Whizin's center gets makeover

FACE-LIFT—Sections inside Whizin's center will be remodeledThe arcade and atrium area of Whizin's Mall in Agoura Hills will be remodeled to accommodate a new restaurant, officials said at the city's Nov. 6 planning commission meeting.

Other improvements also will be made.

The Tucker Investment Group of Calabasas purchased Agoura Hills' oldest shopping center in December 2006 for $26.2 million from Bruce Whizin, whose father, the late Art Whizin, developed the nine-acre parcel on Roadside Drive more than 50 years ago.

The planning commission gave Bill Tucker approval to remodel the arcade section of the center on Oct. 2 with the stipulation that commissioners could review the plans on the proposed interior work.

The remodel includes a 590square-foot patio dining area and a 230-square-foot kitchen for the tenant, Hugo's Restaurant.

Tucker also wants to upgrade the entrances to the arcade with new gates that he says will improve the aesthetic appeal of the area while providing security. More skylights will be added, which will allow more natural light to stream through the atrium.

Upgrades to the atrium lighting also will be made. The design will mesh with the architecture and will include "one iconic central chandelier," Tucker said.

The water feature inside the arcade will be reconfigured to create a "more natural contemporary feel," Tucker said in his application.

The fencing by the water element will be removed and a new waterfall will be added to the new patio.

New doors will be installed in each atrium storefront and window display lighting will be enhanced according to the needs of the tenants, Tucker said.

Refinished, whitewashed wood siding will be installed on the storefront walls to retain the western feel of the building.

Robyn Britton, an Old Agoura resident representing the Old Agoura Homeowners Association, asked commissioners to restrain from "overly restricting" the developer on his design elements.

An earlier rendering of the new arcade made commissioners "a little leery," said Chair John O'Meara.

Commissioner Curtis Zacuto said the panel wanted to make sure the design was in keeping with the western ambiance of the old shopping center. He said Tucker's earlier designs were too modern.