Santa Monica Pedestrian Mall Wants People to Hang Out

Updates are coming to the Third Street Promenade as it seeks to innovate the retail experience.

1 minute read

March 20, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Third Street Promenade Santa Monica

Shinya Suzuki / Flickr

Changes are in store for the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California, reports Merle Ginsberg. In 1989, the pedestrian mall opened after a two-year renovation and it was a model for similar ventures around the world. But it has not received much of an update in the past three decades and sales have declined in recent years.

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. partnered with the research firm Gehl to find out what improvements could be made to attract visitors. They found that people want moveable chairs and more color, writes Ginsberg:

You can see signs of new life already. Adirondack chairs in yellow, teal, and blue are arranged in groups on the sidewalk. Chairs that spin like tops add some kid-oriented fun—as do new movable platforms covered in fake grass. 

With the Expo Line now connecting downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica, the area has seen an uptick in the number of visitors. The recent redesign efforts are focused on drawing people to the Third Street Promenade but also on getting them to spend time and, ultimately, more money there.

"Right now, public meetings are being conducted to decide which of the Gehl report scenarios will be amenable to the city, property owners, building owners, and of course, the public," says Ginsberg.

Friday, March 8, 2019 in Los Angeles Magazine

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.