George Kelly

Fashion brand American Eagle has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the troubled mall in Downtown formerly known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, alleging more than 100 &#8220;significant security incidents&#8221; in the 12 months before May. The alleged incidents include the brandishing of firearms, verbal assaults against employees and staff members being threatened with a machete.

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Fashion brand American Eagle has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the troubled mall in Downtown formerly known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, alleging more than 100 "significant security incidents" in the 12 months before May. The alleged incidents include the brandishing of firearms, verbal assaults against employees and staff members being threatened with a machete.

Fashion brand American Eagle has filed a lawsuit against the owners of the troubled mall in Downtown formerly known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, alleging more than 100 &#8220;significant security incidents&#8221; in the 12 months before May. The alleged incidents include the brandishing of firearms, verbal assaults against employees and staff members being threatened with a machete.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in San Francisco Superior Court, said that neglect and purposeful rejection of criminal enforcement and security enhancements exposed its employees to theft, violence and aggression from customers. The news was first reported by the <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2023/09/12/american-eagle-lawsuit-westfield-mall-s-f-neglect.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco Business Times</a>.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in San Francisco Superior Court, said that neglect and purposeful rejection of criminal enforcement and security enhancements exposed its employees to theft, violence and aggression from customers. The news was first reported by the <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2023/09/12/american-eagle-lawsuit-westfield-mall-s-f-neglect.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco Business Times</a>.

&#8220;These incidents, individually and/or collectively, constitute an interference with American Eagle’s ability to use and enjoy the use of the store,&#8221; the suit said.

"These incidents, individually and/or collectively, constitute an interference with American Eagle’s ability to use and enjoy the use of the store," the suit said.

&#8220;These incidents, individually and/or collectively, constitute an interference with American Eagle’s ability to use and enjoy the use of the store,&#8221; the suit said.

Shoppers browse at Nordstrom in Westfield San Francisco Centre in San Francisco, Sunday, August 27, 2023. Nordstrom opened its doors to customers for the last time on Sunday ahead of its closing.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NordstromLastDay08242023_-0295-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-195522"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shoppers browse at Nordstrom in San Francisco Centre on the Downtown department store&#8217;s last day in business on Aug. 27. </figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NordstromLastDay08242023_-0295-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-195522"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shoppers browse at Nordstrom in San Francisco Centre on the Downtown department store's last day in business on Aug. 27. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NordstromLastDay08242023_-0295-1.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-195522"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Shoppers browse at Nordstrom in San Francisco Centre on the Downtown department store&#8217;s last day in business on Aug. 27. </figcaption></figure>

The company began leasing a first-floor store with an entrance onto Market Street at the mall in early 2017. The lease, which runs through the end of January 2028, requires American Eagle to pay &#8220;millions of dollars in annual rent&#8221; to Westfield, which &#8220;owes certain duties to American Eagle,&#8221; the lawsuit contends.

The company began leasing a first-floor store with an entrance onto Market Street at the mall in early 2017. The lease, which runs through the end of January 2028, requires American Eagle to pay "millions of dollars in annual rent" to Westfield, which "owes certain duties to American Eagle," the lawsuit contends.

The company began leasing a first-floor store with an entrance onto Market Street at the mall in early 2017. The lease, which runs through the end of January 2028, requires American Eagle to pay &#8220;millions of dollars in annual rent&#8221; to Westfield, which &#8220;owes certain duties to American Eagle,&#8221; the lawsuit contends.

The embattled mall has been caught in a maelstrom of discussion about its future, with its&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/29/heres-when-downtown-san-franciscos-nordstrom-will-close-its-doors/">behemoth Nordstrom store</a> closing <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/27/san-francisco-nordstrom-shoppers-say-goodbye/">in August</a>. Mayor London Breed has floated the idea of demolishing the mall and turning it into a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/downtown-san-francisco-soccer-stadium-plans-for-former-westfield-mall-revealed/">soccer stadium</a>.

