A Sense of Place: That's The Point!

The Point, the Los Angeles' newest shopping and dining destination, opened with new stores, restaurants and an outdoor plaza.

The initial idea of The Point was to build a multi-use commercial space in the South Bay that felt more like a community park than a mall. Now that the space has opened, it’s obvious that this is a shopping/dining/lifestyle concept whose time has come.

Located near the border of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach, at the intersection of Rosecrans and Sepulveda, The Point is home to about 30 retail spaces. While each individual revenue center contains its own unique design elements, there is a common architectural language spoken by all of the spaces. That language says, "Laid-back, experiential, community focused, and coastal."

What makes The Point unique as a commercial destination is that the retail spaces are built around a breezy, lush, landscaped, 45,000-square-foot outdoor promenade. The outdoor space is filled with outdoor dining areas, fountains, lounge areas, fire pits, and even a space for performances, concerts and outdoor movies. The resulting atmosphere of the environment feels more like an incredibly hip, old-time main street than an urban shopping center.

The Point’s owner, Federal Realty Investment Trust, has often described the project as the “South Bay’s Living Room.” With more than 115,000-square-feet of retail space, 25,000-square-feet of 2nd floor office space, and the festival-like vibe of the outdoor plaza, the space does indeed feel multi-functional, family-friendly and community-centered; much like a living room.

The Point has attracted some heavy hitters in the food and beverage world, including Mendocino Farms, True Food Kitchen, hopdaddy and North Italia. Local Manhattan Beach food star Mike Simms, of MB Post fame, is on board as well, with his new concept, Craft Shack.
The retail spaces have been carefully filled with brands that are consistent with the feel of the space, and appropriate for the surrounding community. Athleta, Lucky Brand, Planet Blue and Lous & Grey are on board, as are health and fitness brands Soul Cycle and SIX:02 fitness.

The look and feel of The Point fits right in with the stylish, contemporary beach communities it serves. The modern design of the buildings relies on a natural feeling interplay between wood, stone and metal. The bright orange and navy blue palette evokes a carefree, relaxed sensibility, perfect for encouraging folks to stick around and enjoy the place.

And that word, place, is really what The Point is all about. Los Angeles has dozens of outdoor malls, but it’s rare that a commercial project contains within itself its own sense of place. Like Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, and even the Venice Beach Boardwalk, The Point succeeds in capturing the identity of is surroundings. By combining relevant commercial enterprises with an inviting, multi-use outdoor space, it encourages members of the community to frequent it for more than just commercial reasons.

The Point is a place folks can come to practice yoga. They can bring their kids to play in the children’s play area. They can come here to hang with the neighbors. While they’re doing all of those things they can also check out what’s new at their favorite shops, grab a snack, plan their next date night or even catch a show.

The Point offers 689 parking spots, and is now open at 850 S. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo, California 90245.

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