Hillsdale Shopping Center

Last updated
Hillsdale Shopping Center
Hillsdale Shopping Center 1950s Postcard.jpg
Hillsdale as seen shortly after opening in the 1950s.
Hillsdale Shopping Center
Location San Mateo, California, United States
Coordinates 37°32′15″N122°18′01″W / 37.53758°N 122.30031°W / 37.53758; -122.30031
Address60 E 31st Ave
Opening date1954;69 years ago (1954)
DeveloperDavid Bohannon
ManagementNorthwood Retail
OwnerBohannon Development Co.
No. of stores and services130
No. of anchor tenants 4 (2 open, 2 vacant)
Total retail floor area 1,300,000 sq ft (120,000 m2) (GLA)
No. of floors2 (3 in Nordstrom, 4 in Macy's and former Sears)
Public transit access Caltrain roundel.svg   Hillsdale
Aiga bus trans.svg SamTrans  57, 250, 251, 256, 292, 294, 295, 397, 398, ECR, KX
Aiga bus trans.svg AC Transit  M
Website hillsdale.com

Hillsdale Shopping Center, or simply Hillsdale, is a shopping mall in San Mateo, California, United States, currently anchored by Macy's and Nordstrom. Featuring over 130 stores and restaurants, it is at the intersection of Hillsdale Boulevard and El Camino Real or CA-82, adjacent to the Hillsdale Caltrain Station and the former site of Bay Meadows Racetrack. It is owned by Bohannon Development Co.

Contents

History

Developer David D. Bohannon acquired 848 acres (343 ha) from Burleigh H. Murray in the Beresford (later called Hillsdale) neighborhood in 1939-40 [1] and began developing the area, starting construction on the Andrew Williams Grocery Store at the corner of Hillsdale Boulevard and El Camino Real in 1941. [1] [2] Sears selected the Hillsdale site for one of its earliest suburban stores in 1948, and the Hillsdale Shopping Center master plan was completed in 1952; [2] Bohannon was reportedly inspired by the recently completed Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City. [3] In December 1954, Hillsdale Shopping Center opened as an open-air center, [4] featuring Sears (completed in 1949) [5] and the first suburban branch store of Macy's San Francisco, [6] later adding Emporium in 1962. Sculptures by Benny Bufano were commissioned for the mall in the 1950s. By 1970, Hillsdale had more than 150 stores. [1] Through the 1960s and 70s, Hillsdale Shopping Center marked the northern end of a popular Friday night cruise route along El Camino Real for young drivers. [7]

Bufano sculpture Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo (27680637536).jpg
Bufano sculpture

Competition with Fashion Island

In 1982, faced with competition from San Diego-based developer The Hahn Company's San Mateo Fashion Island shopping center less than two miles to the north, Hillsdale underwent a major renovation under the leadership of Bohannon's daughter, Frances Bohannon Nelson. [8] The outdoor shopping center was leveled and replaced with a modern two-level enclosed mall, encompassing Macy's and The Emporium along with two new anchors: Mervyn's [3] at the mall's north end and Northern California's first Nordstrom. [2] [5]

Fashion Island struggled from inception and gradually lost tenants until its closure in 1996. Bridgepointe, an outdoor power center and office park, sits on the former Fashion Island site. [9] [10]

Changing anchors

In 1995, the merger between Emporium parent company Broadway Stores and Macy's led to the closure of the mall's Emporium anchor. Sears traded its building across from the mall for the former Emporium building, and moved into the mall proper in 1996. [11]

The next major change for the property came in 2008 with the bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation of Mervyn's. The building was subdivided between three major tenants: The Cheesecake Factory and H&M on the building's ground floor, and Forever 21 occupying the building's second level and part of the first. [12] The mall's Crate & Barrel store, which had opened in 1996, became outmoded with the opening of larger stores in San Francisco and Palo Alto and shuttered in 2011. [13] Paul Martin's American Grill opened in the former Crate & Barrel in 2013. [14]

3419 Hillsdale 31 (14915700007).jpg
The former food court on the first level of the Sears Building north of 31st in 2014; the Sears Building was demolished in August 2016.
Hillsdale Shopping Center 1 2019-05-06.jpg
New food court, straddling 31st (2019)

