The $145 Million Overhaul: 5 Massive Changes Coming To Long Beach Towne Center

Long Beach Towne Center is on the verge of its most significant transformation in decades, following a massive nine-figure acquisition that signals a new era for the 870,000-square-foot retail giant. As of late 2025, the center, located on Carson Street in East Long Beach, is under new ownership with ambitious plans to revitalize the space, moving away from a traditional 'power center' model to a modern community hub. This major investment is set to dramatically change the shopping, dining, and entertainment experience for residents across the region.

The highly-anticipated redevelopment is driven by a focus on "placemaking" and retail curation, a strategy designed to elevate the guest experience and ensure the center remains a dominant regional shopping destination. The new owners are committed to integrating expanded dining options, enhanced public gathering areas, and a renewed focus on sustainability, promising a fresh, engaging environment for the Long Beach community in the coming years.

The New Era: Ownership and The $145 Million Vision

The biggest news surrounding the Long Beach Towne Center is the recent change in ownership and the immediate commitment to a substantial overhaul. In a deal announced in late 2025, the massive 100-acre complex was acquired for an estimated $143 million to $145 million.

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The buyers are a joint venture between two major real estate powerhouses: Costa Mesa-based CenterCal Properties and New York City-based DRA Advisors LLC.

CenterCal Properties, known for its expertise in creating community-focused retail destinations, has outlined a comprehensive strategy for the property. Their approach is focused on a concept known as "placemaking," which aims to transform the center from a purely transactional shopping venue into a vibrant social and communal space.

The 870,000-square-foot retail hub, one of the largest outdoor malls in Long Beach, will undergo a series of improvements including retail curation, food and beverage activations, and the creation of enhanced public gathering areas.

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1. Placemaking: Creating Community Hubs

The "placemaking" strategy is the core of the redevelopment plan. Instead of just focusing on anchor tenants and large retail boxes, CenterCal Properties will prioritize designs that encourage social interaction and meet the evolving needs of the local community.

This includes updating the common areas to be more inviting and functional, turning previously underutilized spaces into attractive spots for people to gather, relax, and socialize. The goal is to make the Towne Center a true destination, not just a place to run errands.

2. Expanded Food & Beverage Activations

A significant part of the new vision is a major expansion and upgrade of the center’s dining options. The plan calls for expanded food and beverage concepts, specifically mentioning the addition of more sit-down restaurants to complement the existing fast-casual and quick-service offerings.

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Current popular dining spots already include:

• Dave & Buster's (Entertainment Anchor)
• Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que (Sit-Down Dining)
• In-N-Out Burger
• Chick-fil-A (Approved for new drive-thru)
• Carl's Jr.
• Del Taco
• Jersey Mike's
• Fire Wings

Adding to this list, the Long Beach Planning Commission has already approved plans to bring a new El Pollo Loco restaurant to the center, further expanding the fast-casual options.

3. Retail Curation and Tenant Mix

The new ownership will implement a "retail curation" strategy, meaning they will carefully select and position tenants to create a more cohesive and appealing shopping experience. This curated approach is designed to elevate the retail mix and enhance the overall value proposition for visitors.

The Long Beach Towne Center is already anchored by a strong foundation of major national retailers and big-box stores, providing stable cash flow and a high volume of traffic. These key tenants, or entities, include:

• Walmart
• Sam's Club
• Barnes & Noble
• DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
• Ashley Furniture HomeStore
• Bob's Discount Furniture
• PetSmart
• Old Navy
• Bath & Body Works
• America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses

The revitalization efforts will likely focus on attracting more specialty retail and service-based businesses to fill any existing vacancies and diversify the current offerings. The goal is to create a dynamic environment where the mix of stores is as important as the individual stores themselves.

Beyond Shopping: Sustainability and Future Outlook

The redevelopment of the Long Beach Towne Center is not solely focused on commerce and entertainment; it also includes a commitment to modern infrastructure and environmental responsibility. The reimagined center aims to integrate sustainability into its future developments, prioritizing investments that reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term, responsible operation.

This forward-thinking approach is critical for a large-scale property and aligns with the growing demand from consumers for businesses that prioritize green initiatives. Enhancements will include updated infrastructure and possibly features like energy-efficient lighting and water conservation measures.

The Long Beach Towne Center, situated strategically on Carson Street, has long been a dominant retail force in the area. With CenterCal Properties and DRA Advisors at the helm, the massive investment and ambitious placemaking plans promise to secure its position as a premier regional shopping center for years to come. The community can anticipate a phased transformation that will deliver a richer, more engaging, and more modern experience than ever before.