LOS ANGELES — A piece of Los Angeles history is coming down in North Hollywood.
Demolition is underway at the former Valley Plaza shopping center, once the largest open-air shopping plaza on the West Coast and a symbol of post-war growth in the San Fernando Valley.
What You Need To Know
Valley Plaza opened in 1951 and was once the largest open-air shopping center on the West Coast
The plaza helped define LA’s auto-centric design, featuring thousands of parking spaces
Competition from newer malls, fractured ownership, and damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake caused its downfall
City leaders said the site could be redeveloped, potentially including affordable housing
The 17-acre site opened in 1951 and was built around a then-radical idea: the car.
Designed with thousands of parking spaces, Valley Plaza helped shape Los Angeles’ car-centric culture and became a retail hub for generations of Valley residents.
At its peak, the shopping center was home to major department stores and even drew a campaign stop from future President John F. Kennedy in 1960.
But over time, competition from newer shopping centers, fractured ownership, and damage from the 1994 Northridge earthquake contributed to the site’s decline.
After sitting vacant for years, Los Angeles city officials declared the property a public nuisance — clearing the way for demolition.
Now, attention is turning to what comes next.
City leaders said the property presents an opportunity at a time when Los Angeles is grappling with a housing shortage and budget pressures.
Council member Adrin Nazarian, who represents the area, said the priority is ensuring redevelopment happens quickly and serves community needs.
Even local historians said the urgency of housing can’t be ignored.
Evan Lovitt, creator of the popular social media account LA in a Minute, believes the site’s size and location make it a strong candidate for affordable housing — a future that honors the city’s past while addressing its present challenges.