The community is anxious, you can feel the excitement in the air.  The Americana's May 2nd Grand Opening, continues to be one of the top news stories:

LACurbed blogs about the Americana on a weekly basis.

"We were just informed that all of the restaurants at Glendale's new Americana at Brand will open on May 2, when the entire complex opens."  Read remainder here

But some merchants (not only Glendale Galleria) are concerned what impact the Americana will have on their business. "As city officials and eager shoppers get ready to roll out the red carpet for the May 2 opening of the Americana at Brand, downtown merchants in the “mid-Brand Boulevard” district are making their own preparations to avoid getting lost in the fray as the city’s commercial center repositions itself on Caruso Way." Read remainder here

Leasing began and prices seemed high optimistic.  Read remainder here

I like Steve Lopez who writes for the Los Angeles Times: "Rick Caruso, who is remaking Southern California as a constellation of lifestyle centers anchored by Cheesecake Factories, was inviting me to a black tie affair on May 1 -- the grand opening celebration of the Americana at Brand in Glendale." 

And the FranklinAvenueBlog writes:
"It's still the worst-named shopping center out there (well, other than Westfield's insistence in calling all of its malls "Westfield"): The Americana at Brand. But what the h*ll... we're hoping the arrival not only injects a little more excitement and status to Glendale, but perhaps juices property values as well."



Asking prices of Americana's condos also seemed high optimistic - with a handful exceeding $2,000,000.  Most likely the prime units won't be sold at these prices and "friends and family" will get special pricing. I can't imagine anyone paying $2,000,000+ when you can get a magnificent character estate for that amount of money.  

And finally YouTube "it's a wonderful world" - The Americana is exciting, but it is not Heaven on Earth!