One of the largest real estate empires in California has been built on ... lima beans. The C.J. Segerstrom real estate empire built its crown jewel, South Coast Plaza, in 1967 on the family's former lima bean farm in Orange County, California. The giant 2.8 million sq. ft. mall has since become one of the highest-grossing shopping centers in the US (surpassing $1 billion a year, with nearly 300 stores).  The family also has interests in hotels, apartments, an industrial park, and several office buildings, including the Offices of South Coast Plaza, a 21-story high-rise. The company has long courted the tourist trade, and has invested in the local performing arts center to lure visitors.