Here&#8217;s when downtown San Francisco&#8217;s Nordstrom will close its doors

Inside the downtown San Francisco Nordstrom on its last day

Downtown San Francisco soccer stadium plans for former Westfield mall revealed

The embattled mall has been caught in a maelstrom of discussion about its future, with its&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/29/heres-when-downtown-san-franciscos-nordstrom-will-close-its-doors/">behemoth Nordstrom store</a> closing <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/27/san-francisco-nordstrom-shoppers-say-goodbye/">in August</a>. Mayor London Breed has floated the idea of demolishing the mall and turning it into a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/downtown-san-francisco-soccer-stadium-plans-for-former-westfield-mall-revealed/">soccer stadium</a>.

Numerous stores have closed in San Francisco&#8217;s Downtown core, many of which&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/02/nordstroms-exit-from-san-francisco-calls-downtown-malls-future-into-question/">cited unsafe conditions</a>&nbsp;in the area. The&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/san-francisco-ikea-opens-huge-line-furniture-meatballs-plant-balls/">new Ikea store that opened nearby</a> recently on Market Street&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/17/new-downtown-sf-ikea-will-have-nonstop-security-company-says-after-whole-foods-shutters/">announced in April that the store will feature</a>&nbsp;round-the-clock security.

Nordstrom&#8217;s exit from San Francisco calls downtown mall&#8217;s future into question

San Francisco Ikea opening: Customers form huge line that started at 5 a.m

New downtown SF IKEA will have nonstop security, company says after Whole Foods shutters

Numerous stores have closed in San Francisco's Downtown core, many of which&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/02/nordstroms-exit-from-san-francisco-calls-downtown-malls-future-into-question/">cited unsafe conditions</a>&nbsp;in the area. The&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/san-francisco-ikea-opens-huge-line-furniture-meatballs-plant-balls/">new Ikea store that opened nearby</a> recently on Market Street&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/17/new-downtown-sf-ikea-will-have-nonstop-security-company-says-after-whole-foods-shutters/">announced in April that the store will feature</a>&nbsp;round-the-clock security.

Numerous stores have closed in San Francisco&#8217;s Downtown core, many of which&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/02/nordstroms-exit-from-san-francisco-calls-downtown-malls-future-into-question/">cited unsafe conditions</a>&nbsp;in the area. The&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/san-francisco-ikea-opens-huge-line-furniture-meatballs-plant-balls/">new Ikea store that opened nearby</a> recently on Market Street&nbsp;<a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/17/new-downtown-sf-ikea-will-have-nonstop-security-company-says-after-whole-foods-shutters/">announced in April that the store will feature</a>&nbsp;round-the-clock security.

French real estate company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which co-owns the building with Brookfield Properties, announced in June it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/12/westfield-gives-up-downtown-san-francisco-mall/">would give up control of the mall</a> and planned to default on a multimillion-dollar loan for the space. The mall has since been renamed San Francisco Centre.

Westfield gives up downtown San Francisco mall

French real estate company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which co-owns the building with Brookfield Properties, announced in June it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/12/westfield-gives-up-downtown-san-francisco-mall/">would give up control of the mall</a> and planned to default on a multimillion-dollar loan for the space. The mall has since been renamed San Francisco Centre.

Vacant retail on Grant Street in San Francisco, Calif., Saturday, May 13, 2023. Downtown San Francisco has a number of empty and shuttered storefronts juxtaposed with an increasing number of high-end luxury stores.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/20230513_UNIONSQUARE_-0719.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-192792"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Downtown San Francisco has many empty and shuttered storefronts.</figcaption></figure>

&#8220;American Eagle believed it was leasing a prime retail space with a street-front entrance in Downtown San Francisco from one of the most established and reputable retail landlords in the country,&#8221; the lawsuit added. &#8220;But Westfield let the mall deteriorate into disarray, leaving American Eagle and its employees to suffer and respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies.&#8221;

"American Eagle believed it was leasing a prime retail space with a street-front entrance in Downtown San Francisco from one of the most established and reputable retail landlords in the country," the lawsuit added. "But Westfield let the mall deteriorate into disarray, leaving American Eagle and its employees to suffer and respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies."

