Fashion Island (Orange County, CA) Retools to Become Major Lifestyle Destination!! Podcast with Irvine Co

The Irvine Company is well-known as a huge player in So. California real estate and retailing. The company owns a number of retail locations including Irvine Spectrum and Fashion Island. Fashion Island is the flagship of the retail division as the most upscale shopping center and rivals South Coast Plaza as a shopping destination.

Fashion Island Aerial View
In light of the economy and also the changes occuring in the real estate market and resort environment in Orange County, the Irvine Company is changing up and presenting an evolution of Fashion Island as more a destination spot that goes far beyond shopping unlike their largest competitor. By creating a more “destination” or “resort”-like feel, the Fashion Island experience changes for both the store tenants, the Irvine Company as well as the consumers who often come to shop a bit but hang around to eat, browse, meet with friends and chat.

Aerial view of Fashion Island with main stores
When looked at from another perspective, the Irvine Company is changing the face of Fashion Island due in part to the opening of a Dean & Delucca flagship store as well as the development of the Nordstrom store to launch in Spring 2010. This is the second re-invention of Fashion Island since its’ original launch and it has an amazing location that catches the beauty of the Pacific Ocean along with the cooling ocean breezes in this lush open-air mall.
Working off the feel of an Italian village, the Irvine Company is working on getting the entire center to look and feel just like an Italian village with fountains, outdoor sitting areas for casual conversations as well as outdoor seating for every restaurant as well as providing unusual vistas, seating and other tactile and visual aspects that give Fashion Island much more of that resort feeling.

Rendering of Atrium Court with the Water Wall Fountain.

Water Wall Fountain at Fashion Island
Recently I had a chance to talk to Nina Robinson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications and Jeff Dodd, Senior Vice President, Irvine Company Retail Properties

I managed to get this interview done as a podcast with Jeff Dodd walking me through all the photos and renderings (read sketches) of the architectural changes and facades of the buildings and the thematic changes to the center as well as explaining the point about the renovation and update of Fashion Island.

Podcast with Jeff Dodd, Senior Vice President , Retail Properties Division

Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales Courtyard & Paseo.
Here’s a rendering of the new Nordstrom paseo and courtyard which is changing that section of the Fashion Island completely.

Nordstrom will be opening in Spring 2010 and will be a major player in the Fashion Island scene.

Here’s one of the key points of interest already in place at Fashion Island — the koi pond and it’s not moving. It draws a lot of family crowds

A final aerial shot/rendering of the finished layout once the update on Fashion Island is complete. It’s quite different and will be a flagship for other shopping centers who wish to evolve to become a destination for more than just shopping but enjoying life.
The work on the shopping center has already started and doesn’t seem to be interfering with the people visiting the center. It’s really beautiful location and amazing views and incredible assortment of top boutiques, great specialty stores and top-notch restaurants make it a “must-see” center. Think of it as a day trip (movies are there too) because there’s so much to see and do!
Thank you to Jeff Dodd and Nina Robinson for the time and assistance. Thank you to Jane Gillespie for helping me assemble all the photos and renderings.
Stevie Wilson