The landscape of San Mateo's retail space is slated for a transformative change as plans to redevelop a portion of the Hillsdale Mall have surfaced. According to a report by NBC Bay Area, the Hillsdale Shopping Center is set to undergo renovations that include the introduction of outdoor commercial and residential spaces, in part to adapt to evolving shopping habits. The south part of the mall will be demolished to make way for this new open concept, while the north part will remain intact.
David Bohannon, CEO of the David D. Bohannon Organization, which built the mall and manages the renovation, aims to "create a new urban neighborhood, urban village if you will, that will have retail, office, and residential all in a mix of uses." The south section's redevelopment will yield 2 million square feet of retail, commercial, and residential space. The renovation plans are expected to be formally submitted by April for review by the San Mateo City Council, as per NBC Bay Area.
Joining the contemporary footsteps in neighborhood revitalization, the project, dubbed 'Hillsdale Reimagined,' intends to strip down the current indoor mall structure to make way for a mixed-use locale. As KRON4 reported, if approved, the western section off Edison Street could transform into three-story townhomes. However, these plans have induced mixed reactions among the mall's current employees. Cathy Corneleo, an H&M employee, told KRON4 that while housing could present new opportunities for residents, job searching is less favorable.
The redevelopment, spearheaded by Sares Regis Group, could see the demolition of three-quarters of the facility, as detailed by SF YIMBY. The preserved North Block will be complemented by low-rise retail villages, multi-level garages, and a new public square, with high-density offices and retail closer to El Camino and housing concentrated on the west. Additionally, parking capacity is to increase significantly from 3,399 to 5,390 stalls. Yet, the estimated cost and timeline for construction remain undisclosed.
