The Market Place covers an area of and has more than 120 stores, restaurants, cafes and theaters. Designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta, it consists of monumental but extremely simplified cubic forms, with anchor stores marked by massive towers roughly high displaying the store name. The center is also unique in that all the store signs are displayed in neon. The overall design operates on the idea that center's tenants add most of the color and character to the otherwise plain center, a concept that had previously been attempted with Britain's Tricorn Centre. The buildings are arranged in a ring around a large central series of parking lots and fast-food restaurants. The center on the whole has a "desert" look to it, with parking lots shaded under groves of date palms, and extensive rock landscaping around the perimeter of the center. The parking lots are illuminated by arrays of xenon floodlights set inside the peaks of high towers. The buildings themselves are uniformly surfaced in bright orange, purple, and pink stucco.
History
Phase 1
Construction of Phase I began in 1988 on the Tustin side of Jamboree Road, and this phase was opened in three distinct sections. The first section opened in 1988, with of space allotted for home improvement and furnishings/decor retail stores. The second section of Phase I opened in 1989, with of soft goods, apparel and electronics stores. The third and final section of Phase I opened in 1990, with of restaurants, services and a six-screen Edwards Theater.
Phase 2
In 1996, Phase II of the Tustin Market Place opened on the Irvine side of Jamboree Road. This phase expanded the Market Place by, adding stores, restaurants and a 10-screen Edwards Stadium Theater.
Phase 3
With the initiation of Construction of Phase III, also on the Irvine side of Jamboree Road, opening in 1999. Another of retail space were added to the Market Place in this phase, which included home improvement and furnishings stores, a large food court, and a Target store.
Phase 4
In Spring 2014, three new restaurants were added in close proximity to the existing Best Buy store. A Chase Bank branch and a Food Court were also added close to the existing Lowe's store.
Phase 5
The Market Place added a Starbucks, with a drive through, and an Urban Plates restaurant near the Lowe's garden section in late 2015. A new building was added close to the theater to accommodate the two new restaurants.
