This place has been getting so much play lately I'm starting to get a little jealous. With the professional volleyball tour now located there and Jordin Sparks shows there every other day - it's really turning into a hub for the Westside.
I went over there to meet a friend (from Surprise) to hangout as this was decided to be a good meeting point. Westgate sports that whole faux-town square thing that is all the rage in American suburbia. You'll find a grassy town square (with baby trees offering little to no shade) that kids and families actually hang out in. You'll find actual middle class shops in contrast to Kierland Commons. This place isn't exactly my cup of tea, but people at the center seemed to be enjoying it as it was quite busy.
It's a loud bold monstrosity in what seems (at least now) to be the middle of nowhere - like an oasis in the middle of one GIANT parking lot. The huge AMC movieplex and Renaissance Marriott hotel are the centerpieces here and chain restaurants abound here like Yard House, Gordon Biersch and soon to be built Gardunos.
It's like a smaller version of Kierland with retail on the first floor and office on the upper floors, but more isolated, with not as many stores and with huge Times Square-like billboard ads EVERYWHERE. It looks really TACKY. I think if you even stand around long enough you'll find a billboard on your back.