North block reconstruction

The next renovation at Hillsdale started with a March 2013 planning document, filed with the city of San Mateo, detailing plans to replace Sears with a three-story 174,000-square-foot (16,200 m2) Target, adding a nine-screen luxury cinema, and relocating the food court from its location in the Sears/Cost Plus Building north of 31st Street to the second-story bridge over 31st; the bridge links the north Sears Building with the main mall building between 31st and Hillsdale. [15] [16] The plans also included a new building at the northwest corner of El Camino and 31st, to be built when a tenant was secured. [15] In December 2013, however, Bohannon put the proposed project on hold, citing changing market conditions. [17] Although Sears stated they had no plans to close the store at the time, the plans were made public in 2013, [15] the company later announced that they would close the Hillsdale store in April 2016. [18] [19]

Because Target pulled back from the 2013 proposal, which would have reused the existing Sears building north of 31st, it was re-imagined and re-introduced in November 2014. [20] Also partly in response to public and official feedback, Bohannon presented a modified version of the 2013 plans in February 2015, dropping the idea of building a three-story Target in favor of a bowling alley and fitness center, as the mall sought to be an experiential destination, pivoting away from retail space, in the face of competition from online shopping. [21] Planning officials asked Bohannon to consider incorporating housing as a mixed-use project, but a spokesman for the company said San Mateo's height restrictions made it unfeasible. [22] The plans were approved in March 2016. [23] Sears closed in April 2016. [24] Demolition of the former Sears building started on August 25, 2016. [25]

New North Block under construction (Oct 2018) New North block, Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo (45280312352).jpg
New North Block under construction (Oct 2018)

Construction on the replacement North Block buildings, which are planned to achieve LEED Gold certification, was expected to continue through fall 2018. The luxury cinema opened in late 2017. [23] Estimated completion dates were updated to spring 2019 in March 2018, with the new dining area opening on November 17, 2018. [26]

Hillsdale remained independently owned by the Bonhannon family until late 2021, when real estate firm Northwoods Investors took a stake in the property with the intent of remaking the mall into a mixed-use project. [27]

Anchors

Former anchors

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Mateo, California</span> City in California, United States

San Mateo is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, on the San Francisco Peninsula. About 20 miles (32 km) south of San Francisco, the city borders Burlingame to the north, Hillsborough to the west, San Francisco Bay and Foster City to the east and Belmont to the south. The population was 105,661 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanford Shopping Center</span> Shopping mall in Palo Alto, California, U.S.

Stanford Shopping Center is an upscale open air shopping mall located on Route 82 at Sand Hill Road in Palo Alto, California. It is on the campus of Stanford University although the university only owns the land and not the actual buildings or stores. Also, unlike the main academic campus, the shopping center and the neighboring Stanford University Medical Center are part of the city of Palo Alto, not the census-designated place (CDP) of Stanford, California. The shopping center buildings are 94.4% owned by Simon Property Group, which manages the property and leases the land from the university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northridge Mall</span> Shopping mall in California, United States

Northridge Mall is a shopping mall in Salinas, California, the largest in Monterey County. Located off Highway 101 near Boronda Road and North Main Street in the northern part of the city, the single-story structure encompasses 976,913 sq ft (90,758 m2) of retail space. Northridge Mall features more than 110 shops, two restaurants, a fast-food court with eight outlets, a Round One Entertainment, and three department stores including Hobby Lobby, JCPenney, and Macy's with one vacant anchor last occupied by Sears. It receives approximately 7.2 million visitors annually with approximately 3,000 spaces in the open-air parking lot. It's the only indoor shopping mall between San Jose and Santa Maria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hilltop Horizon</span> Shopping mall in Richmond, California

The Shops at Hilltop, formerly known as Hilltop Mall, was a regional shopping center in the Hilltop neighborhood of Richmond, California. Hilltop is managed and co-owned by Prologis, Inc. The anchor store is Walmart. There are 3 vacant anchor stores that were once Macy's, JCPenney and Sears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shops at Tanforan</span> Regional shopping mall in the United States

The Shops at Tanforan is a regional shopping mall in San Bruno, California, United States. It is located on the San Francisco Peninsula, 10 miles (16 km) south of San Francisco city limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullock's</span>

Bullock's was a chain of full-line department stores from 1907 through 1995, headquartered in Los Angeles, growing to operate across California, Arizona and Nevada. Bullock's also operated as many as seven more upscale Bullocks Wilshire specialty department stores across Southern California. Many former Bullock's locations continue to operate today as Macy's.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Shoppes at Carlsbad</span> Shopping mall in Carlsbad, California