&#8220;American Eagle believed it was leasing a prime retail space with a street-front entrance in Downtown San Francisco from one of the most established and reputable retail landlords in the country,&#8221; the lawsuit added. &#8220;But Westfield let the mall deteriorate into disarray, leaving American Eagle and its employees to suffer and respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies.&#8221;

American Eagle said it closed the street entrance of its store in an attempt to make employees safer, doubled its security expenditures starting in 2022 with security guard hires, installed security window film to counter vandalism, burglaries and smash-and-grab robberies, and upgraded its security-camera system after incidents of violence. The company said the costs of the measures would not have been required if Westfield met its lease obligations.

American Eagle said it closed the street entrance of its store in an attempt to make employees safer, doubled its security expenditures starting in 2022 with security guard hires, installed security window film to counter vandalism, burglaries and smash-and-grab robberies, and upgraded its security-camera system after incidents of violence. The company said the costs of the measures would not have been required if Westfield met its lease obligations.

&#8220;This is not the store American Eagle paid millions of dollars for, or the store that Westfield promised,&#8221; the lawsuit continues. &#8220;Westfield cannot walk away from the harm that it has caused without consequence. [Westfield] must be held accountable for the damages caused by its failures and broken promises.&#8221;

"This is not the store American Eagle paid millions of dollars for, or the store that Westfield promised," the lawsuit continues. "Westfield cannot walk away from the harm that it has caused without consequence. [Westfield] must be held accountable for the damages caused by its failures and broken promises."

&#8220;This is not the store American Eagle paid millions of dollars for, or the store that Westfield promised,&#8221; the lawsuit continues. &#8220;Westfield cannot walk away from the harm that it has caused without consequence. [Westfield] must be held accountable for the damages caused by its failures and broken promises.&#8221;

The company seeks compensatory damages for breach of contract to be determined at trial, including costs, expenses, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief deemed appropriate by a court.

The company seeks compensatory damages for breach of contract to be determined at trial, including costs, expenses, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief deemed appropriate by a court.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield did not respond to requests for comment.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield did not respond to requests for comment.

American Eagle says it operates over 1,400 stores worldwide that pulled in more than $1.7 billion in gross revenue last year.

American Eagle says it operates over 1,400 stores worldwide that pulled in more than $1.7 billion in gross revenue last year.

Clothing store suing San Francisco mall over rampant crime

Kevin V. Nguyen

Brian and Hailey Politron opened a luxury sneaker reseller called Nectar Supply on the third floor of the Westfield San Francisco Centre in 2022 after a successful holiday pop-up convinced the then-23-year-olds they were ready for a long-term investment.

Brian and Hailey Politron opened a luxury sneaker reseller called Nectar Supply on the third floor of the Westfield San Francisco Centre in 2022 after a successful holiday pop-up convinced the then-23-year-olds they were ready for a long-term investment.

As opposed to their mall neighbors Foot Locker and Shoe Palace, which primarily carry the latest styles and makes, Nectar stocks as many rare vintage Nike Dunks, Air Jordans and Yeezys as it can source.&nbsp;

As opposed to their mall neighbors Foot Locker and Shoe Palace, which primarily carry the latest styles and makes, Nectar stocks as many rare vintage Nike Dunks, Air Jordans and Yeezys as it can source.&nbsp;

In their first full year of business, the Politrons brought in around $2 million in sales, more than enough to cover operating expenses plus the $16,000 monthly lease they signed with the then-owners of the mall, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, at the beginning of that year.

In their first full year of business, the Politrons brought in around $2 million in sales, more than enough to cover operating expenses plus the $16,000 monthly lease they signed with the then-owners of the mall, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, at the beginning of that year.

“That first year was so great,” Hailey Politron said. “Our sales in San Francisco motivated us to keep building our empire.” In April 2023, the couple used that momentum to branch out, opening up a second store at Westfield Galleria at Roseville, near Sacramento.

“That first year was so great,” Hailey Politron said. “Our sales in San Francisco motivated us to keep building our empire.” In April 2023, the couple used that momentum to branch out, opening up a second store at Westfield Galleria at Roseville, near Sacramento.

