Yesterday, Saturday, August 15, was a very special day in Pacific Palisades. After being closed for more than 19 months following the devastating Palisades Fire, Palisades Village officially reopened.

I went to the reopening with my children, and what struck me most was simply seeing people together again. The Village was crowded, there was a flyover overhead, and everywhere I looked I seemed to recognize a familiar face. After everything our community has experienced since January 2025, there was something incredibly encouraging about seeing people walking through the Village again, talking, laughing and enjoying a place that had been such a familiar part of life in the Palisades.

More Than the Reopening of a Shopping Center

Palisades Village is, of course, a place to shop and eat, but for those of us who live here, it has also been part of the rhythm of the community. It is a place where you run into neighbors, take your children, meet a friend for coffee or simply walk around.

That is why yesterday felt significant. The reopening does not mean that the recovery of Pacific Palisades is complete. It isn’t. There are still homes to rebuild, businesses trying to return, families making difficult decisions and enormous amounts of work ahead of us.

But having an important gathering place in the center of the community reopen feels like another meaningful step forward.

Rick Caruso and the Caruso team made the decision to restore and reopen Palisades Village after the fire, and yesterday it was wonderful to see that work come to life. Seeing the crowds return was also a reminder that people still care deeply about this community and want to be part of its future.

“Broken But Together”

One of my favorite moments yesterday happened when I took this photograph of my sons, Elon and Enzo, next to a sculpture that is now displayed at Palisades Village.

At first, my children were simply fascinated by the two enormous mirrored figures. But after learning the story behind them, the photograph became much more meaningful to me.

The sculpture, called Broken But Together by artist Michael Benisty, survived the Palisades Fire after the property where it had been displayed was destroyed. It was later recovered and has now been given a home at Palisades Village.

I love the meaning behind it because it feels especially appropriate here. Pacific Palisades has been through tremendous loss. Rebuilding does not erase what happened, and reopening one part of our community does not mean everything is suddenly back to normal. But piece by piece, familiar parts of our community are returning and new ones are taking their place.

Yesterday was one of those pieces.

What Does This Mean for Pacific Palisades Real Estate?

As a Pacific Palisades resident and real estate broker, I also found myself thinking about what the reopening means for the future of real estate in our community.

Real estate is about much more than the house itself.

When someone chooses where to live, they are also choosing the community around that house. They care about the places where they can walk, shop, eat, take their children and spend time with friends. They care about neighborhood businesses, schools, parks, streets and the feeling they get when they drive home.

That is why the recovery of places such as Palisades Village matters to Pacific Palisades real estate.

It would be far too simplistic to say that the reopening of the Village automatically means home values will rise. Real estate values are influenced by many factors, and the Palisades is still navigating an unprecedented rebuilding process.

What I do believe is that the return of businesses, gathering places and everyday community life is an encouraging sign for the long term future of Pacific Palisades. A healthy real estate market depends in part on people wanting to live in a community, and yesterday was a powerful reminder of how many people still believe in this one.

Looking Ahead at Pacific Palisades

There will be many more milestones ahead.

Some will be large and highly visible, like the reopening of Palisades Village. Others will happen quietly, one property at a time, when a family receives a permit, construction begins on a home, a business reopens or someone finally gets to return.

For homeowners considering whether to rebuild, sell or stay in Pacific Palisades, there are still complicated questions ahead. The answers will be different for every family. I think it is important to be realistic about that while also recognizing the progress happening around us.

Yesterday, I saw a lot of that progress in one place.

I saw familiar faces. I saw neighbors gathering again. I watched my boys explore a place that will become part of their own memories of growing up in Pacific Palisades. And standing there with my kids next to Broken But Together, I was reminded that rebuilding a community is not something that happens all at once.

It happens piece by piece.

I am grateful to everyone who has worked to bring this part of our community back, and I am hopeful about what comes next for Pacific Palisades.

With gratitude and a heart of service,

Claudia Backus, MBA
California Real Estate Broker | REALTOR®
Serving Pacific Palisades & the Westside