Irvine Spectrum Center
{{Primary sources|article|date=June 2010}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{infobox shopping mall
| name = Irvine Spectrum Center
| image = Irvine Spectrum Center (2013) 12.jpg
| image_width = 300
| caption = The "Giant Wheel" at the Irvine Spectrum Center as seen from across I-5 in December 2013
| location = Irvine, California, U.S.
| coordinates = {{coord|33.650378|-117.743504|type:landmark_region:US_dim:2km|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| opening_date = {{start date and age|1995|11|22}}
| architect = {{ubl|Perkowitz & Ruth (Phase 1)|RTKL Associates (Phase 2)|B.A.R. Architects (Phase 3)|Unknown Architect (Phases 4-6)}}
| developer = The Irvine Company
| number_of_stores = 152
| number_of_anchors = 2
| floor_area =
| website = {{URL|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.{{cite web|title=Irvine Spectrum Center Movies|url=http://www.irvinespectrumcenter.com/entertainment/movies/theater-features/|website=Irvine Spectrum Center|access-date=28 November 2016}} 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.
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.{{cite news|last1=Huffstetter|first1=P.J.|title=Game for a Fresh Look|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jun-22-fi-62410-story.html|access-date=February 10, 2016|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=22 June 1998}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-0108-macys-closing-20160107-story.html|title=Macy's at Irvine Spectrum Center to close and be replaced by 20 new stores|first=Alex|last=Chan|date=7 January 2016|via=Los Angeles Times}}
=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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2017}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-16 |title=REGAL Reopens Multi-Million Dollar Makeover of IRVINE SPECTRUM THEATRE |url=https://www.latfusa.com/article/2020/09/regal-reopens-multi-million-dollar-makeover-of |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=LATF USA NEWS |language=en-US}}
=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.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}
Design
The architecture of the property is based on Moroccan and Moorish architecture, figuring most prominently in the center's second phase, which is based on the design of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain.{{cite web |url=http://www.summerinspain.net/stuff-to-see-and-do/alhambra/ |title=Alambra – the Alhambra of Granada |access-date=2011-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308101308/http://www.summerinspain.net/stuff-to-see-and-do/alhambra/ |archive-date=2011-03-08 |url-status=dead }}
The center is car dependent, with the center itself surrounded by at least 2,300 parking spaces.{{cite web|url=https://en.parkopedia.com/parking/garage/spectrum_center/92618/irvine/?arriving=202112181330&leaving=202112181530|title = Spectrum Center - Parking Garage}}
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.
{{cite web |url=https://www.visitcalifornia.com/experience/irvine-spectrum-center |title=Irvine Spectrum Center |website=visitcalifornia.com |date=3 October 2016 |access-date=July 26, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://shop-eat-surf.com/2013/05/2007-10-what-s-up-with-the-spectrum-s-giant-wheel/ |title=What's up with the Spectrum's Giant Wheel |website=shop-eat-surf.com |date=May 13, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-dec-27-fi-5090-story.html |title=Ferris Wheel at Irvine Spectrum Part of 'Shopertainment' Addition |website=Los Angeles Times |first=Leslie |last=Earnest |date=December 27, 2000 |access-date=July 26, 2020}} It has a carousel fabricated in San Francisco.{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Ice rinks pop up around Orange County |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2022/11/29/ice-rinks-pop-up-around-orange-county |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Orange County Register |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Irvine Spectrum Center Holiday Ice Rink |url=http://asecenters.com/irvine-spectrum-center-holiday-ice-rink/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=American Sports Entertainment Centers |language=en}} The ice rink makes an annual appearance in the outdoor shopping center located directly in front of the ferris wheel.{{Cite web |title=Details |url=https://www.irvinespectrumcenter.com/events-promotions/details |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=Irvine Spectrum Center |language=en-US}}
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.
[https://www.irvinespectrumcenter.com/dining/restaurants/hello-kitty-cafe]
Gallery
File:Irvine Spectrum Center (2013) 23.jpg|The stage for Disney Magical Holiday Lights
File:Fountain at Irvine Spectrum.jpg|An illuminated fountain, designed after the Alhambra's Court of the Lions
File:Irvine Spectrum Center (2013) 18.jpg|The carousel
File:Irvine Spectrum Center (2013) 09.jpg|A parking structure entrance showing the number of available spaces
In popular culture
The center was used for establishing shots of the fictional "Mall of Miami" in the Disney Channel television series Austin & Ally.
References
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{{Irvine, California}}
{{Shopping malls in California}}
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Category:Buildings and structures in Irvine, California
Category:Postmodern architecture in California
Category:Shopping malls in Orange County, California