Caruso Creates Traffic for Lunar New Year

With shopping centers looking for experiences to increase foot traffic, Caruso held Lunar New Year celebrations at its biggest retail centers. Americana at Brand General Manager James Little, who has worked in his position since last February, told the Business Journal that “for so many of our neighbors and locals, the Lunar New Year (which is celebrated in many Asian cultures) is the biggest occasion of the year.” Beginning Jan. 27, the mall welcomed UCLA’s award-winning dance team Koreos and traditional Chinese and Korean performances by local dance academies such as Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Academy. “We collaborated with Ktown Night Market to bring in Asian-inspired food and drinks from specialty vendors including Belly Bombz and Momma Fung & Company,” Little said. “Several of our Americana tenants participated as well, including See Eyewear, Lemonade and & Other Stories.” Little singled out the Lion Dance, performed by Wong Tai Sin Lion Dance Group, as a performance highlight. “Based on the cheers, I think the crowds agreed,” he said. “It’s significance to the Lunar New Year – bringing good fortune and prosperity – along with its beautiful colors and high energy made it really enjoyable for all.” As Little noted, the popularity of Asian cuisine destinations at the downtown Glendale shopping complex is evergreen. “We continue to see tremendous response to Din Tai Fung, which was just named as a top Glendale dining destination by Eater, as well as Katsuya, which offers contemporary and traditional Japanese,” Little said. Elevar in Tarzana Cushman & Wakefield and Colliers International Group Inc. have announced that the 4.3-acre site at 18362-18424 Oxnard St. is slated for redevelopment into a creative offices. The campus with studio capabilities will be named Elevar. According to a Cushman spokesperson, Alvarez & Marsal Capital Real Estate LLC recently acquired the Tarzana property — which currently consists of four standalone flex and industrial buildings totaling 73,045 square feet — situated at Oxnard Street and Reseda Boulevard. New construction will bring the complex’s total to 96,500 square feet. The planned creative office campus will feature an abundance of upscale workplace amenities, from wifi-enabled patios and artisanal café to Metro Orange Line access. Cushman & Wakefield’s Rob Hooks, Katie Bernhisel and Dillon Moscone, in partnership with Colliers International’s Kevin Fenenbock and Jacob Mumper, will serve as the property’s leasing agents. No price tag for Elevar has been disclosed. Project managers are targeting a mid-November completion. The new buildings’ construction starts in June, a Cushman & Wakefield spokesperson told the Business Journal. Josker to Colliers David Josker has left CBRE Group Inc. to join Colliers International Group Inc. as president of its Southwest Region. Until recently, Josker served as managing director of CBRE’s Los Angeles North Region in Glendale, where he led more than 200 professionals. He previously served as CBRE’s managing director of Asset Services for Greater Los Angeles, overseeing more than 90 million square feet under management. Before joining CBRE, Josker worked for developer Rick Caruso at Caruso Affiliated Holdings (today known as Caruso). “Attracting a high-caliber brokerage leader like David is more evidence of our commitment to grow and evolve our U.S. business,” said Colliers Chief Operating Officer of U.S. Operations Gil Borok in a Jan. 24 statement. Canoga Playhouse Rescued Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield announced Jan. 9 that his office closed escrow Dec. 24 on Clyde Porter West Valley Playhouse, a 150-seat theater at 7242 Owensmouth Ave. in Canoga Park, which was on the verge of shutting down after 20 years. The city purchased the property utilizing $1.4 million in excess Community Redevelopment Agency bond funds, which are required to be spent within Canoga Park and Reseda. The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs will operate the structure. Clyde Porter, late president of P.L. Porter Co., a Woodland Hills-based manufacturer, had purchased the site in 2000, eventually leasing the space to West Valley Playhouse, run by Artistic Producing Director Jon Berry. Staff Reporter Michael Aushenker can be reached at (818) 316-3123 or [email protected].