A shoppers walks by the storefront of Adidas, which is having a closing sale, inside the San Francisco Centre Mall, formerly Westfield Mall, on Market Street on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined1_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="silhouette of a man walking in empty mall" class="wp-image-242082"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A shopper walks by the former storefront for Adidas inside the San Francisco Centre mall, formerly Westfield mall. The store permanently closed its doors earlier this month.</figcaption></figure>

Then—seemingly overnight—the rug was pulled out from under them.

Then—seemingly overnight—the rug was pulled out from under them.

A month after their second location’s grand opening, the San Francisco mall’s most prominent anchor tenant, Nordstrom, announced it would close its doors in August, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/02/nordstroms-exit-from-san-francisco-calls-downtown-malls-future-into-question/">leaving more than 300,000 square feet</a> vacant across five floors. Shortly thereafter, the mall’s owners, Westfield and Brookfield Properties, said they were <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/12/westfield-gives-up-downtown-san-francisco-mall/">handing the property back to lenders</a> after the companies ostensibly found it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/05/brookfield-ballast-residential-landlord-in-sf-apartment-veritas/">no longer worth investing in</a>.

This real estate company dumped its downtown San Francisco mall. Now it&#8217;s gobbling up apartments

A month after their second location’s grand opening, the San Francisco mall’s most prominent anchor tenant, Nordstrom, announced it would close its doors in August, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/02/nordstroms-exit-from-san-francisco-calls-downtown-malls-future-into-question/">leaving more than 300,000 square feet</a> vacant across five floors. Shortly thereafter, the mall’s owners, Westfield and Brookfield Properties, said they were <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/12/westfield-gives-up-downtown-san-francisco-mall/">handing the property back to lenders</a> after the companies ostensibly found it <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/05/brookfield-ballast-residential-landlord-in-sf-apartment-veritas/">no longer worth investing in</a>.

Now, stripped of the Westfield name and the brand’s distinctive red lettering, the 1.5-million-square-foot San Francisco Centre has become synonymous with the challenges of Downtown San Francisco: a hollowed-out business district, vacancy rates hovering at historic highs, widespread public safety concerns and business owners like the Politrons trying to find a way to survive despite what appears to be increasingly insurmountable odds.

Now, stripped of the Westfield name and the brand’s distinctive red lettering, the 1.5-million-square-foot San Francisco Centre has become synonymous with the challenges of Downtown San Francisco: a hollowed-out business district, vacancy rates hovering at historic highs, widespread public safety concerns and business owners like the Politrons trying to find a way to survive despite what appears to be increasingly insurmountable odds.

Hailey and Brian Politron pose for a portrait inside their shoe store, Nectar, in the San Francisco Centre mall, formerly Westfield mall, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. Hailey and her husband Brian Politron opened Nectar in 2022 and in their first full year of business, the Politrons brought in around $2 million in sales. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined2_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="woman leans on man in shoe store" class="wp-image-242083"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hailey and Brian Politron outside of their shoe store, Nectar Supply, in San Francisco Centre. The couple opened the store in 2022 and made enough money in their first full year of business to open a second location in Roseville.</figcaption></figure>

“Once Nordstrom closed, the mall became like a ghost town,” Brian Politron said from behind the register, looking out at the bright white walls of shoes at Nectar. With fewer and fewer customers coming, the couple sometimes pass the time by creating silly social media videos about their business making light of the situation and perhaps enjoying a bit of catharsis for themselves.

“Once Nordstrom closed, the mall became like a ghost town,” Brian Politron said from behind the register, looking out at the bright white walls of shoes at Nectar. With fewer and fewer customers coming, the couple sometimes pass the time by creating silly social media videos about their business making light of the situation and perhaps enjoying a bit of catharsis for themselves.

Last year was nothing short of a financial disaster for Nectar, Brian Politron said. The monthly rent payments have remained the same. Sales at the San Francisco store, on the other hand, plummeted by more than 55% in 2023.

