The City of Hawthorne has secured a court order requiring the property owners of the Hawthorne Mall to commence site demolition no later than Aug. 14, 2026. The mandate follows a July 30 court hearing regarding the vacant property.
The court ruling establishes a definitive timeline for the property’s teardown. In addition to the Aug. 14 demolition start date, the judge ordered the property owners to submit all outstanding demolition permit applications for the site’s two parking structures no later than Aug. 28, 2026. The court noted good faith efforts made by the defendants to date, including the installation of perimeter fences, gates, a job site trailer and issuing advance demolition notices to the adjacent community.
“This court decision provides a clear, enforceable schedule for the remediation of the Hawthorne Mall property,” said City Manager Vontray Norris. “The City remains committed to utilizing all available legal avenues to pave the way for future development that will benefit residents and local businesses alike.”
To execute the teardown, the property owners have contracted AMPCO Contracting Inc. to perform the building demolition at 12124 Hawthorne Blvd. According to the Hawthorne Mall Work Plan, the project will adhere to a structural demolition phasing plan, beginning at the south end of the site and progressing north through five distinct phases, labeled A through E.
To manage local traffic and minimize community impact, strict logistical measures will be enforced. All highside end dump trucks will enter and exit the project site exclusively via West 120th Street and must be tarped and secured. Designated haul routes will direct construction traffic to major freeways to transport mixed debris to CWS in Gardena and scrap metal to SA Metal in Long Beach.
The City of Hawthorne will continue to monitor the site closely alongside the project’s management team to ensure full compliance with court mandates, project timelines and safety protocols.
Community members can stay informed on the demolition progress and future revitalization efforts by visiting the City’s website. Residents may also subscribe to City email notifications through the City’s homepage and follow the City’s social media channels for ongoing announcements related to the Hawthorne Mall property.