Santa Fe Place
An enclosed shopping center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the largest shopping mall in Northern New Mexico.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Santa Fe Place is an enclosed shopping center in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The property opened in 1985 as Villa Linda Mall and was developed by Herring Marathon Group. It is one of two enclosed malls in Santa Fe and is described as the largest mall in Northern New Mexico and the fourth-largest in the state. Its tenant mix has historically combined department stores, specialty retailers, restaurants, entertainment venues, and services. The center experienced several ownership changes after its opening. First Union acquired the property in 1997, Zamias Services, Inc. became the owner in 1999, and General Growth Properties acquired it in 2001. Greenfield and Associates purchased the mall in fall 2004 and initiated a reported $10 million renovation, including replacement of the roof and upgrades to the property. The redevelopment culminated in a November 2005 reopening under the Santa Fe Place name, replacing the Villa Linda Mall identity. Ownership changed again when Babcock & Brown purchased the property in 2007, followed by Trademark Property in 2010. Spinoso Real Estate Group owned and managed the mall from 2014 through 2023. During that period, the common areas received substantial improvements in 2014–2015, the food court was remodeled in 2019–2020, and the property pursued additional development concepts. Spinoso announced plans in 2021 for Escarpa, a proposed luxury, three-story apartment complex on the property. Plans for a Residence Inn on the northeast side were announced in 2022, although the available reference material does not establish that either development was completed. The mall’s tenant base has changed substantially over time. Original or early anchors included JCPenney, Sears, Bealls, and Mervyn’s. JCPenney relocated from De Vargas Center when Santa Fe Place opened, while Sears moved from its downtown Santa Fe location. Bealls closed in 1989, and the former space was associated with the development of the northern United Artists theater, which opened in 1991. Mervyn’s closed in 2008 following the chain’s bankruptcy. Sports Authority later occupied that space but closed during its own bankruptcy-related wind-down in 2016. Conn’s HomePlus subsequently occupied most of the former Mervyn’s area, but filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed. Other notable changes included the closure of United Artists North in 2011, the bankruptcy of Shoe Pavilion around 2013, and a wave of new or relocated tenants in 2016. Victoria’s Secret expanded and renovated its space while adding PINK, Torrid and Forever 21 opened new-to-market locations, and Cost Plus World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond joined the center. A proposed Regal Cinemas reopening followed the renovation of a former theater area, but H&M later occupied the former movie-theater space in 2017. Hobby Lobby relocated to Santa Fe Place in 2019, taking over the former Sears location. Bed Bath & Beyond later closed its Santa Fe store after the retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2023; Barnes & Noble subsequently announced plans for that space. A planned 2nd & Charles store announced in 2022 did not proceed after a management change. In 2023, Kohan Retail Investment Group purchased Santa Fe Place. The property’s current anchor lineup is identified as JCPenney, Dillard’s, Hobby Lobby, and Dunham’s Sports. Dunham’s was announced for the former Conn’s HomePlus anchor space in 2025, with the space renovated for sporting-goods retail and the store reported as opening in September 2025. The mall also retains a food-and-beverage component. Its original food court, El Mercado, housed restaurants, an arcade, and the United Artists South theater. After a management change it became The Market, and later renovations reduced the planned restaurant capacity and reconfigured the seating area. Spinoso remodeled the food court in 2020. Santa Fe Place therefore operates as a regional enclosed mall whose identity has been repeatedly refreshed through ownership transitions, renovations, tenant replacements, and redevelopment proposals.
History
Santa Fe Place began operations in 1985 as Villa Linda Mall, an enclosed shopping center developed by Herring Marathon Group in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The property was positioned as a regional retail destination and became one of the city’s two enclosed malls. Its early anchor lineup included JCPenney, Sears, Bealls, and Mervyn’s. JCPenney moved from De Vargas Center when Villa Linda Mall opened, while Sears relocated from downtown Santa Fe. The mall changed ownership several times around the turn of the century. First Union acquired it in 1997, Zamias Services, Inc. took ownership in 1999, and General Growth Properties purchased it in 2001. Greenfield and Associates acquired the property in fall 2004 and began a substantial renovation reported at approximately $10 million. The work included a new roof and other improvements intended to modernize the aging center. In November 2005, the property celebrated its reopening under the Santa Fe Place name. Further ownership changes followed. Babcock & Brown purchased the mall in 2007, and Trademark Property acquired it in 2010. Spinoso Real Estate Group owned and managed Santa Fe Place from 2014 to 2023. Under Spinoso, the common areas were significantly upgraded during 2014–2015. The property also pursued changes to its tenant and amenity mix. The former Bealls space had been converted for a United Artists theater, which opened in 1991. United Artists North closed in 2011, and the venue was later associated with plans for renewed cinema use before the space was ultimately taken by H&M in 2017. Mervyn’s closed in 2008 as a result of the retailer’s bankruptcy. Sports Authority occupied the former Mervyn’s space in 2013, but that retailer closed during its bankruptcy-related liquidation in 2016. Conn’s HomePlus later took over most of the former Mervyn’s area in 2022. Conn’s filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and closed, leaving the anchor space available for redevelopment. Dunham’s Sports was announced for the location in 2025, and the space was renovated for the sporting-goods retailer. The mall’s retail offering was refreshed in the mid-2010s. Victoria’s Secret relocated and renovated its store while adding PINK. Torrid and Forever 21 opened new-to-market locations, while Cost Plus World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond also joined the center in 2016. Bed Bath & Beyond eventually closed its Santa Fe store following the chain’s 2023 bankruptcy, and Barnes & Noble later announced plans for the former location. A planned 2nd & Charles store announced in 2022 did not advance after a change in management. Hobby Lobby moved its Santa Fe operation into the former Sears space in 2019. Santa Fe Place’s food-service area also evolved. The original food court, El Mercado, included 12 restaurants, an arcade, and the United Artists South theater. After a management change, it was renamed The Market. Its configuration was later altered, with capacity described as six restaurants after part of the area had been occupied by Foot Action and the seating surface was leveled. Spinoso remodeled the food court in 2020. Spinoso announced additional mixed-use concepts during its ownership period. In 2021 it proposed Escarpa, a luxury three-story apartment complex on the property, and in 2022 plans were announced for a Residence Inn on the northeast side. The available reference material does not confirm completion of either project. In 2023, Kohan Retail Investment Group purchased Santa Fe Place. The center remains an active enclosed regional mall with JCPenney, Dillard’s, Hobby Lobby, and Dunham’s Sports identified as its principal anchor stores.
