1983
Master planning for Irvine Spectrum District begins to take shape as Irvine Company invests $227 million into infrastructure, including storm drains, roads and a freeway cloverleaf.
1989
Western Digital, Mazda, Canon and Toshiba occupy the first office buildings, solidifying the city’s jobs and economic base.
1995
“The Entertainment Center at Irvine Spectrum” opens with 250,000 square feet of dining and entertainment, featuring Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX, the world’s first megaplex movie theater with 6,400 seats and 21 screens.
1998
A prominent Wall Street Journal feature story puts Irvine Spectrum in the national spotlight.
2002
The Giant Wheel arrives from Italy and opens. The 108-foot- tall wheel is just the third fixed wheel in Southern California, following those at Santa Monica Pier and Disney’s California Adventure.
2003
The seasonal ice rink debuts and becomes OC’s only
2005
Nordstrom opens during Spectrum Center’s
2007
The Village apartments, with its own Starbucks and grocer, opens. It is the first of six apartment communities within Spectrum, including The Park (2009), Los Olivos (2013), Centerpointe (2016), Westview (2017) and Promenade (2019).
2014
The Irvine Improv, one of the most successful comedy clubs in the country, triples its size with a new home across from Regal Irvine Spectrum. Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock are among the A-listers who have performed there.
2017
Irvine Company completes the world’s first collection of hybrid-electric buildings that now includes 24 high-rises, eight within Spectrum, outfitted with Tesla batteries. The technology can reduce peak energy demand by 25%.
2018
A $200 million reinvestment of Spectrum Center adds 30 new stores and restaurants, including a new glass-walled Apple Store and updated landscaping, courtyards and new seating areas.
2020
Regal theater completes a multimillion- dollar remodel that includes a digital lobby experience, luxury recliners in the VIP section and motion- synchronized seats in the 4DX.
2022
Fortune 500 companies continue to expand and open in Irvine as Amazon leases 116,000 square feet at Spectrum Terrace, the brand-new 1.1-million-square-foot office campus.
