Universal CityWalk is the name shared by the entertainment and retail districts located adjacent to the theme parks of Universal Destinations & Experiences. CityWalk began as an expansion of Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood, and serves as an entrance plaza from the parking lots to the theme parks. CityWalk can also be found at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Japan, and Universal Beijing Resort in Beijing, China.

CityWalk Hollywood and CityWalk Orlando have some common tenants, but their respective architectural styles are quite different. Where CityWalk Hollywood incorporates a classic modern blend of Hollywood, CityWalk Orlando is almost entirely modern in appearance.

Universal CityWalk Hollywood

Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Map
LocationUniversal Studios Hollywood
Coordinates34°08′10″N 118°21′18″W / 34.1359945°N 118.3551362°W / 34.1359945; -118.3551362
Address100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, California 91608
Opening date
  • May 1993; 30 years ago (May 1993)
  • amphitheatre: June 28, 1972; 51 years ago (June 28, 1972)
  • theater: July 4, 1987; 36 years ago (July 4, 1987)[1]
  • expansion: April 7, 2000; 23 years ago (April 7, 2000)
Closing dateamphitheatre: September 6, 2013; 10 years ago (September 6, 2013)
OwnerUniversal Destinations & Experiences
ArchitectJon Jerde
No. of stores and services29
Public transit accessUniversal City/Studio City Station
WebsiteOfficial website

CityWalk is separate from Universal Studios Hollywood although it does serve as an entrance from the parking lot to Universal Studios.[2] Inspiration came from the Horton Plaza according to Jon Jerde, the architecture of CityWalk Hollywood tries to capture the architecture found all over Los Angeles.[3]

Universal CityWalk Hollywood is a three-block entertainment, dining, shopping promenade. It has more than 30 eateries, a 19-screen movie theater featuring IMAX, 7 night spots, indoor skydiving and more than 30 stores.

History

Designed by Jon Jerde, CityWalk opened in May 1993 adjacent to the Cineplex Odeon cinema (operated by AMC Theatres since 2006). A $1 billion, 93,000 sq ft (8,600 m2) expansion opened in 2000. Planning done by Jerde Associates. Street performers (magicians and musicians) are a common sight.

CityWalk's central plaza is topped by a 170-foot radial trellis designed and built by Pearce Structures[4] (who also constructed Biosphere 2). The courtyard features a leaping fountain, created by WET. A huge television monitor brought in by Panasonic, is located above the multiplex, showing upcoming Universal movie releases, music videos, and NBCUniversal promotions stands next to the giant guitar towering over the Hard Rock Cafe.

In January 2010, the music video for Justin Bieber's song "Baby" was recorded here.

5 Towers

"5 Towers" is an interactive outdoor concert venue on Universal CityWalk, featuring a technologically advanced staging system. The stage is equipped with thousands of LED fixtures, motion capture sensors, five soaring 42-foot light tower sculptures, a massive video monitor, and a state-of-the-art audio system.

The new staging system serves as the structural artistic centerpiece for CityWalk. It features live music.

Dining

A Jamba Juice store located along the CityWalk in Universal Studios Hollywood.
Casual Dining Quick Service Eateries Snack & Refreshments
Antojito's Cocina Mexicana Chick Chick Chicken Ben and Jerry's
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Cinnabon Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
Buca di Beppo Firehouse Subs Mini Monster
Dongpo Kitchen Jamba Juice Popcornopolis
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville KFC Express / Pizza Hut Express Sparky's Mini Doughnuts and Chocolates
Johnny Rockets Restaurant & Sports Lounge Panda Express Starbucks
NBC Sports Grill & Brew Pink's Famous Hot Dogs Voodoo Doughnut
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Taco Bell Wetzel's Pretzels
Vivo Italian Kitchen The Crêpe Café
Wasabi at CityWalk The Habit Burger Grill

