Postmodern-style malls, once icons of splendor and spectacle, are vanishing fast and are dismissed as outdated, unserious, and “dead.” This thesis reclaims their architectural and cultural value as heritage sites worthy of conservation. Focusing on Southern California, it examines Horton Plaza, Westside Pavilion, and Universal City Walk to explore adaptive reuse, historic tax credits, and community-driven placekeeping. From punchy pastels to mall walkers to movie cameos, these spaces hold layered memories and civic meaning. By developing a toolkit tailored to the unique challenges of both PoMo and mall design, the thesis argues for an expanded preservation ethic that embraces color, complexity, and community memory in the commercial landscape.
