://www.thegrovela.com/ The Grove]
* [http://www.transit-rider.com/ca.losangeles/thegrove.cfm Transit Rider Photos of trolley]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6lKWTdm9JY Metro Video of The Grove/Farmers Market]