BULLOCK'S FASHION SQUARE (Del Amo)
West Carson Street and Hawthorne Boulevard
Torrance, California

Ground was broken for the Bullock's Realty Company's third FASHION SQUARE project in July 1965. This BULLOCK'S FASHION SQUARE, like the two sibling centers that preceded it, was an open-air venue. It occupied a 57-acre site, located 20.5 miles southwest of center city Los Angeles, in suburban Torrance.

The original center was designed by Welton Becket & Associates and was anchored by the 4-level (250,000 square foot) Bullock's Del Amo, which opened September 12, 1966. Fifteen stores were in operation at the mall's official dedication, which was held October 31, 1966. The final store, a 1-level (25,000 square foot) I. Magnin, opened its doors March 6, 1967.

Charter BULLOCK'S FASHION SQUARE (Del Amo) tenants included Desmond's apparel, Music Man Del Amo, Bell's Gifts, Ranchito Grill and the La Casita ("little house") community center, which accommodated seventy guests.

In 1969 the complex was sold to Los Angeles-based developer Guilford Glazer, who soon initiated a 100 million dollar redevelopment project. The existing center would be fully-enclosed and an East Wing of stores built. The addition was designed by the firm of Burke, Kober, Nicolais & Archuleta, of Los Angeles.

A 2-level (160,000 square foot) Montgomery Ward began business April 28, 1971. This was followed by the dedication of a 2-level (150,000 square foot), New York City-based Ohrbach's, on August 9, 1971, and United Artists Del Amo 4 multiplex, which showed its first features on August 18. The refurbished and expanded mall, which housed 160 stores and services, was officially known as DEL AMO FASHION SQUARE.

A subsequent renovation and expansion was announced in September 1977 and was dedicated November 20, 1981. It linked DEL AMO FASHION SQUARE with DEL AMO CENTER, which was directly south of the complex. The amalgamated mall, known as DEL AMO FASHION CENTER, would be the nation's largest shopping mall for the next 20 years.

Sources:

The Los Angeles Times
movie-theatre.org / Mike Rivest
www.delamofashioncenter.com
Los Angeles County tax assessor website
"Del Amo Fashion Center" article on Wikipedia