 View of the Malibu Country Mart | |
 | |
| Location | Malibu, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Address | 3835 Cross Creek Road |
| Owner | Koss Real Estate Investments |
| Stores and services | 67 |
| Floor area | Approx. 82,000 square feet (7,600 m2) |
| Floors | 1-2 |
| Website | malibucountrymart |
TheMalibu Country Mart (also theCountry Mart orMCM) is a large outdoorlifestyle center or "boutiquemall" located in the heart of Malibu at theCivic Center ofMalibu, California. The center features a popular publicplayground, outdoor dining andpicnic area, unique sculptures andpublic art, multiplerestaurant options, freeWi-Fi, and on-siteparking.
The Malibu Country Mart encompasses 6 acres (24,000 m2) of land in the heart of the Malibu Civic Center and comprises approximately 90,000 square feet (8,400 m2) of high-end retail, dining, and service providers. Its buildings are a mix of architectural styles, displaying Spanish, Mediterranean, modern, and rustic influences. Other features of the property include uniquegardens andsculptures, outdoor dining and picnic areas, and a children's playground.[1]
Because of its high end retailers, the Malibu Country Mart has been a destination for the famous and the well-heeled who inhabit the beachfront property west of Los Angeles. The Malibu Civic Center area is the primary local gathering place, known for being frequented by locals and visitors, alike. Some reports suggest that the area has also become an increasingly popular venue forpaparazzi.
Limited development and high demand continue to lead to risingreal estate prices, and in turn lead to a market in which each successive generations of property buyers is typically wealthier than the one that preceded them. These demographic trends help to explain both a burgeoning market forluxury goods and a diminishing market for prosaic and practical homegoods. Some in Malibu are said to express concern that there will be a "multitude of places to buy a $200 t-shirt, but no place to buy a hammer or a nail."[2]
The Malibu Country Mart is located one block off thePacific Coast Highway in the heart of the Malibu Civic Center, minutes away fromPepperdine University,Malibu High School (MHS), and theMalibu Pier.
The property is approximately 20 minutes fromWest Los Angeles, theCity of Santa Monica, theSan Fernando Valley, and theConejo Valley.
The property was purchased in 1986 by Koss Companies, now known asKoss Real Estate Investments.[3]
Directly adjacent to the Malibu Country Mart is a currently vacant, 20-acre (81,000 m2) plot of land formerly owned by billionaire media tycoon and Colony residentJerry Perenchio and sold to the City of Malibu in 2005 with strictdeed restrictions prohibiting any commercial use.[4][5]
Current plans for the site involve the development of a state-of-the-art park that is said to work as an "environmental cleaning machine", reducing pollution impacts in Malibu Creek, Malibu Lagoon, and the world-famous Surfrider Beach while simultaneously improving water quality, restoring a nativeriparian habitat, and preserving open space. The project will be linked by a "linear park" to the neighboring Surfrider Beach, Malibu Pier, Malibu Lagoon, and Malibu Bluffs Park.[6][7]
Between Cross Creek Road and Webb Way east to west, and between Civic Center Way and PCH north to south, it has been the site of the annual Labor Day Weekend Chili Cook-Off festival since 1982.[8]
The Malibu Country Mart has 67merchants encompassing a variety of upscaleboutiques,restaurants,spa services, and art galleries. Many new tenants have signedleases at the Malibu Country Mart in recent years.
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