Opening of South Coast Plaza’s Long-Awaited Bridge Draws Near

For shoppers who are wondering when the bridge linking South Coast Plaza to the former Crystal Court will be finished, it should be ready for pedestrians in mid-August. The grand opening festivities, including a benefit gala and no doubt lots of other hoopla, will be in September.

C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the center’s owner, is hoping that the 611-foot walkway, along with a massive overhaul of the Bear Street annex and a collection of new tenants, will attract more shoppers to that smaller section of the center. As Crystal Court, the annex--now also called South Coast Plaza--never performed to expectations.

And Segerstrom is seeing that South Coast Plaza’s face lift does not go unnoticed. Earlier this year the center owner hired Rogers & Cowan, a high-profile public relations firm in Century City known for its celebrity clients, including Mel Gibson, Eddie Murphy and Geena Davis.