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The Americana at Brand
AmericanaBrandSign.jpg
Americana signage
General information
Location Glendale, California
Address 889 Americana Way
Glendale, California 91210
Coordinates 34°08′38″N 118°15′23″W / 34.14389°N 118.25639°W / 34.14389; -118.25639
Construction started 2006
Opened May 2, 2008
Cost US$400 million+
Owner Caruso Affiliated
Technical details
Floor count 4
Design and construction
Architecture firm
  • Caruso Affiliated
  • CREO Industrial Arts
  • Romero Thorsen Design
Developer Caruso Affiliated
Other information
Number of stores 82
Number of anchors 6
Number of rooms
  • 242 apartments
  • 100 condominiums
Number of restaurants 32

The Americana at Brand is a large outdoor shopping center in Glendale, California. It's a fun place where you can find stores, restaurants, entertainment, and even homes. It was built and is run by a company called Caruso Affiliated. This company also created other popular spots like The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles.

The Americana at Brand has 82 shops, including well-known brands like Nordstrom and XXI Forever. You can also find many restaurants, such as Din Tai Fung. Besides shopping and dining, the complex has 100 condominiums and 242 luxury apartments where people live. It officially opened its doors on May 2, 2008.

The Americana at Brand
The Americana at Brand in Glendale

What is The Americana at Brand?

The Americana at Brand is designed to feel like a lively city center. It mixes different building styles and materials. There are also big open spaces in the middle of the complex. The buildings often look like old brick factories from the Industrial Revolution. This gives the area a unique and historic feel.

Even though it feels like a public park, most of The Americana at Brand is private property. This means the owners can set rules for visitors. For example, they have security guards who make sure people don't take professional photos without permission. Dogs are allowed in most areas, but not on the grassy parts. Each store decides if pets can come inside.

Community Discussions

Before The Americana at Brand was built, there were many discussions in Glendale for about four years. Some local shop owners worried that this new "lifestyle center" would take business away from stores on Brand Boulevard and at the Glendale Galleria. Other people were concerned about too much building and more traffic in the area.

Shops and Restaurants

The Americana at Brand offers a wide variety of places to shop and eat. Many of its stores and restaurants are also found at its sister center, The Grove.

Popular Stores

You can find a three-level Barnes & Noble bookstore here. Other popular shops include Apple, J.Crew, Kiehl's, Anthropologie, and a large Nordstrom. There's also a two-level H&M, Urban Outfitters, and Calvin Klein. For more upscale shopping, you might find stores like Tiffany & Co. and David Yurman.

Dining Options

When it comes to food, The Americana at Brand has something for everyone. You can enjoy popular spots like The Cheesecake Factory, Häagen-Dazs, and Shake Shack. There are also unique restaurants like Frida Mexican Cuisine and Trattoria Amici. Internationally known places like Din Tai Fung offer delicious food too.

Fun Attractions

Beyond shopping and eating, The Americana at Brand has special features that make it a fun place to visit.

The Dancing Fountain

One of the main attractions is the Waters of Americana. This is a musical fountain designed by WET, the same company that created the famous Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. The fountain performs a musical show every hour. In the center of the fountain's smaller pool, there's a golden statue. This statue is a copy of the Spirit of American Youth sculpture in France. It honors Americans who fought in World War II. This statue has become a symbol for The Americana at Brand.

Trolley Rides

The complex also has its own trolley car system. This battery-powered trolley takes visitors around the main square and the edge of the complex. It started running when The Americana at Brand opened in 2008. A retired Disney Imagineer, George F. McGinnis, designed these special trolley cars.

Holiday Season Fun

During the holiday shopping season, The Americana at Brand becomes even more magical.

Snow and Christmas Tree

Every evening, fake snow falls periodically, making it feel like a winter wonderland. In mid-November, a giant Christmas tree is put up. It's lit during an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and stays lit every evening through the holidays. This tree is often 100 feet tall or more, making it one of the tallest Christmas trees in Los Angeles County.

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