Construction has officially begun on the first phase of the long-anticipated redevelopment of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, marking a major milestone for one of South Los Angeles’ most recognizable commercial and cultural landmarks. Mayor Karen Bass joined with City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Councilwoman Heather Hutt, developers and residents to celebrate the groundbreaking for Phase 1 of the project, launching work that will ultimately transform the 42-acre site into a large mixed-use district with housing, retail, office space and hospitality.
      The first stage of construction includes the demolition of the mall’s long-vacant former Sears building and the development of 92 new townhomes on a portion of the property bordered by Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Santa Rosalia Drive and Marlton Avenue.
      Developers say the homes represent the first portion of a larger residential plan for this section of the site. Approvals are already in place for a total of 290 housing units in this area, with 10 percent reserved for households earning between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income.
      “This investment represents an important step forward for South Los Angeles. We know that this is more than retail,” said Bass. “It’s about investing in the historic commercial corridor, and it’s about creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Hundreds of construction jobs will be created, as well as permanent jobs through retail and commercial uses.”
      “This project begins delivering the new homes that people have been waiting for,” said David Schwartzman, president and CEO of Harridge Development Group, the firm leading the redevelopment effort. “South Los Angeles has gone far too long without meaningful new housing development, and there is tremendous demand for quality housing in this part of the city.”
      While the first homes are now under construction, the overall redevelopment vision is significantly larger. Harridge, which purchased the mall property roughly five years ago, has entitlements that allow for a sweeping transformation of the site that could include as many as 961 residential units, approximately 330,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, more than 140,000 square feet of office space and up to 400 hotel rooms.
      Additional housing is also planned for the northern side of the property at Crenshaw Boulevard and 39th Street, where developers have proposed a 636-unit apartment complex as part of the broader redevelopment.
      Local leaders say the project represents a long-awaited investment in a community that has historically seen fewer large-scale developments than other parts of the city.
      For decades, the mall has served as one of the most important commercial hubs in Black Los Angeles. Located near the historic Magic Johnson Theatres — a pioneering chain of urban cinemas launched in the late 1990s — the plaza has long been both a shopping destination and a community gathering place in the Crenshaw district.
      For residents who have watched the property sit stagnant for years, the start of demolition and construction signals the beginning of a long-anticipated transformation.