- 2025
Dunham’s Sports opens in former Conn’s space
[1]The former Conn’s HomePlus anchor is renovated for Dunham’s Sports, which the reference reports as opening in September 2025.
- 2023
Kohan Retail Investment Group acquires the mall
[1]Kohan Retail Investment Group purchases Santa Fe Place after the Spinoso ownership period.
- 2022
Residence Inn and 2nd & Charles plans announced
[1]Plans are announced for a Residence Inn and a new-to-market 2nd & Charles store; the available reference material does not confirm completion of either plan.
- 2021
Escarpa announced
[1]A proposed luxury three-story apartment development called Escarpa is announced for the property.
- 2020
Food court remodeling
[1]Spinoso remodels the food court, previously known as El Mercado and later called The Market.
- 2019
Hobby Lobby relocates to former Sears space
[1]Hobby Lobby moves its Santa Fe store into the former Sears anchor.
- 2017
H&M replaces former theater space
[1]H&M takes over the former movie-theater area.
- 2016
Retail and entertainment refresh
[1]Several national retailers open, relocate, or expand, and plans are announced for a renovated multi-screen theater.
- 2014
Spinoso ownership and common-area upgrades
[1]Spinoso Real Estate Group begins its ownership and management period, with major common-area improvements continuing through 2015.
- 2013
Sports Authority occupies former Mervyn’s space
[1]Sports Authority takes over the former Mervyn’s location.
Products and positioning
A regional enclosed shopping center serving Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, with department-store anchors, national specialty retailers, restaurants, and service-oriented offerings.
Department store · 1985
JCPenney
JCPenney has been an anchor at Santa Fe Place since the center opened. The store relocated from De Vargas Center, Santa Fe’s first mall, when Villa Linda Mall began operations in 1985. Its department-store assortment supports the center’s traditional regional-mall role across apparel, accessories, beauty, home merchandise, and related categories.
Department store
Dillard's
Dillard’s is one of Santa Fe Place’s current principal anchor stores. As a department-store offering, it contributes broad apparel, accessories, beauty, and home-goods coverage to the mall’s tenant mix. The available reference material identifies Dillard’s as a present anchor but does not provide its opening date at the property.
Arts, crafts, and home décor · 2019
Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby relocated its Santa Fe store to Santa Fe Place in 2019, occupying the former Sears anchor space. The location adds arts-and-crafts supplies, seasonal merchandise, home décor, and hobby-related products to the center’s anchor lineup.
Sporting goods · 2025
Dunham's Sports
Dunham’s Sports was selected for the former Conn’s HomePlus anchor space after Conn’s filed for bankruptcy and closed. The large-format sporting-goods store required renovation and conversion of the former anchor area. The reference material reports an opening in September 2025.
Food court
The Market
The Market is the mall’s remodeled food-court area. It developed from the original El Mercado food court, which included restaurants, an arcade, and the United Artists South theater. After a management change, the area was renamed The Market and later reconfigured. Spinoso Real Estate Group remodeled the food court in 2020.
Brand decisions
2025
Dunham’s Sports anchor conversionProduct launchBackground
Conn’s HomePlus had occupied the former Mervyn’s anchor area before filing for bankruptcy and closing, leaving a large vacant space.
Action taken
The space was renovated and converted into a Dunham’s Sports store.
Aftermath
The reference material reports that Dunham’s Sports opened at the center on September 19, 2025.
2023
Sale to Kohan Retail Investment GroupM&ABackground
After Spinoso Real Estate Group’s ownership and management period, the property changed hands during a period of substantial anchor and specialty-tenant turnover.
Action taken
Kohan Retail Investment Group purchased Santa Fe Place.
Aftermath
The mall remained active, with later tenant repositioning including the conversion of the former Conn’s HomePlus space for Dunham’s Sports.
2020
Food-court remodelingStrategyBackground
The food-court area had changed from its original El Mercado format and required a refreshed layout and identity.
Action taken
Spinoso Real Estate Group remodeled the food court and operated it under The Market name.
Aftermath
The renovated area continued Santa Fe Place’s food-and-beverage offering in a revised configuration.
2019
Former Sears anchor reassigned to Hobby LobbyStrategyBackground
Sears had closed its Santa Fe Place store, leaving a major anchor location available for a replacement tenant.
Action taken
Hobby Lobby relocated its Santa Fe store to the former Sears space.
Aftermath
The former department-store anchor remained occupied by a large-format retailer focused on crafts, home décor, and related merchandise.
2004
Property-wide renovation and rebrandingStrategyBackground
After acquiring the former Villa Linda Mall, Greenfield and Associates pursued a major renovation to modernize the property and strengthen its regional shopping-center positioning.
Action taken
The owner invested a reported $10 million, including a new roof and other improvements, and relaunched the center as Santa Fe Place in November 2005.
Aftermath
The mall continued operating under the Santa Fe Place identity, although subsequent ownership and tenant changes continued to reshape the property.
Reported renovation investment. $10 million (2004–2005)
Sources1 sources
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