The Shoppes at Carlsbad is a shopping mall in Carlsbad, California. The mall was originally named Plaza Camino Real when it was built in 1969, but was rebranded several times when it was a Westfield Holdings property (1994-2015). Its anchor stores are JCPenney and Macy's. A Robinsons-May closed in 2006, while Sears closed on December 15, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoneridge Shopping Center</span> Shopping mall in Pleasanton, California

Stoneridge Shopping Center is an upscale major shopping mall in Pleasanton, California. The mall is managed and co-owned by Simon Property Group, and is adjacent to Interstate 680.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northgate Mall (San Rafael, California)</span> Shopping mall in California, United States

Northgate Mall is a shopping mall located in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael, California, 15 miles (24 km) north of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's the largest of three shopping centers in San Rafael called Northgate. It was managed by The Macerich Company until 2017 and is now managed by Merlone Geier Partners. It is the only enclosed regional shopping center in Marin County. The mall's anchors are Macy's and Kohl's with a vacant anchor last occupied by Sears. It also contains a Century Theatres multiplex, a food court, and more than 90 specialty stores, services, and restaurants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunvalley Shopping Center</span> Shopping center in Concord, California

Sunvalley Shopping Center, or more popularly Sunvalley Mall, is a regional shopping center located in Concord, California. Located off Interstate 680, Sunvalley is owned and operated by the Taubman Company and is anchored by two Macy's locations, JCPenney, and Sears. The total square footage of the mall is 1.333 million square feet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NorthTown Mall (Spokane, Washington)</span> Shopping mall in Washington, U.S.

NorthTown Mall is a shopping mall located in Nevada Heights, Spokane, Washington, U.S.. The shopping mall first opened in 1955 as an open-air center and has been expanded several times, with its biggest expansion occurring between 1989 and 1991. The mall is currently anchored by Barnes & Noble, Get Air Trampoline Park, J. C. Penney, Kohl's, Marshalls, and Regal Cinemas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stonestown Galleria</span> Shopping mall in San Francisco, California

Stonestown Galleria is a shopping mall in San Francisco, California. It is located immediately north of San Francisco State University and near the former campus of Mercy High School which closed in 2020 and Lowell High School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hillsdale station (Caltrain)</span> Train station in San Mateo, California, U.S.

Hillsdale station is one of three Caltrain stations in San Mateo, California. The station is next to the Bay Meadows neighborhood and close to the Hillsdale Shopping Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NewPark Mall</span> Shopping mall in Newark, California

NewPark Mall is a 1,161,681 square feet (107,923.7 m2) super-regional mall in Newark, California. Opened in August 1980, it currently houses 119 stores. It serves the Tri-City area. The mall underwent extensive renovations that were completed in early 2017. Among the additions are a 12-screen AMC movie complex with an IMAX screen and an elaborate new glass-walled restaurant area with views through the entire property.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastridge</span> Shopping mall in San Jose, California

Eastridge, officially Eastridge Center, is a shopping mall in San Jose, California, located in the Evergreen district of East San Jose. Eastridge opened as the largest mall on the West Coast in 1971 and has been redesigned multiple times throughout its history, most recently in 2017. Eastridge serves as an important community hub in Evergreen and the larger East Side, hosting farmers markets, holiday celebrations, and community events. The anchor stores are JCPenney, Macy's, AMC Theatres, Round 1 Entertainment, and 24 Hour Fitness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway Plaza (Walnut Creek)</span> Shopping mall in California, United States

Broadway Plaza is an outdoor shopping mall located in downtown Walnut Creek. The shopping center opened on October 11, 1951 and is owned and operated by Macerich. The mall is anchored by Nordstrom and Macy's, and features nearly 80 stores including Crate & Barrel, flagship H&M and ZARA stores, a standalone Apple store with an adjoining outdoor plaza, an Industrious co-working space, a planned Pinstripes entertainment center and restaurant, and a planned Life Time Fitness sports club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Park (San Mateo)</span> Public park in San Mateo, California, United States

Central Park is the first public park in San Mateo, California, a 16.5-acre (7 ha) urban park bounded by El Camino Real, 5th Avenue, Laurel Avenue and 9th Avenue. It was established via a 1922 bond measure of US$80,000 to purchase the land originally owned by Charles B. Polhemus, and currently hosts a baseball field, tennis courts, sculptures, playground, Japanese tea garden, recreation center, miniature train, rose garden and the San Mateo Arboretum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayfair Center</span> Shopping mall in California, U.S.

