Business Journal showcases L.A. professionals who are sold on retail property development.
DEVELOPER
Mac Chandler, 44
Managing Director, Pacific Region
Regency Centers Corp., downtown L.A. office
From his downtown L.A. office, Mac Chandler manages the West Coast portfolio of Regency Centers Corp., a Jacksonville, Fla., owner of more than 400 shopping centers nationwide, including 20 in Los Angeles County. Chandler has overseen the construction or renovation of Slauson Central, Granada Village and three major developments in Valencia – Crossroads, Westridge Village and Hasley Canyon Village. He has worked for Regency since 1997, except for a two-year stint from 2007 to 2009 when he ran his own company, Chandler Partners.
Why Retail: I love the endless learning curve. Retail is constant in that it is always evolving – new tenants, new trends and new formats. Unlike other real estate sectors, in retail you can see tenants’ sales to reveal a project’s success or failure.
How I Started: In the early 1990s, I planned to develop a 100,000-square-foot office building in the media district in Burbank. When the project was opposed by neighbors, we developed a retail center instead. I’ve been hooked on retail ever since.
What I’m Doing Now: We are currently redeveloping our Granada Village Shopping Center in Granada Hills. The $16 million project will transform a 1960s vintage center into a contemporary retail spot. Next year, we’ll redevelop the Park Plaza center in San Pedro, now in the planning stages.
Best Career Moment: Between 2004 and 2007, I moved to the Northeast, and developed retail centers in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. It got me out of my comfort zone in Los Angeles and opened my eyes to new trends, especially more creative mixed-use projects and transit-oriented development. It was like peering into the future of Los Angeles.
Best Thing About L.A. County Retail: As Los Angeles ages, opportunities to redevelop aging properties will increase.
Worst Thing: Retail thrives when employment increases. L.A. jobs are not growing fast enough.
Favorite Projects I Didn’t Work On: Brentwood Country Mart. It’s very clever and ahead of its time. Also, I appreciate the Grove. I fondly remember riding my bike as a boy to Gill’s Ice Cream at the Farmers Market.
Dream Project: Bringing a Whole Foods Market to La Canada.
My Colleagues Don’t Know: I was born at Good Samaritan Hospital, located just four blocks from the office where I work.
