In the late 1800s, the Pacific Electric (PE) established its Vineyard Junction depot, near the intersection of Venice and San Vicente.

As a result, the Pacific Electric ordered its future cars to be made of steel, and it was recommended that signaling be introduced on the PE's lines.

[4] PE eventually discontinued its Pico bus line, and in 1935, the Los Angeles Railway and Santa Monica made their partnership permanent with the construction of the Rimpau Loop, a bus-to-streetcar transfer station.

[7] Santa Monica was prevented from operating any buses east of Rimpau, and the transfer arrangement remained in place for decades.

[15] Other features considered progressive at the time were streamlined escalators, "windowless construction" (no windows to the outside from the selling floor), and air conditioning.

The first floor was occupied by a discount hardware store and the second by a bazaar of independent vendors, in California known as an indoor swap meet.

[16] The Sears-Pico building was demolished around 2003[14] and replaced by the Midtown Crossing in 2012, a development with 330,000 square feet (31,000 m2) of retail space on 11 acres (4.5 ha).

The center was the result of a 2010 plan in which the city provided $34 million worth of loans and subsidies to CIM Group for its construction.

[20] Today the center is anchored by a Ralphs supermarket, a CVS Pharmacy, a Living Spaces furniture store and a Planet Fitness gym.