With its August 17 opening date rapidly approaching, the finishing touches are now underway at the $700-million USC Village in University Park.

Located on the site of the former University Shopping mall, the 15-acre mixed-use expansion of the USC campus will include 2,700 student beds, 115,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and new academic facilities.  Plans also call for numerous pedestrian paseos, as well as new green space.

Trader Joe's and CVS Pharmacy have reportedly signed on as retail tenants for the development.

The project was designed by architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux in the Neo Gothic style.

Later phases of the Village could transform additional blocks located west on Jefferson Boulevard.