The Bloc, Los Angeles

The Bloc (stylized as THE BLOC) is a mixed-use development, situated on the site of the former Macy's Plaza and Broadway Plaza in the heart of Downtown LA. This large, modern complex incorporates office spaces, retail stores, and a thoughtfully curated selection of good restaurants and entertainment venues.

The Bloc was originally built in the 1970s as an open-air mall called the "Mall of Downtown Los Angeles," but it was later enclosed and renamed "The Broadway Plaza" after being acquired by The Broadway department store chain. The Broadway Plaza was a popular shopping destination for many years but fell into decline in the 1990s due to the increased competition from other malls and the overall economic downturn in the area. The mall remained largely vacant by the early 2000s.

In 2013, The Ratkovich Company, a real estate development firm, purchased the venue and began an extensive renovation and redevelopment project. The goal was to transform the struggling mall into a modern, urban destination that would appeal to both locals and tourists.

The Bloc officially reopened in 2015 after a $160-million renovation project that included a complete redesign of the interior, the addition of new retail and dining options, and the construction of a state-of-the-art office tower (designed to accommodate a variety of businesses, from small startups to large corporations), fitness center, and a luxury movie theater. Today, The Bloc features more than 400,000 square feet of retail space, including flagship stores for major brands like Macy's and Nordstrom, as well as a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues.

One of its standout features is an open-air plaza that hosts a variety of community events throughout the year, including live music performances, outdoor movie screenings, and art installations. The plaza is surrounded by several restaurants and bars, making it a popular gathering spot.

Owners have been working on making The Bloc more social-media-friendly, so you're encouraged to stop by and bring your selfie-loving cameras or check the website for concerts/movie screenings of interest. The outside seating area is particularly nice and photo-worthy, similar to New York's Meatpacking District, with a Cali touch.