Introduction to the Mystery
The lights are on and the stores are open, but it’s quiet — not a soul in sight — as if people had only enough time to flee whatever befell this place. A faint smell of sewage drifts through the air. Escalators are frozen. The lower levels of the parking garage are sterile and lifeless — a liminal space of flickering lights and zero cars.
The State of Mall Culture
But it’s not a scene from the post-apocalypse. It’s Mission Viejo, year 2025, at Kaleidoscope, the loneliest living mall in Southern California. Mall culture is still thriving in parts of Southern California, where supercenters such as South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, the Grove in L.A., Fashion Valley in San Diego, and Westfield Century City draw tens of millions of shoppers annually. Others, such as Laguna Hills Mall and Brea Mall, faded in the era of internet shopping and are being converted into mixed-use spaces.
An escalator awaiting service at Kaleidoscope Mall in Mission Viejo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
The Uniqueness of Kaleidoscope
But there aren’t many places like Kaleidoscope, which never quite found its footing over the course of 27 years but has refused to die. On a Tuesday afternoon in March, no more than a handful of people wander through the 243,000-square-foot complex on Crown Valley Parkway, looming over Interstate 5. Some are moviegoers heading to the Regal Theater attached to the mall. Most are employees heading to staff empty shops and restaurants that likely won’t see a customer for hours.
The Experience of Visiting Kaleidoscope
There are businesses aplenty, but no customers. “It’s a ghost town,” said Sarah Akers. “This place is unbelievable.” Akers, 35, said she used to visit the complex when she was younger. It was rarely packed, but at least it always felt open. Now, as she strolls through Kaleidoscope’s Union Market — a food hall-type space with retail, restaurants and a bar — she’s not even sure if she’s allowed to be in there. “The doors are open, the lights are on,” she said. “Why does it feel like I’m trespassing?”
The Kaleidoscope Mall is located at Crown Valley Parkway and the 5 freeway in Mission Viejo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Signs of Life and Abandonment
There were signs of life in the eerie, empty space, but no real proof. TVs played ESPN above the bar, but there was no bartender in sight. A faucet dripped a steady stream of water at a kitchen restaurant, but there were no staffers. Unplayable games sat in the corner: a cornhole set with no bags, a ping-pong table with a broken net and a foosball table with a sign asking patrons to bring their own balls.
History and Decline
Kaleidoscope was built for $55 million in 1998, and in the decades since, it has suffered a plague of problems caused by both design and execution. A confusing parking garage pushed away potential visitors, and its cloistered design failed to advertise the businesses inside to the droves of cars driving down I-5. Perhaps more importantly, Kaleidoscope sits directly across from another, bigger, mall, the Shops at Mission Viejo, which opened in 1979 and underwent a $150-million expansion a year after Kaleidoscope opened, growing to five times the size of Kaleidoscope.
Attempts at Revival
Westport Capital Partners bought the property in 2010 for $22 million and tried to shake things up by adding the 28,000-square-foot Union Market, but occupancy hovered at roughly 50% by the time they sold it for $33.5 million in 2023. The new owner is Continuum Analytics, an investment firm in Newport Beach. Continuum could not be reached for comment. At the time, Michael Kluchin, director of operations at Continuum, told the Orange County Business Journal that they were focused on bringing back foot traffic and potentially finding a new long-term use for the property.
Current State and Future Plans
Kaleidoscope has plenty of tenants these days. There’s a Burke Williams Spa, L.A. Fitness, Mattress Firm, Buffalo Wild Wings and several entertainment venues including a rage room, an axe-throwing venue, laser tag and a golf simulator. But shoppers are scarce. Bartenders and waitresses staffed the Buffalo Wild Wings, but there wasn’t a single diner inside. The Mattress Firm was empty as well; its front door added to the eeriness, donning a handwritten sign that said “Sparkletts — Do not leave anymore water — I stopped service.” Mall management appears to have a few ideas up its sleeve. A vacant space currently houses plans for a 36,000-square-foot creative office space. Another vacancy has been converted into a pop-up roller rink, taking advantage of the concrete floors and minimal setup.
Plenty of parking spaces are available at the Kaleidoscope Mall in Mission Viejo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Reflections and Lessons
“It’s the structural version of the uncanny valley effect. The men’s bathroom is clean, but missing soap and paper towels. A phone rings at a restaurant counter, but no one is there to answer it. Caution signs sit on the floor. “Help Wanted” signs hang in shop windows.” “Things get a little busier on the weekends, but not much,” said a restaurant staffer who asked to remain anonymous to not affect their job. The staffer said weekday shifts are a breeze because only a handful of people show up. “I’ve had shifts where we don’t have a single person come in,” they said.
Union Market at the Kaleidoscope Mall in Mission Viejo. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Conclusion
Kaleidoscope’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges faced by malls in the age of online shopping and the importance of adaptability and innovation in the retail industry. While it remains to be seen what the future holds for this mall, its current state is a fascinating case study of decline and potential rebirth. As President Barack Obama’s poster in the mall aptly puts it, “You can’t let your failures define you. You have to let your failures teach you.”
FAQs
- Q: When was Kaleidoscope Mall built?
A: Kaleidoscope Mall was built in 1998 for $55 million. - Q: What are some of the problems Kaleidoscope Mall has faced?
A: Kaleidoscope has faced issues including a confusing parking garage, poor design, and competition from a larger mall across the street. - Q: What is being done to revitalize the mall?
A: The new owner, Continuum Analytics, is exploring ways to bring back foot traffic and potentially find a new long-term use for the property, including adding new attractions and converting spaces into offices or other uses. - Q: What is the current state of the mall?
A: The mall is mostly empty, with few customers and many vacant stores, despite having a variety of tenants including entertainment venues and restaurants. - Q: Can Kaleidoscope Mall be saved?
A: While it’s challenging, there are precedents of malls successfully pivoting to new uses such as recreation spaces or mixed-use facilities, offering hope for Kaleidoscope’s potential rebirth.
