General Information
NFT Map: 2
Address: 8500 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: 310-854-0070
Website: www.beverlycenter.com
Shopping
Like a well-dressed phoenix rising from the ashes, the Beverly Center opened in 1982 to replace Kiddyland, a modest amusement park featuring a ferris wheel and pony rides. With its highly recognizable exterior escalators and plethora of bored housewives carrying pint-sized pets, this shopping stronghold is but an evolved version of Kiddyland. Despite the younger, scrappier Grove opening in 2002 and soaking up much of its limelight, the Beverly Center forges on and continues to be one of LA’s premier shopping destinations. When it was announced that H&M was coming to town, shopping centers lobbied for the honors the way most cities lobby to host the Olympics. The Beverly Center is now home to one of the still-rare LA locations of the famous discount retailer. Who needs gold medals when you can buy babydoll dresses for $19.99?
Today’s Beverly Center is something of a study in contrasts. Stores such as D&G, Louis Vuitton, Diesel, Dior, A/X Armani Exchange, Ben Sherman, and a brightly lit Bloomingdale’s cater to 21st-century America’s love affair with labels; but there’s a distinct middle-of-the-road factor at the Beverly Center, embodied by the presence (persistence?) of GNC, Macy’s, Brookstone, Sunglass Hut, and the rest of the chain gang. The scales may have been tipped on the luxe side with the closing of that staple of malls from coast to coast, the Gap. Shops like Forever 21, Claire’s, and Steve Madden and eateries like the Grand Lux Café remind us all that the survival of the mall as a species depends on its ability to attract teenage girls and out-of-towners.
Food
There are a few higher-end chains like The Capital Grille and Obika Mozzarella Bar where those who like uniformity in dining can lay down some serious cash. The eighth floor Food Court features all of the usual suspects (Auntie Anne’s, Sbarro’s, Panda Express, Starbucks, and the like). Patio seating is plentiful, non-smoking, and features an almost panoramic eastern view of the city. Street-level options include mall mainstays like CPK, PF Chang’s and Chipotle Mexican Grill.
Drawbacks
This is a fairly popular mall in a busy part of town; it’s bordered by another mall (the Beverly Connection) and a huge medical center (Cedars-Sinai). That’s why it’s a good idea to enter from the San Vicente (westernmost and least congested) side of the building. Although traffic flows well inside the mall, traffic in the parking lot does not. Stay cool—the good stuff’s waiting upstairs. Don’t be too intimidated by its size, because although it has eight levels, in classic LA style, five are parking. If it’s women’s clothes you’re after, be advised that the Beverly Center best serves those under the age of 30 and smaller than a size 10. Strangely there is no mall access to Bed, Bath and Beyond or the Macy’s Men’s Department—enter from the street or the valet parking area.
How to Get There—Driving
From the 10 in either direction, exit at La Cienega Boulevard. Head north on La Cienega for approximately 2.25 miles, and you’ll see the behemoth just ahead on your left. Cross 3rd Street and turn left into the mall at the next signal. From the 101 in either direction, exit Highland Boulevard and head south on Highland for approximately two miles until you hit Beverly Boulevard. Turn right onto Beverly, and head west about two miles to La Cienega Boulevard. Make a left onto La Cienega Boulevard, and an immediate right into the mall. The bus lines to Beverly Center are LADOT DASH Fairfax, Metro Bus 14, 16/316, 30/330, 105, 218, Metro Rapid 705, and West Hollywood CityLine.