UCLA has recently made a groundbreaking acquisition, transforming the former Westside Pavilion shopping mall in Los Angeles into the UCLA Research Park. The 700,000-square-foot property, located just 2 miles south of the Westwood campus, is set to become an engine of innovation, discovery, and economic growth for Southern California and beyond.

The UCLA Research Park will serve as a hub for scholars and industry experts from around the world, fostering collaboration and creating a nexus for groundbreaking discoveries and innovation. This transformation is made possible through an intended $500 million investment from the state of California, with $200 million already allocated for the project.

Key highlights of the project include housing the California Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy at UCLA and the UCLA Center for Quantum Science and Engineering. These multidisciplinary research centers will bring together programs across various disciplines, further enhancing the potential for groundbreaking advancements.

Chancellor Gene Block expressed his gratitude to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature for their support, emphasizing the transformative impact this acquisition will have on UCLA, the city, and the global society. The state investment, along with the support from founding donors, including Meyer Luskin, Dr. Gary Michelson, Dr. Eric Esrailian, Dr. Arie Belldegrun, Sean Parker, and Michael Milken, has been instrumental in making this ambitious project a reality.

Furthermore, Google, which previously leased part of the property, played a role in enabling and supporting UCLA’s acquisition. The favorable real estate market conditions have also contributed to the historic transformation of the former mall into a cutting-edge research and innovation hub.