University of California Transforms Westside Mall into UCLA Research Park

The University of California is transforming a former shopping mall into a vibrant destination for research and innovation in Los Angeles. Purchased for $700 million from Hudson Pacific Properties and Macerich in December of 2023, the reimagined Westside Pavilion will collocate the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy and the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering in the planned UCLA Research Park. With expansive floor plates for optimal flexibility, the 700,000-sf complex can accommodate a wide range of programmatic elements including labs, classrooms, offices, and collaboration spaces. An existing 12-screen cinema will be renovated to serve as a unique venue for lectures, events, and performances.

The Westside Pavilion was partially redeveloped between 2019 and 2023 to provide leased space for Alphabet, the parent company of Google, before a shift to hybrid work patterns effected a shift in corporate strategy. Gensler partnered with engineering firm Englekirk and MATT Construction to create One Westside, a highly sustainable facility that achieved LEED Gold certification. The three-level, 584,000 structure prioritizes human wellness with access to light-filled atria, a green roof deck, and numerous outdoor terraces.

Construction on the UCLA Research Park, which will also include Westside Two, is slated for completion in May of 2027. The project is made possible by a $500 million commitment from the state of California, as well as financial contributions from a group of founding donors.