San Francisco Centre
San Francisco Centre was a large enclosed shopping mall in downtown San Francisco that operated from 1988 until its closure in January 2026.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
San Francisco Centre was a nine-story enclosed shopping mall in downtown San Francisco, California. It opened in October 1988 as San Francisco Shopping Centre and was developed by Sheldon Gordon, who was also associated with major American retail and entertainment projects. The original center contained approximately 500,000 square feet of space and was anchored by a large Nordstrom department store. Its design included a prominent spiral escalator and a direct underground connection to Powell Street station, served by BART and Muni Metro. The center was also connected to the former Emporium-Capwell flagship department store, creating a significant downtown retail complex. The mall initially experienced a slow start but later became one of the stronger-performing shopping centers in the United States. Its surrounding retail environment changed substantially during the 1990s. The neighboring Emporium store closed in 1996 after its parent company was acquired, and the vacated building was temporarily used by Macy's during renovations to the company's Union Square flagship. In 1997, Urban Shopping Centers acquired a half-interest in the mall and assumed management. Urban was later acquired by Rodamco North America, which in turn was sold in 2002 to a consortium that included Westfield. Westfield subsequently acquired full control of the center. A major redevelopment began after Forest City obtained redevelopment rights to the former Emporium property. Forest City and Westfield agreed in 2003 to combine the two sites. The resulting mixed-use complex opened on September 28, 2006, under the name Westfield San Francisco Centre. The project expanded the property to more than 1.5 million square feet and retained the original building's front facade and landmark dome while replacing most of the interior structure. Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox with Kevin Kennon as design principal, the redeveloped center included Bloomingdale's first West Coast flagship, a nine-screen Century Theatres multiplex, Bristol Farms gourmet supermarket, restaurants, specialty retailers, and San Francisco State University's Downtown Campus. The redevelopment reportedly cost $440 million. The expanded center received international industry recognition in 2009, when it won the International Council of Shopping Centers' Best-of-the-Best award for design and development. Nevertheless, its performance later deteriorated. Bristol Farms closed in 2017, and the former supermarket space was eventually occupied by Shake Shack. The Downtown Campus closed in 2021. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the mall faced sharply lower office-worker traffic, sales, occupancy, and public confidence in downtown San Francisco. In June 2023, Westfield and Brookfield announced that they would stop making loan payments and surrender the property to lenders. Century Theatres closed that month, and the Westfield branding was removed in July. Nordstrom closed in August 2023, leaving Bloomingdale's as the only traditional anchor. The mall entered receivership later that year, and numerous retailers departed amid disputes over security, maintenance, vermin, declining traffic, and the condition of common areas. Its occupancy fell from roughly 55 percent after Nordstrom's departure to approximately 25 percent by early 2024, while reported valuation declined substantially from its 2016 level. The property briefly adopted the name Emporium Centre San Francisco in February 2024, but management restored the San Francisco Centre name in October of that year. Bloomingdale's closed in April 2025, followed by additional luxury, fashion, jewelry, and specialty retailers. By late 2025 and early 2026, the remaining food and beverage businesses were also leaving. Panda Express, described as the final restaurant, closed on January 14, 2026. The mall closed on January 24, 2026, two days earlier than the publicly indicated January 26 date, after the last remaining tenant, ECCO, also shut. The closure ended the operation of a once-prominent downtown retail landmark and left its future redevelopment unresolved.
