Plans for new Bella Terra OKd by city

Paul Clinton

The city’s planning director has approved the full-scale renovation of

Huntington Center Mall. The project has also been given a ritzy Italian

name.

The approval means developers have a green light to build Bella Terra,

as it will be known. It will be modeled after an Italian villa.

Planning Director Howard Zelefsky has signed off on plans for an

open-air retail and dining center for the languishing mall in the vein of

Pasadena’s Paseo Colorado.

Construction is set to begin this fall on the $140-million project

that will include four major courtyards, a 4,000-seat, outdoor

amphitheater and a 20-screen movie theater with stadium seating.

Co-developers J.H. Snyder Co. and the Ezralow Co. teamed with

architects from the Jerde Partnership to create the make-over for the

run-down mall that now draws few shoppers.

The mall is on a 63-acre parcel of land at Edinger Avenue and Beach

Boulevard.

Plans are in the works for face-lift remodeling to Burlington Coat

Factory, Mervyn’s and the former Broadway department store.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers and the other shops on the east end of the

center will also receive new facades.

All the other buildings in the center will be demolished.

Bella Terra will also include more trees and other landscaping,

fountains and public artwork.