Shopping

Raider Image, Universal CityWalk Hollywood
Apparel & Accessories Collectibles, Games & Novelties Food Specialities, Home, Health & Beauty
Abercrombie & Fitch Cartooniversal IT'SUGAR
Billabong Celebrity Authentics Karma and Luck
Francesca's Collection Dodgers Clubhouse Store Nectar Bath Treats
Lids Hot Topic Sephora
Lids Locker Room Production Central Zen Zone
Shoe Palace Super Nintendo World Store
Sunsastions The Raider Image
The Los Angeles Sock Market Things From Another World
Tilly's Universal Studios Store
Universal UNIVRS

Entertainment

Night Spots Experiences Cinemas Game Show Taping
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company iFly Hollywood Universal Cinema Family Feud (2010–2011)
Buca di Beppo
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville

Universal CityWalk Orlando

Universal CityWalk Orlando
Map
LocationUniversal Orlando Resort
Coordinates28°28′20″N 81°27′56″W / 28.4722676°N 81.4656319°W / 28.4722676; -81.4656319
Address6000 Universal Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32819
Opening dateFebruary 4, 1999; 24 years ago (February 4, 1999)
OwnerUniversal Destinations & Experiences
No. of stores and services13
Public transit accesslocal transit Lynx 21, 37, & 40
WebsiteOfficial website
Universal Orlando
Theme parks
Resort hotels
  • Loews Portofino Bay Hotel
  • Hard Rock Hotel
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  • Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • Universal's Aventura Hotel
  • Universal's Endless Summer Resort
Entertainment district
The entrance plaza to CityWalk Orlando

The Universal CityWalk in Orlando opened in February 1999 as one component of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into Universal Orlando Resort. It was built over the former Universal Studios parking lot and entrance. Guests arriving at the resort park in one of two parking garages then travel via covered moving walkways over Universal Boulevard into CityWalk. From there, guests can proceed into either of the theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.

Dining

Current Hard Rock Café at Universal Studios Florida

Entertainment

Shopping

Former Shopping

Exhibition

Former Outlets

Incident

On April 22, 2011, a 33-year-old man from Winter Haven, Florida, was found unconscious in front of the Universal Cineplex 20 theater after being tased by an off-duty police officer due to disorderly conduct. The man was taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and later died.[6][7]

Universal CityWalk Osaka

Universal City Walk Osaka, Japan

The Universal CityWalk Osaka opened to public on March 31, 2001 as part of the Universal Studios Japan.

Dining

Shopping

Other

Takoyaki museum at Universal City Walk Osaka

[8]

Universal CityWalk Beijing

Universal CityWalk Beijing from its south

The Universal CityWalk Beijing opened to public on September 2, 2021[9] as part of the Universal Beijing Resort's first phase with no entrance fee.[10]

Dining

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at Universal CityWalk Beijing

Shopping

Universal Studios Store, Beijing

Entertainment

[11]

References

  1. ^ Hayes, Dade; Bing, Jonathan (2004). Open Wide: How Hollywood Box Office Became a National Obsession. Miramax Books. pp. 315–7. ISBN 1401352006.
  2. ^ SMITH, DOUG (1993-05-25). "Celebrating L.A. Icons : Universal CityWalk Is for Real--Almost". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  3. ^ NELSON, JIM (2000-04-24). "The Real Mastermind Behind CityWalk". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
  4. ^ "Peter Jon Pearce site – Building Systems Developments – other projects".
  5. ^ Kleinhenz, Marc N. (2020-06-07). "The long and surprising history of Hard Rock Café at Universal Studios Florida". Orlando Informer. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  6. ^ "Fla. man dies after police Taser him at Universal Studios complex". USATODAY.COM.
  7. ^ "Autopsy: Police restraints killed Winter Haven man". theledger.com.
  8. ^ "English & Chinese Floor Map". Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  9. ^ "环球城市大道 正式向公众开放". Beijing Youth Daily. 2021-09-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved 2021-09-07.
  10. ^ "定了！北京环球度假区9月20日正式向公众开放". 北京日报客户端. 2021-08-30. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  11. ^ "Universal Beijing Resort Raises the Curtain on Universal CityWalk Beijing - Desitined to Become Beijing's One-Stop Dining and Entertainment Center".

External links

Places adjacent to Universal CityWalk
Universal Destinations & Experiences
NBCUniversal
Shopping malls in California
Categories