Last year was nothing short of a financial disaster for Nectar, Brian Politron said. The monthly rent payments have remained the same. Sales at the San Francisco store, on the other hand, plummeted by more than 55% in 2023.

“It doesn’t make any sense to pay rent near that amount,” Brian Politron said. “It’s the last thing we want to do since it all started at this mall, … but if things don’t change soon, we’re going to have to close.”

“It doesn’t make any sense to pay rent near that amount,” Brian Politron said. “It’s the last thing we want to do since it all started at this mall, … but if things don’t change soon, we’re going to have to close.”

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-generational-change">A Generational Change</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-generational-change">A Generational Change</h2>

For the Politrons and other remaining tenants at the San Francisco Centre, the constant drumbeat of store closures—with at least five shops shuttering since the new year alone—looms over them like a dark cloud. The mall is currently more than 50% vacant.&nbsp;

For the Politrons and other remaining tenants at the San Francisco Centre, the constant drumbeat of store closures—with at least five shops shuttering since the new year alone—looms over them like a dark cloud. The mall is currently more than 50% vacant.&nbsp;

On their way out the door, companies like Nordstrom and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/10/downtown-san-francisco-whole-foods-market-closing/">Whole Foods</a> have cited deteriorating street conditions and security concerns for their decision to close up shop Downtown. Other observers point to the rise of online shopping as the primary culprit for why places like San Francisco Centre mall and its big-box counterparts are becoming obsolete. Meanwhile, every person involved in commercial real estate agrees that the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/18/san-francisco-office-real-estate-vacancy-salesforce-tower/">flight of office workers from urban cores</a> broke the dam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Downtown San Francisco Whole Foods closing a year after opening

More than a third of San Francisco&#8217;s office space is currently vacant

On their way out the door, companies like Nordstrom and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/04/10/downtown-san-francisco-whole-foods-market-closing/">Whole Foods</a> have cited deteriorating street conditions and security concerns for their decision to close up shop Downtown. Other observers point to the rise of online shopping as the primary culprit for why places like San Francisco Centre mall and its big-box counterparts are becoming obsolete. Meanwhile, every person involved in commercial real estate agrees that the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/18/san-francisco-office-real-estate-vacancy-salesforce-tower/">flight of office workers from urban cores</a> broke the dam.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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While those narratives offer a convenient explanation for a recent epidemic of store closures, there’s always <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/18/san-franciscos-union-square-isnt-dying-its-transforming/">more to the story</a>, said Michael Berne, president of MJB Consulting, a Berkeley- and New York-based retail planning and real estate consultancy.&nbsp;

San Francisco’s Union Square isn’t dying—it’s transforming

While those narratives offer a convenient explanation for a recent epidemic of store closures, there’s always <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/05/18/san-franciscos-union-square-isnt-dying-its-transforming/">more to the story</a>, said Michael Berne, president of MJB Consulting, a Berkeley- and New York-based retail planning and real estate consultancy.&nbsp;

According to Berne, the sudden halt of foreign tourism to San Francisco during the initial years of the pandemic isn’t talked about enough when discussing declining foot traffic—the lifeblood of any retail investment. Moreover, Berne said, the era of multilevel flagship stores, like those once operated by Gap or Forever 21, were already seeing declines during the previous decade, well before the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Berne, the sudden halt of foreign tourism to San Francisco during the initial years of the pandemic isn’t talked about enough when discussing declining foot traffic—the lifeblood of any retail investment. Moreover, Berne said, the era of multilevel flagship stores, like those once operated by Gap or Forever 21, were already seeing declines during the previous decade, well before the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Case in point, before giving up the San Francisco mall, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said it planned to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/westfield-malls-european-owner-says-it-is-done-with-the-u-s-11649160000?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shed most of its U.S. portfolio</a> by the end of 2023, citing the need to reduce its debt and refocus on its properties in Europe. It has since opted to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/a-mall-owners-about-face-bet-on-americas-high-end-malls-a32d9487" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintain a handful of top-performing malls</a>.&nbsp;

