IKEA to double size of California store

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — IKEA intends to submit plans to the City of Burbank, California, for a new, larger location to replace its current one in the Los Angeles area.



The current 242,000-sq.-ft. IKEA Burbank was the first IKEA store in California and sixth in the United States. It opened its doors Nov. 1990 and sat on 6.4 acres, along I-5 at San Fernando Blvd. The proposed 470,000-sq.-ft. store and its more than 1,700 parking spaces would be built on 22 acres west of San Fernando Blvd. and south of Providencia Ave., under (should be “less than”) a mile from the existing store and more conveniently accessible.



The building’s architectural design would match IKEA stores’ trademark look. IKEA hopes to install a solar energy system in the proposed new store, similar to the solar photovoltaic array on the roof of the existing Burbank location. Nearly 90% of all U.S. IKEA locations have installed, or are in the process of installing, solar panels.



“Because of this store’s success, we are excited about the opportunity to build upon our established presence in Burbank with a new, roomier store so close to the existing one, and in the same city,” said IKEA U.S. president Mike Ward. “This relocation would allow our coworkers to offer customers an updated, spacious and enhanced IKEA shopping experience.”



More space means more room for the home furnishings retailer to showcase nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area and a larger restaurant specializing in Swedish specialties. IKEA also features a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby-care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout its stores.