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Don't we have enough tricked-out, over-the-top, strangely Disneyland-esque malls in L.A. to last...a lifetime? Rick Caruso has a different vision for Los Angeles malls and wants to expand the 15.5 acre Americana at Brand to two additional properties, according to the Glendale New-Press.
Caruso is hoping to expand his soulless mall empire by acquiring the Golden Key Hotel at 123 W. Colorado Blvd. and another property nearby. The two properties combined would add another 60,000 to 140,000 square feet to the already large outdoor Americana mall and would cost roughly $50 million.
Caruso's reason behind the mall-expansion-madness? "It really rounds out that corner there." He also believes it would remove blight and create jobs and is careful to point out that Americana would foot the bill for the changes.
Ray Patel, owner of the Golden Key Hotel sees it differently and is not going down without a fight. He views the potential Americana expansion as "just another hurdle" in an ongoing list of grievances and lawsuits against Caruso Affiliated.
The owner of the other property in question is willing to sell to Caruso if he's offered a reasonable price. Caruso isn't talking terms, but says "We're not looking to get a deep discount or take advantage of anyone."