The LAB Anti-Mall
Reimagining a legacy retail destination through strategic redevelopment and next-generation tenant curation.
( Location )
Costa Mesa, CA
( Project Type )
Redevelopment, Portfolio Strategy, Leasing Strategy, Tenant Curation
( Services )
LEASING, REPOSITIONING STRATEGY, TENANT CURATION, NEGOTIATIONS, MERCHANDISING PLAN AND NEGOTIATION
( Status )
Active and Ongoing Leasing Assignment
OUTCOMES
Key GLA demised into multiple small shop opportunities
First-to-market restaurant, wellness, fashion, and design concepts introduced
Expanded merchandising flexibility not available in more than two decades
Portfolio-wide leasing and repositioning strategy established and achieved across assets not only at The LAB, but portfolio of projects spanning Anaheim to Laguna Beach for Ownership
OBJECTIVES
The LAB Anti-Mall has long been shaped by the vision and hands-on stewardship of a private family ownership deeply rooted in Costa Mesa. For decades, leasing and tenant curation were managed internally — guided by instinct, operational depth, and a commitment to preserving the project’s independent spirit.
As the portfolio matured, a rare redevelopment opportunity emerged. For the first time in more than 25 years, a significant portion of the project was recaptured, creating a depth of possibility within a tight and culturally significant environment.
Recognizing the inflection point, The LAB engaged US Retail to help shape the next chapter. The goal was not reinvention, but elevation — to thoughtfully stretch the project’s framework, introduce new first-to-market concepts, and ensure the redevelopment strengthened The LAB’s identity for years to come.
APPROACH
Our work began with deep respect for what already existed. The LAB’s identity is not manufactured — it is earned through years of careful curation and community connection. Any evolution requires sensitivity and discipline.
We conducted a comprehensive review, assessing merchandising balance, adjacency relationships, category depth, and long-term positioning across Lab Co’s assets. From there, we focused on the redevelopment opportunity within The LAB — a reclaimed anchor footprint that had not meaningfully shifted in over 25 years.
Together with ownership, US Retail helped to unlock a new layer of flexibility within a project historically defined by fixed footprints. This shift allowed for intentional curation across restaurant, wellness, fashion, and design — introducing first-to-market brands capable of elevating the experience while aligning with The LAB’s creative DNA.
WHERE STRATEGY MEETS RESULTS
We’d love to learn more about your goals and how we can help.