History
San Francisco Centre began operation in October 1988 as San Francisco Shopping Centre. Developed by Sheldon Gordon, the nine-story mall occupied a strategic downtown location near Union Square and Powell Street station. Its original configuration provided about 500,000 square feet of retail space and included what was then Nordstrom's largest store, occupying approximately 350,000 square feet. A direct connection to the adjacent Emporium-Capwell store and an underground station entrance helped make the complex part of San Francisco's principal shopping district. The mall was also noted for its spiral escalator, an unusual architectural feature that later became a visual symbol of the property. Although the center initially struggled to gain momentum, it subsequently became a high-performing American shopping center. The nearby Emporium store closed in 1996 following changes in department-store ownership. The building was temporarily adapted for Macy's use while its Union Square store underwent renovation. Ownership and management changed several times: Urban Shopping Centers acquired a half-interest in 1997, Rodamco North America acquired Urban in 2000, and a consortium including Westfield purchased Rodamco's American assets in 2002. Westfield then acquired the remaining interest and became the principal operator. The mall's defining transformation followed Forest City's acquisition of redevelopment rights to the former Emporium site. In 2003, Forest City and Westfield agreed to redevelop the properties together. The expanded Westfield San Francisco Centre opened on September 28, 2006. The project created a mixed-use complex exceeding 1.5 million square feet, preserving the original facade and dome but rebuilding most of the interior. Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the redevelopment, with Kevin Kennon serving as design principal. New components included a Bloomingdale's West Coast flagship, a Century Theatres multiplex, a Bristol Farms market, additional retail and dining space, and a downtown campus for San Francisco State University. Forest City became an equity partner and shared day-to-day management responsibilities with Westfield. The redevelopment cost was reported at $440 million. The project received industry recognition in 2009 when it won the International Council of Shopping Centers' Best-of-the-Best award for design and development. Over time, however, the operating model became vulnerable to changes in downtown commuting patterns, retail competition, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bristol Farms closed in January 2017, and the former supermarket space later became home to Shake Shack. San Francisco State University's Downtown Campus closed in 2021. In 2011, police officials had considered placing a substation in the mall in response to concerns about shoplifting. The mall's decline accelerated in 2023. Westfield and Brookfield announced in June that they would stop servicing the property's loans and hand the asset back to lenders. Century Theatres closed on June 15, Westfield signs were removed in July, and Nordstrom closed on August 27. Bloomingdale's remained the only anchor, while reported occupancy fell to about 55 percent. In October, a court-appointed receiver took control. Retail departures multiplied, and several tenants alleged that deteriorating common areas, safety concerns, vermin, and crime were harming business. American Eagle pursued litigation against mall-related parties and faced the possibility of a countersuit over its lease. By late 2023 and early 2024, the property had lost many recognizable retailers, including LEGO, Adidas, Hollister, Aldo, Madewell, J.Crew, and Lucky Brand. Reported occupancy fell to approximately 25 percent and the property's valuation was said to have declined substantially from its earlier peak. The mall was briefly renamed Emporium Centre San Francisco in February 2024, but the San Francisco Centre name returned in October. Further departures included L'Occitane, Sephora, American Eagle, Ted Baker, and numerous luxury and fashion stores. Bloomingdale's closed in April 2025, removing the last anchor. Additional retailers left throughout 2025, and the property faced repeated attempts to auction or sell its lien. Food-service operators reported that delivery and online ordering represented a large share of their remaining business. By the end of 2025, Shake Shack had announced its departure, while H&M also announced a January 2026 closure. Panda Express closed on January 14, 2026, eliminating the mall's last reported dining option. ECCO was the final remaining tenant and confirmed its closure shortly before the property shut. San Francisco Centre ultimately closed on January 24, 2026, ending the operation of a major downtown shopping complex.
- 2026
Mall closes
[1]San Francisco Centre permanently closes on January 24 after the final tenants depart.
- 2025
Bloomingdale's closes
[1]The final anchor department store closes in April, leaving the center without a traditional anchor.
- 2024
Temporary Emporium Centre name
[1]The mall adopts the Emporium Centre San Francisco name in February and returns to San Francisco Centre in October.
- 2023
Ownership and tenant crisis intensifies
[1]The owners stop loan payments, the cinema and Nordstrom close, Westfield branding is removed, and a receiver takes control.
- 2017
Bristol Farms closes
[1]The gourmet supermarket shuts on January 27; Shake Shack later occupies part of the former space.
- 2009
Wins ICSC design and development award
[1]The center receives the International Council of Shopping Centers Best-of-the-Best award for design and development.
- 2006
Major mixed-use redevelopment opens
[1]The expanded Westfield San Francisco Centre opens on September 28 with more than 1.5 million square feet and new department-store, cinema, grocery, education, dining, and retail components.
- 2002
Westfield enters ownership
[1]A consortium including Westfield acquires Rodamco North America's interests, after which Westfield builds toward full ownership.
- 1997
Urban Shopping Centers acquires an interest
[1]Urban Shopping Centers buys a half-interest and assumes management of the center.
- 1996
Neighboring Emporium closes
[1]The adjoining Emporium department store shuts after a change in corporate ownership, creating the redevelopment opportunity later pursued by Forest City.
Products and positioning
A large, centrally located urban shopping and mixed-use destination combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, entertainment, transit access, and educational space. During its peak after the 2006 redevelopment, it was positioned as a premium downtown retail landmark and a major San Francisco visitor destination.
