The balky escalators on the Beverly side of Beverly Center are closed for a complete replacement, putting added pressure on the elevators—never a good thing there. Target date to reopen: November 1, then work starts on the La Cienega side. The mall admits the escalators were broken down too often. A fresh new look is part of the project:

From the exterior, it will be a clean sheet of glass, mullion-free, that tips out toward the street at the top escalator landing. At night, it will act as a display window into the activity of the vertical transportation of the customer. The backdrop will be a bright red tile wall that has accents of gold twinkling as it catches light. At the top of the escalators, the tile walls become a bright yellow with palm tree landscaping, creating a cheerful atmosphere and a hip place to be, just prior to entering the retail level of the mall. Large, contemporary chandeliers will be seen at each landing.

An LA Observed correspondent also emails that the Cineplex theaters will close January 26, then be redesigned as a Mann Theatres complex.

* And this: H&M plans to open its first Los Angeles store at Beverly Center by fall. The fashion retailer is also going into Pasadena. If you are in need of a fix and have no plans to fly to New York, the San Francisco H&M is already open at Union Square.