The Shops at Palm Desert

The Shops at Palm Desert is a regional shopping mall in Palm Desert, California, serving communities across the Coachella Valley. The property opened in 1982 as Palm Desert Town Center after being developed by Ernest W. Hahn. Its original concept combined department-store anchors, inline retailers, food service, entertainment, and family-oriented amenities, including an indoor ice-skating rink and an eight-screen cinema. The approximately 62-acre development represented a major retail investment in the area and helped establish Palm Desert as a regional shopping destination. The mall has operated under several names as ownership, management, and tenant arrangements changed. It was initially known as Palm Desert Town Center, later became Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert after Westfield America acquired the property in 1999, and was subsequently shortened to Westfield Palm Desert when Westfield discontinued the Shoppingtown naming convention in the United States. In 2021, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield began preparing the property for sale and adopted the name The Shops at Palm Desert. Management was transferred to JLL during the sale process, and Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired the mall in late November 2023. The acquisition price was not publicly disclosed in the available reference material. The property has experienced the broader changes affecting American department-store retail. Its original anchors included May Company, Bonwit Teller, JCPenney, and Bullock's. Bonwit Teller's California stores closed in 1987, and its space was taken by Bullocks Wilshire. J.W. Robinson's also opened at the mall in 1987. Department-store mergers and rebrandings later reshaped the center: J.W. Robinson's and May Company became Robinsons-May in 1993, Bullock's became Macy's in 1996, and a former Robinsons-May location eventually became a Sears store. Macy's later moved into an expanded former Robinsons-May space, while Barnes & Noble joined the tenant mix in 2003. A significant redevelopment program began in 2013. It converted a vacant two-level anchor building into space for Dick's Sporting Goods and World Gym, and transformed another partially vacant anchor area into a street-facing Grand Entrance along California State Route 111. The entrance project incorporated restaurants, retail space, decorative fountains, and a reuse of the former Bullock's subterranean level for Macy's furniture operations. A previously announced Nordstrom expansion and cinema enlargement did not proceed, in part because of the economic downturn. The mall has included both national chains and specialty retailers, as well as a food court and cinema facilities. Its traditional major tenants have included Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Barnes & Noble. The Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas closed in February 2023, leaving the theater space subject to discussions with potential replacement operators. The Sears store, whose real-estate interest was spun into Seritage Growth Properties in 2015, closed in February 2020 after Sears announced a nationwide store-reduction program. The property's later identity reflects a shift from a Westfield-branded shopping center toward an independently owned regional retail and dining destination.

The Shops at Palm Desert opened in 1982 as Palm Desert Town Center, a large regional shopping development created by Ernest W. Hahn. The approximately 62-acre, $75 million project was designed as a comprehensive retail and entertainment destination for Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley. At opening, it contained four department-store anchors, approximately 130 inline shops, an eight-screen theater, a food court, and an indoor ice-skating rink. Early specialty attractions included the What's Up and Balboa Beach Company stores, as well as The Yellow Brick Road arcade located near the food court and skating rink. The original anchor lineup consisted of May Company, Bonwit Teller, JCPenney, and Bullock's. The tenant structure began changing in the late 1980s. Bonwit Teller closed its California stores in 1987, and its location was replaced by Bullocks Wilshire. That same year, J.W. Robinson's opened as an additional anchor. In 1989, after developing and managing the property for several years, Hahn acquired it from Palm Desert Town Center Associates. Department-store consolidation continued through the 1990s and 2000s. In 1993, J.W. Robinson's and May Company were rebranded as Robinsons-May. Bullock's converted to Macy's in 1996. In 1999, Westfield America acquired the center from TrizecHahn Corporation for $82 million, after which it was renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert. Westfield later abandoned the Shoppingtown label in most of its United States properties, and the mall became Westfield Palm Desert in 2005. Further retail restructuring altered the anchor spaces. The two Robinsons-May stores were consolidated in 2002, and one former J.W. Robinson's location became a Sears store, which opened in November 2004. Barnes & Noble entered the mall in 2003. In 2006, Macy's moved into the expanded former Robinsons-May building, closing the original Bullock's/Macy's location. Plans announced in 2006 for a full-line Nordstrom and a major cinema expansion were not completed, with the economic downturn contributing to the failure of the proposal. A new redevelopment phase began in 2013. A vacant two-level anchor building was adapted for Dick's Sporting Goods on the upper level and World Gym on the lower level. Another partially vacant two-level anchor was reshaped into a Grand Entrance with visibility from California State Route 111. The project included new retail and sit-down restaurant space, decorative fountains, and the preservation and reuse of the former Bullock's subterranean level. Macy's incorporated that lower-level area into its furniture operation, located below Barnes & Noble. By December 2014, the property had 151 specialty stores and was reported as 95.1 percent leased. The mall comprised approximately 980,041 square feet, including about 495,538 square feet of specialty-store space. In 2015, Westfield sold a 47.4 percent interest to O'Connor Capital Partners while retaining majority control. Sears Holdings also transferred the real-estate ownership of 235 properties, including the mall's Sears location, into Seritage Growth Properties. Sears later announced the store's closure in November 2019, and the location shut in February 2020. Westfield's corporate ownership changed again in 2017 when Unibail-Rodamco acquired Westfield and formed Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. In 2021, the new group announced plans to sell the mall. As part of the process, the property was renamed The Shops at Palm Desert and management was handed to JLL. Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired the mall from JLL in late November 2023; the sale price was not disclosed in the available sources. The Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas closed in February 2023, and potential replacement theater operators have been discussed. The property continues to function as a regional shopping center anchored by retailers including Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Barnes & Noble.

