San Mateo County sees major retail shift as Hillsdale Mall plans major mixed-use renovation
San Mateo County, California – With preliminary designs revealed for a large renovation project, San Mateo County may soon see a notable change of one of its most iconic shopping centers, the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo. Details leaked indicate that the Sares Regis Group, together with Northwood Investors and Bohannon Development Company, has a proposal that might change the landscape of retail and residential living in the area.
With over three-quarters of the mall’s current retail buildings scheduled for removal, the proposal calls for a significant reduction in its current offerings. While the rest of the 44.7-acre site is projected to mix housing, extra retail spaces, and multi-level parking garages, the North Block will remain largely unaffected.
From its 1954 open-air retail center opening as a fixture of San Mateo, the Hillsdale Mall has seen several transformations throughout the years. Joining as a partner in 2021, Northwood Investors improves the capacity for mall development.
“We are excited to bring our mixed-use capabilities to Hillsdale and look forward to a long relationship with the Bohannon family and the community of San Mateo,” said Brady Thurman, a senior manager at Northwood.
With housing concentrated on the western side and along 36th Avenue, where the mall already owns a surface parking lot, the redevelopment seeks to turn the area into a walkable mixed-use neighborhood. The intended design is for a public square near the current North Block shops and a low-rise retail town. Retail areas and high-density offices are planned for near the El Camino Real.
Emphasizing community and connectivity, the renovation project to add about two million square feet of housing and substantially expand the commercial capacity as well as parking available. Projected to rise from 1.49 million to 2.06 million square feet, the overall commercial floor area will allow a mix of retail and office environments. From 3,399 to 5,390 stalls, parking capacity is likewise predicted to grow.
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Gehl Studio and HOK worked together on the design, which has a modern architectural style with mostly glassy offices above El Camino Real and apartment buildings scattered with large windows and balconies. Building heights will vary; shorter buildings near the low-rise residential areas next to the mall and larger ones near El Camino Real. The two tallest buildings are expected to reach up to 160 feet.
The renovation design has a strategic benefit from the mall’s close vicinity to the Hillsdale Caltrain Station and almost finished Bay Meadows mixed-use development, hence improving the area’s appeal as a transit-oriented attraction.
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Although the project’s expected cost and completion date are still unknown, the ambitious designs show an unwavering determination to revitalize and expand San Mateo’s residential and business scene. This project aims to confirm Hillsdale’s central importance as a Peninsula hub ready to satisfy changing needs of its population.
More details and photos are available here.
