Mega 35-acre shopping mall built in 1977 in California, seen in ‘Fast and Furious’ and ‘Gone Girl,’ is finally being demolished after decades of abandonment

A once-thriving California mega mall that became an unlikely Hollywood backdrop for ‘The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift’ and ‘Gone Girl’ is finally being demolished after sitting abandoned for nearly three decades.

Hawthorne Plaza, a sprawling 35-acre shopping center in Hawthorne, Southern California, opened in 1977 with more than 130 stores. Now, heavy machinery is tearing down the long-vacant property following years of failed redevelopment plans, safety concerns and legal battles.

From popular shopping destination to abandoned mall

When Hawthorne Plaza opened, it was a major retail destination, featuring department-store anchors including J.C. Penney, The Broadway and Montgomery Ward.


But the mall struggled to compete with other South Bay shopping centers as the local economy changed and newer retail destinations attracted shoppers. Occupancy fell dramatically during the 1990s, and the final anchor, J.C. Penney, closed in 1998.

The entire mall followed soon after, shutting its doors in 1999. For years afterward, the enormous complex remained largely empty, becoming a familiar example of America's abandoned-mall problem.

‘Fast and Furious’ and ‘Gone Girl’ gave the dead mall a second life

Although shoppers disappeared, Hollywood discovered something valuable in the deserted property.

The eerie, sprawling interiors and empty parking areas made Hawthorne Plaza an ideal filming location. It appeared in ‘The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift’, as well as ‘Gone Girl’ and other major productions.

That cinematic connection helped turn the abandoned mall into something of an internet-era curiosity. For movie fans, images of the deserted complex offered a glimpse of a place that looked frozen in time.

But behind the Hollywood appeal, the property became increasingly difficult for the surrounding community.

Why is the Hawthorne Plaza mall being demolished?

The property had been plagued by reports of trespassing, vandalism, illegal dumping and other safety problems during its long vacancy.

The City of Hawthorne eventually took legal action. A permanent court injunction required the owners to either redevelop or demolish the property by the end of August 2026. A later court order set a deadline for demolition to begin by August 14.

City Manager Vontray Norris said the court decision "provides a clear, enforceable schedule for the remediation of the Hawthorne Mall property."

He added: "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."

What happens to the site next?

Hawthorne Plaza has already survived several redevelopment proposals.

Plans announced in the past included a mixed-use project with more than 600 homes, retail and other amenities. However, those plans never became reality.

For now, demolition is the immediate focus. Work is being carried out in phases, beginning at the southern end of the sprawling site and moving north. What ultimately replaces the former mall has not been finalized.

For a property that went from a bustling 1977 shopping mall to an abandoned Hollywood filming location, the demolition marks the end of one of Hawthorne's strangest chapters.