• 2023

  Cinema closes and new owner acquires the mall

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  The Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas closes in February, and Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquires the property in late November.

• 2021

  Property renamed during planned sale

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  The mall adopts The Shops at Palm Desert name as Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield prepares the property for sale and transfers management to JLL.

• 2020

  Sears closes

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  The Sears store closes following a nationwide store-reduction announcement made in 2019.

• 2017

  Unibail-Rodamco acquires Westfield

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition creates Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, the mall's subsequent controlling corporate group.

• 2015

  Minority interest sold to O'Connor Capital Partners

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Westfield sells a 47.4 percent interest while retaining majority ownership.

• 2013

  Major renovation begins

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Vacant anchor space is converted for Dick's Sporting Goods and World Gym, while a new Grand Entrance and related dining and retail areas are developed.

• 2005

  Shoppingtown branding is dropped

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Westfield removes the Shoppingtown name from most of its United States properties, including this mall.

• 2004

  Sears opens in a former anchor location

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  A former J.W. Robinson's anchor space becomes a Sears store.

• 2003

  Barnes & Noble joins the center

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Barnes & Noble opens at the mall, becoming one of its established major retailers.

• 1999

  Westfield acquires the mall

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Westfield America purchases Palm Desert Town Center from TrizecHahn Corporation for $82 million and renames it Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert.

• 1996

  Bullock's becomes Macy's

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  The Bullock's anchor adopts the Macy's brand.

• 1993

  May Company and J.W. Robinson's become Robinsons-May

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Two department-store anchors are rebranded as Robinsons-May.

• 1989

  Ernest W. Hahn acquires the property

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Hahn purchases the mall from Palm Desert Town Center Associates after previously developing and managing it.

• 1987

  Bullocks Wilshire replaces Bonwit Teller

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  After Bonwit Teller exits California, its mall location is taken by Bullocks Wilshire. J.W. Robinson's also opens as an additional anchor during the year.

• 1982

  Palm Desert Town Center opens

  [1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Ernest W. Hahn's approximately 62-acre regional shopping project opens with department stores, inline shops, a cinema, food court, indoor ice rink, and family entertainment facilities.

A regional, multi-anchor shopping center combining department stores, specialty retail, dining, and entertainment for Palm Desert and the wider Coachella Valley.

• Department store · 1996

  Macy's

  Macy's is one of the mall's principal department-store anchors. The location reflects the property's succession of department-store identities: the original Bullock's store became Macy's in 1996, and Macy's later moved into an expanded former Robinsons-May building in 2006. The retailer offers general merchandise, apparel, accessories, beauty products, and home-related goods.

• Department store · 1982

  JCPenney

  JCPenney is a long-standing anchor at the property, having been part of the original 1982 department-store lineup. Its broad department-store assortment supports the mall's traditional regional-shopping role, with merchandise spanning apparel, accessories, home products, and related categories.

