Dazzling Gala Celebrates Opening of The Americana at Brand with Music, Entertainment,...

Dazzling Gala Celebrates Opening of The Americana at Brand with Music, Entertainment, Fireworks

-Jay Leno Emcees the Star Studded Show Headlined by the Legendary
Tony Bennett-

-2,000 Guests Entertained by Iconic American Talent-
GLENDALE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The Americana at Brand, Rick Caruso's $400 million retail and
residential development, made a spectacular debut tonight with a show
emceed by Tonight Show host Jay Leno and featuring performances by
American musical icons Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, The Four Tops and
The Temptations.

"It was important for us to give Glendale and our friends and
colleagues a memorable celebration to welcome The Americana at Brand.
The program featured exceptional performers that have dazzled many
generations," said Rick J. Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated Holdings.
"The Americana at Brand is unlike anything else that has been
developed in the country to date. We offer luxury living with 238
premier apartments and homeownership with 100 condominiums, all
located above an exceptional array of shops and restaurants, in the
heart of a great downtown."

From the moment the 2,000 guests arrived, they were dazzled by the
sumptuous grounds of The Americana at Brand with its beautifully
landscaped central common, the delightful animated fountain and the
one-of-a-kind grand outdoor crystal chandelier. Guests first enjoyed
cocktails and entertainment on The Green, an almost two-acre central
common at the heart of the development, after which they traveled
through the richly appointed Grand Lobby with its Art Deco-inspired
chandelier and grand piano and took the distinctive
turn-of-the-century style glass elevator to the top floor of the
parking garage, which was transformed into an elegant 1940s supper
club. Swathed in shimmering fabrics and awash with warm glowing
lights, guests experienced the decadence and drama of the era. A
30-piece orchestra further set the mood of the period, while guests
enjoyed dinner catered by star chef Wolfgang Puck.

The highlights of the evening were the electrifying performances
of Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, The Four Tops and The Temptations in a
show specially created for The Americana at Brand by well-known
Hollywood producer Jeff Margolis and emceed by Jay Leno. The finale
began with the Inspector Staff, 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines color guard
followed by a lively musical montage played by a 30-piece orchestra,
beginning with "America" written by James Patrick Dunne for this event
and sung by Ken Stacey, the National Anthem sung by the Glendale High
School Chamber Choir, "Stars & Stripes" performed by the USC Marching
Band, and concluding with "God Bless America" sung by The Four Tops,
The Temptations, the Glendale High School Chamber Choir and
choreographed with a dramatic fireworks display lighting up the night
sky, visible for miles throughout Los Angeles.

The gala precedes the public grand opening on Friday, May 2,
expected to draw thousands of guests from throughout the region as
well as visitors from around the world. The Americana at Brand is set
on 15.5 acres in the heart of downtown Glendale. Seamlessly interwoven
into the existing context and street grid of the city, the development
is designed to reconnect and re-energize the city with 74 unique shops
and fashion boutiques along with casual and fine dining in a sumptuous
outdoor setting. The development offers an unparalleled luxury
lifestyle with 238 apartments and 100 condominiums built entirely
above the ground floor retail. The Green at the center of the
development is an enticing gathering spot with children's pay area, an
animated fountain and lush landscaping. Gracing the center of The
Green is "The Spirit of American Youth," an 18-foot statue covered in
23-carat gold that is an exact replica of one that stands at the Omaha
Beach Memorial in Normandy, France. A second statue from Omaha Beach,
America, tops the dome of the Excelsior overlooking The Green.

Caruso Affiliated is known for creating open-air community and
regional retail environments that serve as local gathering places.
Caruso's style has become a recognized brand within the retail
industry and with Southern California residents and visitors. The
success of the company's stylish and elegant outdoor environments has
challenged the traditional "mall" concept and set a new standard in
the industry. A recognized leader in this trend, Caruso Affiliated's
growth is approximately two times that of the largest publicly traded
REITs and sales per square foot at Caruso properties are 75 percent
higher than the industry average.

The Americana at Brand is Caruso Affiliated's largest retail
destination to date and its first project to include residences. The
company has several other projects in development including The Shops
at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., and the company's first luxury
destination resort in Montecito, Calif., with the recent acquisition
of the historic Miramar Hotel. Caruso Affiliated's portfolio of top
performing retail centers includes The Grove in Los Angeles; the
Waterside, Marina del Rey; The Promenade at Westlake; The Lakes at
Thousand Oaks; and The Commons at Calabasas.

Casey Sayre & Williams, Inc.
Karen Diehl or Taylor Patterson, 310-396-2400

Copyright Business Wire 2008