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_12.jpg) The "Giant Wheel" at the Irvine Spectrum Center as seen from acrossI-5 in December 2013 | |
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| Location | Irvine, California, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°39′01″N117°44′37″W / 33.650378°N 117.743504°W /33.650378; -117.743504 |
| Opening date | November 22, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-11-22) |
| Developer | The Irvine Company |
| Architect |
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| No. of stores and services | 152 |
| No. ofanchor tenants | 2 |
| Website | irvinespectrumcenter |
TheIrvine Spectrum Center is alifestyle center developed by theIrvine Company, located in theIrvine Spectrum district on the southeast edge ofIrvine, California, United States. The center featuresNordstrom andTarget department stores, aferris wheel, and aRegal Cinemas 21-screen movie theater.[1] 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.
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 ofEdwards Cinemas' 21-screen multiplex, Oasis Food Court, andGameWorks.[2] The second phase opened in 1998. The mall'scarousel 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 andNordstrom. Robinsons-May was re-branded asMacy's in 2006 after it was bought by Macy's. Another expansion opened in 2006, addingTarget 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 byPei Cobb Freed & Partners, was completed. At 323 feet tall, 200 Spectrum Center is the tallest building in Orange County.[3] Since 2003, askating rink has been offered during the winter months, adjacent to the Giant Wheel. Macy's closed its Irvine Spectrum location in 2016.[4]
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] 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-screenAMC Theatresmegaplex atThe 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.[5]
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 designedApple Store, a two-storyH&M, and 18 new stores and restaurants.[4]
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]
The architecture of the property is based onMoroccan andMoorish architecture, figuring most prominently in the center's second phase, which is based on the design of theAlhambra inGranada,Spain.[3]
The center iscar dependent, with the center itself surrounded by at least 2,300parking spaces.[6]
A whiteobelisk, 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.
In 2002, the Irvine Spectrum Center added aFerris 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.[7][8][9] It has acarousel fabricated in San Francisco.[citation needed]
During the holiday season, theAnaheim Ducks sponsor a 47 feet wide by 72 feet longice skating rink at the Irvine Spectrum Center open to all ages.[10][11] The ice rink makes an annual appearance in the outdoor shopping center located directly in front of the ferris wheel.[12]
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.[1]
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The center was used forestablishing shots of the fictional "Mall of Miami" in theDisney Channel television seriesAustin & Ally.