Macy’s unveils plans for giant home store

-- Jenifer Ragland

C.J. Segerstrom & Sons and Macy’s West unveiled plans Friday for a

first-of-its-kind Macy’s Home Store to be built at the old Macy’s Crystal

Court location in South Coast Plaza.

In a press briefing Friday morning, managing partner Henry Segerstrom

said the addition is one of the most significant components of the

company’s plans for a new South Coast Plaza.

C.J. Segerstrom & Sons is in the midst of a $150-million renovation of

the west wing of South Coast Plaza, formerly known as Crystal Court. The

improvements include a new Borders Books and Music, the largest Crate &

Barrel on the West Coast, which opened in November, and a foot bridge

connecting the new retail center with the main wing of South Coast Plaza,

said spokeswoman Debra Gunn-Downing.

Macy’s Home will cover 189,000 square feet and will utilize three levels

of the west wing on the corner of Bear and Sunflower streets. The facade

will be totally redone, mostly in glass, so customers can see inside the

store from the street.

When it is finished, which should be in August of this year, Macy’s Home

will be the largest home furnishings store in Southern California,

Gunn-Downing said.

It is a prototype store for Macy’s because the merchandise will be laid

out by lifestyle as opposed to type. For example, all casual dining wear

will be displayed next to casual furniture and formal dining wear next to

more formal furniture.

The existing South Coast Plaza Macy’s store is the third-highest grossing

store in the company’s chain, which is why the Costa Mesa shopping center

was a logical choice for the new concept, Gunn-Downing said.

“The Orange County market is underserved right now in furniture retail,

so this will be heavy on furniture,” she said.