Department store · 1988
Nordstrom
The original principal anchor was a large Nordstrom department store occupying approximately 350,000 square feet. It opened with the mall in 1988 and was described as the retailer's largest store at the time. The store closed on August 27, 2023, during the property's post-pandemic collapse.
Department store · 2006
Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's operated as the principal new anchor of the 2006 redevelopment and was promoted as the brand's West Coast flagship. It became the mall's only remaining anchor after Nordstrom's departure, but closed in April 2025.
Cinema · 2006
Century Theatres and XD
The redeveloped center included a nine-screen Century Theatres multiplex with two XD screens. The approximately 53,000-square-foot entertainment venue closed on June 15, 2023.
Gourmet supermarket · 2006
Bristol Farms
Bristol Farms operated a roughly 30,000-square-foot gourmet supermarket in the expanded center. It closed in January 2017, after which the space was reused by other food and restaurant tenants.
Educational facility · 2006
San Francisco State University Downtown Campus
The 2006 mixed-use redevelopment incorporated a 107,000-square-foot downtown campus for San Francisco State University. The campus later closed in 2021.
Restaurant · 2021
Shake Shack
Shake Shack opened in the former Bristol Farms area during the summer of 2021. It later became one of the better-known remaining food tenants but announced its closure in December 2025.
Controversies
2023
Tenant allegations over deteriorating mall conditions
American Eagle sued mall-related parties, alleging that common areas were not properly maintained and that safety and reputational problems were harming its business. The receiver later threatened a countersuit over the retailer's lease obligations.
Brand decisions
2026
Permanent closureOtherBackground
The property had lost its anchors, most retailers, all reported dining options, and nearly all occupancy.
Action taken
Management closed the mall on January 24, 2026, sealing the remaining Powell Street station entrance to customers.
Aftermath
The former enclosed shopping center became a defunct retail property with an unresolved future use.
2024
Temporary name change and reversalStrategyBackground
Management sought to alter the property's identity during a period of severe vacancy and operational distress.
Action taken
The mall was renamed Emporium Centre San Francisco in February and restored to San Francisco Centre in October.
Aftermath
The original San Francisco Centre identity remained in use until the property's closure.
2023
Owners cease loan payments and surrender propertyStrategyBackground
Post-pandemic sales, occupancy, and foot traffic had fallen sharply, weakening the property's ability to support its debt.
Action taken
Westfield and Brookfield announced that they would stop making loan payments and cede the property to lenders.
Aftermath
The mall entered receivership, major tenants departed, and the property underwent repeated efforts to sell or auction the underlying interest.
2003
Joint redevelopment with Forest CityStrategyBackground
The closure of the adjacent Emporium created a large vacant site beside the existing mall. Forest City held redevelopment rights, while Westfield operated the shopping center.
Action taken
Forest City and Westfield agreed to combine and redevelop the two properties as a large mixed-use retail and entertainment complex.
Aftermath
The resulting Westfield San Francisco Centre opened in 2006 with more than 1.5 million square feet and multiple non-retail uses.
Reported redevelopment cost. $440 million (2006 redevelopment)
Recent events
- 2026
San Francisco Centre closes permanently[1]
Other
After years of falling occupancy and tenant departures, the mall closed on January 24, two days before the previously indicated closure date.
- 2025
Bloomingdale's announces closure of its San Francisco Centre anchor[1]
Other
Macy's announced that the Bloomingdale's store would close. Its April departure left the complex without an anchor department store.
- 2024
San Francisco Centre temporarily renamed Emporium Centre San Francisco[1]
Other
Management announced a new name in February, later restoring San Francisco Centre in October.
- 2023
Westfield and Brookfield surrender San Francisco Centre to lenders[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The mall's owners announced that they would stop making loan payments and transfer control of the troubled property to lenders after major declines in sales, occupancy, and foot traffic.
- 2023
Century Theatres closes at San Francisco Centre[1]
Other
The mall's nine-screen multiplex ceased operations on June 15 as the complex entered a period of rapid tenant contraction.
- 2023
Westfield branding removed and Nordstrom departs[1]
Other
The property reverted to the San Francisco Centre name after Westfield signage was removed. Nordstrom closed on August 27, leaving Bloomingdale's as the only anchor.
- 2023
Court-appointed receiver takes control of the property[1]
Leadership change · Other
A judge appointed Gregg Williams of Trident Pacific to take possession, custody, and control of the mall while its financial and operational problems were addressed.
Sources1 sources
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