Since the mid-1960s, the mall has become a major economic and cultural hub of surrounding African American communities which include a spectrum of socioeconomic classes.

The sale has been challenged with community protests including a group of neighborhood activists who made a play to acquire the property and develop it as a community-owned project.

A bridge was built across MLK Boulevard (Santa Barbara Avenue at the time) to the north, to the May Company building that had opened on October 10, 1947.

The mall contains an additional 115 new retail and specialty shops on over 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land which is located in one of the most densely populated and busiest areas in the United States.

The windows created a meeting space for events such as various classes, Taste of Soul auditions, and an exercise program for senior citizens.

New tenants with and after the second renovation included a new Cinemark XD Extreme multiplex cinema, Pink, Victoria's Secret, Forever 21 and Lane Bryant.

With city council in 2018, the site received entitlements to transform the shopping mall into a 24-hour mixed-use complex with commercial, office and residential structures.

[2] The expansion on the 43 acres (17 ha) site would include: a luxury 400-room hotel and resort, an office tower with a penthouse level, an open-air plaza, mid to high upscale restaurants, acres of public space, a multi-story parking structure and residential units with low-rise condominiums and apartments.

[17] In April 2020, CIM Group agreed to buy the mall for more than $100 million with plans to convert the former Sears and Walmart into offices to drive more foot traffic into the remaining retail stores.

[20] During the transition to a new owner, community leaders and groups have expressed concern about African American ownership and participation in the project.

[21][22] The mall has been seeking a buyer who would build out the approved plan but the sale to LIVWRK and DFH Partners was scuttled in December 2020 after meeting with community protests.

[23] A local group called Downtown Crenshaw made an offer to purchase the mall through a community land trust but has been turned down.

[26] They also bought the Macy's department store building in a separate transaction of more than $30 million which gave Harridge control of almost the entire 42-acre (17 ha) site that straddles Martin Luther King Jr.

[29][34] Martin Luther King Jr. underground station serves the shopping center and the adjacent Kaiser Permanente medical facility at Marlton Square.