[3] The uniform appearance of the planned community (notorious for its racial restrictions)[4] inspired singer Malvina Reynolds to write the song "Little Boxes" in 1962.

Its open-air pedestrian promenades allowed the center to be used for outdoor concerts, art shows, fairs, dances, and other community events for many years.

[11][12] The proposed mixed-use building would replace the existing northeast corner of the Westlake site, near the intersection of John Daly Boulevard and Park Plaza Drive.

[16] Westlake Shopping Center occupies the super-block bounded by John Daly Boulevard (on the north), Park Plaza Drive (on the east), Southgate Avenue (on the south), and Lake Merced Boulevard (on the west); it also encompasses the retail/business properties on the south side of Southgate, extending west past Lake Merced Blvd.

Westlake was renovated starting in 2004; Kimco have used the site to test programs to build consumer traffic, including offering Wi-Fi and electric vehicle charging stations on-site.