• Sporting-goods retailer · 2013

  Dick's Sporting Goods

  Dick's Sporting Goods occupies space created through the mall's 2013 redevelopment of a vacant two-level anchor. The store broadens the center's tenant mix beyond conventional department stores with sporting equipment, activewear, footwear, and outdoor-oriented merchandise.

• Bookseller · 2003

  Barnes & Noble

  Barnes & Noble joined the mall in 2003 and became a significant specialty retailer within the center. Its bookstore format adds books, media, gifts, and related lifestyle merchandise to the mall's traditional apparel and department-store offer.

• Cinema

  Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas

  The cinema was part of the mall's entertainment offer and operated as a ten-screen Tristone venue. It closed in February 2023, after which discussions were held with potential theater operators regarding the space.

• 2023

  Cinema closure and replacement discussionsOther

  Background

  The existing ten-screen cinema ceased operating in February 2023.

  Action taken

  The cinema space was closed, and discussions were held with various theater chains about operating a replacement venue.

  Aftermath

  The available reference material does not identify a confirmed replacement operator.

  Source

• 2021

  Rebranding and sale preparationStrategy

  Background

  Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced plans to dispose of the mall as part of a broader portfolio strategy.

  Action taken

  The property was renamed The Shops at Palm Desert and management was transferred to JLL during the sale process.

  Aftermath

  Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired the mall in late 2023, ending the property's direct association with the Westfield operating brand.

  Source

• 2015

  Sale of minority ownership interestM&A

  Background

  Westfield adjusted its ownership structure while continuing to control the mall.

  Action taken

  Westfield sold a 47.4 percent interest to O'Connor Capital Partners and retained majority ownership.

  Aftermath

  The property continued operating under Westfield control before later corporate and ownership transitions.

  Source

• 2013

  Anchor-space redevelopment and Grand Entrance projectStrategy

  Background

  Vacant and partially vacant anchor spaces reduced the efficiency and street visibility of parts of the mall.

  Action taken

  The owner redeveloped one vacant anchor for Dick's Sporting Goods and World Gym and converted another area into a Route 111-facing Grand Entrance with restaurants and retail space.

  Aftermath

  The changes diversified the tenant mix, improved the property's external presentation, and reused portions of former department-store space.

  Source

• 1999

  Westfield America acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Palm Desert Town Center was acquired from TrizecHahn Corporation as Westfield expanded its United States shopping-center portfolio.

  Action taken

  Westfield America purchased the property and changed its name to Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert.

  Aftermath

  The mall operated under Westfield branding until the later removal of the Shoppingtown designation and eventual transfer through subsequent ownership changes.

  Acquisition price. $82 million (1999)

  Source

• 2023

  Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquires the mall[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Pacific Retail Capital Partners acquired The Shops at Palm Desert from JLL in late November 2023. The purchase price was not disclosed in the available reference material.

• 2023

  Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas closes[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The mall's Tristone Palm Desert 10 Cinemas closed in February 2023. Discussions subsequently took place with potential theater operators regarding the vacant space.

• 2021

  Mall renamed The Shops at Palm Desert during sale preparations[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield announced plans to sell the property, changed its name to The Shops at Palm Desert, and transferred management to JLL while the sale process continued.

• 2019

  Sears announces closure of Palm Desert store[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy

  Sears announced that its Palm Desert location would close as part of a nationwide plan affecting 96 stores. The store closed in February 2020.

• 2017

  Westfield acquired by Unibail-Rodamco[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Westfield was acquired by Unibail-Rodamco, creating Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which became the mall's controlling corporate group.

• 2015

  Westfield sells minority interest to O'Connor Capital Partners[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Westfield sold a 47.4 percent interest in the mall to O'Connor Capital Partners and retained majority ownership.

• 2015

  Sears property included in Seritage Growth Properties spinoff[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Sears Holdings spun off 235 properties, including the Sears location at the mall, into Seritage Growth Properties.

• 2013

  Redevelopment plan converts vacant anchor space[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A renovation program began converting a vacant two-level anchor building into space for Dick's Sporting Goods and World Gym while also creating a new Grand Entrance facing California State Route 111.

• 1999

  Westfield America acquires Palm Desert Town Center[1]The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Westfield America announced the acquisition of Palm Desert Town Center from TrizecHahn Corporation for $82 million. The property was subsequently renamed Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert.

1. 1The Shops at Palm Deserten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Westfield Palm Desert official websitewestfield.com