Western Plaza was not just outdated. It was neglected, dirty, and unsafe. Despite being located in one of the wealthiest zip codes in Southern California, the property sat half-vacant, littered with trash, and surrounded by graffiti. The buildings were in disrepair, the parking lot was crumbling, and homeless individuals were living on-site. It was the kind of asset most investors overlook because of how bad it looked on the surface.

We approached it differently. This would not be just a cosmetic flip. It was a full-scale redevelopment designed to transform a neglected asset into a trophy retail center with long-term cash flow and institutional exit potential.  From the start, our plan was not to put a fresh coat of paint on a broken property, but to rebuild it from the ground up. We replaced all major systems. The electrical infrastructure was redone entirely to meet current code and tenant needs. New mechanical systems were installed. We added larger water and gas lines to support high-demand restaurant users and upgraded grease traps to meet health and safety requirements. These core improvements allowed us to attract better tenants and reduce operational risk for the long term.

We also regraded the site and installed new retaining walls to resolve elevation and drainage issues. The parking lots were fully demolished and replaced. Every piece of cracked concrete, broken lighting, and neglected landscaping was removed and rebuilt with permanence in mind. Oversized storefronts and full-glass façades were installed to create a modern look and feel. We designed and built a large-format monument sign along the main corridor to increase tenant visibility and drive-by exposure.

Alongside the physical transformation, we executed a deliberate leasing strategy. We targeted tenants in food, wellness, and essential services — categories that perform consistently and create daily traffic. The leasing plan prioritized national credit tenants and regional operators with strong brand recognition and durable business models. Each was selected for their ability to complement one another and serve the surrounding community. The result is a merchandising mix that reflects the affluence of the area and supports long-term rental growth.

The project is held within a single-purpose LLC, with West Hive Capital serving as the General Partner and our investors as Limited Partners. This structure allowed us to lead construction, leasing, and overall execution, while delivering full transparency, preferred returns, and shared profits to our investor group. The result is a stabilized, high-performing shopping center that is projected to exit at $26 million. The business plan was completed in under two years and is expected to more than double investor equity.