New addition to the Gardens on El Paseo

Sandy Rudolph lives within walking distance of the Gardens on El Paseo.

“Everything is very convenient and I like a lot of the shops and this seems to have really opened it up a lot,” Rudolph said.

She’s talking about the finished product – a new bridge connecting both sides of the shopping center.

“The center is now about 15 years old. The landscaping, trees, all had overgrown. We wanted to open it up and create a lot more connectivity,” the CEO of the Gardens on El Paseo, Robert Taubman, said.

Now, a clear walkway between Louis Vuitton and Tiffanys.

“You can actually see through here and see someone you’re looking for. I like how they have all the places to sit,” Rudolph said.

Various new sitting areas throughout the Gardens now offer relaxation for the non-shoppers, while clearer paths between stores make it easier for shopaholics.

“This center, right through the construction, is up through it’s sales. The whole Coachella Valley is improving in terms of economy. We are the center of affluence and densities of the whole Coachella Valley,” Taubman said.

“I do almost all my holiday shopping out here because it’s so convenient,” Rudolph said.

If she doesn’t buy too much, Sandy can walk the bags back home.