Developers in many cities across the US have been trying to revive dying malls and retail districts by transforming them into mixed-use complexes, where residents can shop, live and be entertained all in one place.
But Glendale, California, has a 16-year head start on this type of development, whereas cities like Chicago, Washington D.C. and Dallas are still playing catch up.
The luxurious Americana at Brand opened in 2008 and boasts hundreds of apartments, high-profile retail shops, restaurants, an AMC movie theater, sprawling lawns where families can picnic, and a fountain designed by the same people who crafted the one at the Bellagio resort in Las Vegas.
The community even has its own dedicated trolley system to get around, and all of it – the rooftop pools with cabanas, private party rooms and a continental garden – is contained in Glendale, a crowded city on the outskirts of even more congested Los Angeles.
All 242 apartment units sit above the dozens of shops, with one longtime resident telling SFGate she lives right on top of the Cheesecake Factory.
The outside of Americana at Brand shopping mall in Glendale, California
An overhead view of the lively mixed-use community. To the right, is the Cheesecake Factory
Pictured: Americana’s trolley that weaves throughout the shopping district
Valentina Sahakian, 56, said her journey to the Americana began after living in her Glendale home for 14 years.
By then, she missed apartment living and when the mall opened, she and her family visited often, so much so that she began looking into buying a townhome nearby.
Instead, she rented the apartment above the chain restaurant for six months at first, just to see if she liked it.
That was July 2012, and she’s been there ever since.
According to Americana’s website, residents have access to a whole host of enticing amenities.
This includes 24-hour-access to a private fitness club, concierge services, home delivery from all restaurants within the mall, and free valet parking.
All of this comes at a hefty price though. Specifically, residents shell out 30 percent above market rate for rent in the area.
And units don’t open up very often because of the high demand.
Right now, there are only seven apartments available. The cheapest one you’ll find is a 734-square-foot studio on the top floor for $3,600 a month.
A two bed, two bath apartment, also on the top floor, will become available on November 13. Rent for the 1,084 square foot space, balcony included, is set for $5,850 a month.
Pictured: The private rooftop swimming pool for residents, complete with custom lounge chairs and cabanas
Apartments with balconies are situated above the many shops
A man looks out at what is arguably the centerpiece of the community: the fountain
The Americana goes all out for Christmas, putting up decorations all over the shopping district
Sahakian told the SFGate she loves the convenience of her lifestyle, now that she’s able to easily grab a glass of wine at any one of the mall’s many restaurants or attend things like bingo or movie night.
Her husband, 61, is pilot and is often gone for long periods of time, which makes living in a lively community with 24/7 security an additional bonus for her.
She said the homes are great for her age group. Many of her friends are empty nesters, with kids who have recently moved out, leaving them alone in big houses.
Sahakian convinced her sister-in-law to move into the Americana after she became a widow a few years ago, reports SFGate.
Caruso, the private luxury real estate company led by by billionaire Rick Caruso, spent $400 million to create what some residents believe is ‘the future in a modern society.’
According to Caruso, at least 24 percent of Americana residents have lived there for more than five years. About 17 percent have been there for more than 10 years.
Sahakian said her family plans to stay there as long as they can.
Rick Caruso, pictured in April 11, 2008, stands above the famed Americana fountain and the Cheesecake Factory. This was shortly after the $400 million complex was completed
Residents appreciate how pedestrian-friendly Americana is and find that people are happy
Jores Grigorian, another resident, told SFGate that Americana is pedestrian-friendly, which gives it a ‘European feel.’
Like Sahakian, he lived in a house in Glendale for decades before finally getting a taste of what the hot new luxury development had to offer.
He went to a friend’s party at an Americana apartment shortly after it opened and really liked the place.
Years later, he needed to move, so he checked it out again and was again, impressed.
‘I really think there’s a real reason why European communities are happy,’ Grigorian said. ‘It’s because there are people who live very close to each other, possibly above a supermarket or the shops.’
Grigorian, who’s in his 50s has lived there for eight years now, one of the longest periods he’s lived in any one place.
He, like others who live in the community, appreciates the fact that there are cameras everywhere and plenty of security.
Visitors gather to appreciate the water show at the fountain
Live music is a common occurrence at Americana, according to its website
Grigorian said Rick Caruso successfully created ‘a family-based community full of regular people who want security and a sense of stability.’
‘I wish someone like Rick Caruso could make one in every ZIP code,’ he said. ‘If he just emulates and copies what he did with the Americana, that’s the future in a modern society.’
Due to the success of Americana, Caruso CEO Corinne Verdery told SFGate that almost all the company’s future retail endeavors will include residential accommodations.
Caruso already operates other malls in Southern California, such as the The Grove and the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort in Montecito.
Caruso has even introduced its own credit-card-style rewards program that give members points back for spending at Caruso properties – and that includes rent.
So called ‘Caruso coins’ can get Americana residents money off on a restaurant outing or could be saved over time to fund a ritzy stay at the Miramar resort.