Bohannon Development is renovating the Hillsdale Shopping Center in California, US, through a redevelopment project focused on the property’s North Block. Owned by Bohannon Development, Hillsdale Shopping Center was built in 1955.
Construction on the redevelopment project began in 2016. The project includes the renovation of the North Block to add experiential spaces, as well as the demolition of certain existing structures.
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The northern portion of the shopping centre previously housed speciality retailer Cost Plus and integrated retail company Sears. The redevelopment project was planned to be completed in 2018.
Hillsdale Shopping Center location and design
The North Block of Hillsdale shopping centre is located on a 12.5acre site at the intersection of 31st Avenue and El Camino Real in San Mateo, California.
The 290,000ft² redevelopment project is designed to add retail, dining, and entertainment options for local residents. It includes the redesign and reconstruction of the first two levels of existing buildings in the block. The mall will include one two-storey building, one four-strorey building and three three-storey buildings.
A new solar photovoltaic canopy structure is being developed in the existing two-storey parking structure. Work also includes the addition of more stairs and elevator shafts within the mall. Another major improvement being undertaken at the shopping centre is the creation of public spaces to improve the experience of visitors.
In addition, the redevelopment includes landscape improvements around the project site area, including along El Camino Real and 31st Avenue.
Retail outlets and entertainment avenues at Hillsdale Shopping Center
Multiple tenants, including Apple, West Elm, Shake Shack, and Lululemon, have already occupied their spaces in the North Block. Palette Tea House, Ethan Allen, The Refuge, and Belcampo Meat Company will also move to the North Block.
The shopping centre also hosts retailers such as Michael Kors, H&M, LEGO®, Sephora, and Williams-Sonoma.
A new outdoor plaza, which was built as part of the redevelopment, is surrounded by a host of retail shops, restaurants, an 870-seat Cinepolis movie theatre and a Pinstripes bowling alley and entertainment centre. Spread across 50,042ft², the theatre complex includes ten auditoriums.
A new dining terrace overlooking the outdoor plaza was opened in November 2018. The dining space includes restaurants such as Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake, MidiCi Neopolitan Pizza, Kuro-Obi Ramen, Panda Express, Tacos El Grullense, and Blue Whale Poke Bar and Grill.
The outdoor plaza provides visitors with the opportunity to enjoy a Fountain Light Show. The show was created in order to meet a City of San Mateo Administration requirement, which mandates that art should be incorporated into the city’s public spaces. The fountain is spread over an area of 1,871ft² in the main public plaza.
Construction of Hillsdale mall redevelopment
The Sears outlet located in the North Block was demolished and a new outdoor mixed-use entertainment and dining district was erected in its place. A new plaza was constructed, linking El Camino and 31st Avenue through two pedestrian paseos.
Construction work also included the relocation of the food court from the ground level to the retail bridge over 31st Avenue. The food court was upgraded with new skylights and glass walls.
Hillsdale mall sustainability features
The project achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification through the use of green building technologies. The shopping centre uses recycled water for the purpose of irrigation and features efficient lighting systems.
Other sustainability initiatives that helped the mall secure the certification include a 200kW solar facility and a new building automation system. A water treatment facility was installed onsite to provide recycled water for the fountain.
Project benefits
One of the significant benefits of the redevelopment project is making 31st Avenue more pedestrian-friendly, with improvements that upgrade the lighting, slow vehicular traffic and broaden pavements.
The redevelopment will provide the residents with access to a community gathering space and more shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Contractors involved in Hillsdale mall redevelopment
Bohannon Development engaged a team of three firms to deliver the project design. ELS Architecture and Urban Design provided the masterplan and architectural design.
Stantec was contracted to prepare tenant criteria and design the seating environment for the dining terrace. Lifescapes International was engaged to provide landscape design services for the project.
ELS also worked with Michael Heacock Architects to incorporate sustainability measures into the North Block. C W Driver is the project’s general contractor.
In collaboration with C W Driver and Lifescapes International, Outside the Lines (OTL) designed and constructed the fountain.
Structural steel erection and installation services provider Western Steel Erectors also won a contract for the redevelopment project.