Bayfair Center is a regional shopping mall and power center in San Leandro, California. It was among the first malls in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Anchor stores are Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Staples, Old Navy, PetSmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cinemark, and 24 Hour Fitness.

Bridgepointe Shopping Center is a shopping mall in San Mateo, California, United States. Opened in 1982 as San Mateo Fashion Island, it was originally an enclosed shopping mall featuring JCPenney, Bullock's, Liberty House, and Montgomery Ward as its anchor stores. Following the closures of Bullock's and Liberty House, the mall went into decline throughout the 1990s, leading to its closure and demolition in favor of a power center. Bridgepointe Shopping Center is owned and managed by CBRE Group. Major tenants of Bridgepointe Shopping Center include The Home Depot and Target.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fredericks, Darold (2 April 2012). "Hillsdale and David Bohannon". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Timeline". Bohannon Companies. 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 Fredericks, Darold (19 January 2015). "Super malls in the county". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 7 October 2017.
  4. ↑ On Film Inc (1957). "In the Suburbs". Redbook Magazine. Retrieved 10 July 2017– via Internet Archive. - promotional film
  5. 1 2 Morch, Al (19 May 1995). "Downtown San Mateo: Everything's waiting for you". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  6. ↑ Bohannon Companies (2011). "Bohannon Companies History". Bohannon Companies. Archived from the original on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 2015-04-22.
  7. ↑ Buchanan, Paul D. (25 March 2002). "Cruising the history of the El Camino Real". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  8. ↑ Lempert, Sue (4 May 2015). "OPINION: The legacy of Frances Bohannon Nelson (1922-2013)". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  9. ↑ Wilson, Marshall (1 December 1997). "Building on Fashion Island Failure / San Mateo's Bridgepointe attracts host of major stores". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  10. ↑ Hartlaub, Peter (14 January 2011). "Never mind the Bullock's: A tribute to Fashion Island in San Mateo". The Poop [parenting blog], San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  11. ↑ Wilson, Marshall (13 September 1997). "Book Smarts / San Mateo chains competing for readers, turf". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  12. ↑ Silverfarb, Bill (16 May 2011). "The Cheesecake Factory coming to Hillsdale". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  13. ↑ Wilcox, Barbara (17 February 2011). "Hillsdale Mall Pins Hopes on Remodel, New Tenants". San Mateo Patch. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Dudnick, Laura (1 July 2013). "Paul Martin's to Open at Hillsdale Shopping Center". San Mateo Patch. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  15. 1 2 3 Pender, Kathleen (25 March 2013). "Target may edge out Sears in San Mateo". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  16. ↑ Silverfarb, Bill (28 March 2013). "Cinema, Target in works for Hillsdale Shopping Center". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  17. ↑ Durand, Michelle (2 December 2013). "Hillsdale postpones shopping center renovation plans: Mall expansion halted for further economic review". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  18. ↑ Dowd, Katie (10 February 2016). "Local Sears, Kmart stores among dozens to be closed nationwide". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  19. ↑ Weigel, Samantha (27 January 2016). "Sears to close as Hillsdale revamp proceeds: San Mateo Planning Commission to consider future of shopping center". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  20. ↑ Weigel, Samantha (23 December 2014). "New proposal for Hillsdale Shopping Center: Bohannon Development Company wants luxury movie theater, bowling alley, gym". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  21. ↑ Weigel, Samantha (12 February 2015). "Hillsdale seeking fresh look: San Mateo officials, public respond favorably to revisions for proposed movie theater, bowling alley, other improvements". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  22. ↑ Weigel, Samantha (29 October 2015). "Hillsdale set for high-end renovations: Planners and community seek housing in shopping center redevelopment proposal". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  23. 1 2 Weigel, Samantha (9 March 2016). "Hillsdale Shopping Center getting revamp: San Mateo approves redevelopment, tearing down Sears". San Mateo Daily Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Sears confirms closing date for San Mateo store
  25. ↑ "End of an era". San Mateo Daily Journal. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  26. ↑ Schuessler, Anna (31 March 2018). "Hillsdale revamp takes shape" . Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Hillsdale mall in San Mateo brings big real estate investor on board". 7 December 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.