Case in point, before giving up the San Francisco mall, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said it planned to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/westfield-malls-european-owner-says-it-is-done-with-the-u-s-11649160000?mod=article_inline" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shed most of its U.S. portfolio</a> by the end of 2023, citing the need to reduce its debt and refocus on its properties in Europe. It has since opted to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/commercial/a-mall-owners-about-face-bet-on-americas-high-end-malls-a32d9487" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintain a handful of top-performing malls</a>.&nbsp;

A homeless person sleeps on a bench in front of closed retail stores in downtown San Francisco on April 16, 2021. As San Francisco begins to slowly reopen a year after the city went into lockdown due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, many of the city's businesses have shut their doors forever. San Francisco mayor London Breed is asking San Franciscans to patronize local businesses for the next 30 days as she pushes to prioritize small businesses.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined3_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2247" alt="A homeless person sleeps on a bench in front of closed retail stores" class="wp-image-242084"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield cited deteriorating street conditions, among other reasons, for its departure from Downtown San Francisco. </figcaption></figure>

More recently, Macy’s, which operates a flagship store in nearby Union Square, announced that it plans to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/macys-to-cut-about-2-350-jobs-close-five-stores-f7daac9d">lay off about 13% of its corporate staff</a>, roughly 2,350 positions, and close five stores, including one in San Leandro, in a bid to trim costs. Macy&#8217;s Inc. is the owner of Bloomingdale’s, the San Francisco Centre’s remaining anchor tenant.&nbsp;

More recently, Macy’s, which operates a flagship store in nearby Union Square, announced that it plans to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/macys-to-cut-about-2-350-jobs-close-five-stores-f7daac9d">lay off about 13% of its corporate staff</a>, roughly 2,350 positions, and close five stores, including one in San Leandro, in a bid to trim costs. Macy's Inc. is the owner of Bloomingdale’s, the San Francisco Centre’s remaining anchor tenant.&nbsp;

More recently, Macy’s, which operates a flagship store in nearby Union Square, announced that it plans to <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/macys-to-cut-about-2-350-jobs-close-five-stores-f7daac9d">lay off about 13% of its corporate staff</a>, roughly 2,350 positions, and close five stores, including one in San Leandro, in a bid to trim costs. Macy&#8217;s Inc. is the owner of Bloomingdale’s, the San Francisco Centre’s remaining anchor tenant.&nbsp;

“Layered onto this is a broader changing of the guard,” Berne said. “Many older brands are losing some of their relevance, and the brands that excite the younger generations generally prefer smaller floor plates.”&nbsp;

“Layered onto this is a broader changing of the guard,” Berne said. “Many older brands are losing some of their relevance, and the brands that excite the younger generations generally prefer smaller floor plates.”&nbsp;

As for the idea of online shopping killing brick-and-mortars, that would’ve happened already if it were true, Berne said. According to the Pew Research Center, while online sales have steadily increased year over year since 1999, when the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking the figure, they still <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/22/online-shopping-has-grown-rapidly-in-u-s-but-most-sales-are-still-in-stores/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">make up less than 20% of all retail sales</a> in the country.&nbsp;

As for the idea of online shopping killing brick-and-mortars, that would’ve happened already if it were true, Berne said. According to the Pew Research Center, while online sales have steadily increased year over year since 1999, when the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking the figure, they still <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/22/online-shopping-has-grown-rapidly-in-u-s-but-most-sales-are-still-in-stores/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">make up less than 20% of all retail sales</a> in the country.&nbsp;

“Retail only seems like it&#8217;s dying,” Berne said, citing the Commerce Department’s latest numbers that said <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/us-retail-sales-report-2024-030eaa0a">consumers continued to spend</a> despite fears of a recession. “But as parts of it contract, other brands far more alluring to Millennials and Gen Z&#8217;ers are going to take their place.”&nbsp;

“Retail only seems like it's dying,” Berne said, citing the Commerce Department’s latest numbers that said <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/us-retail-sales-report-2024-030eaa0a">consumers continued to spend</a> despite fears of a recession. “But as parts of it contract, other brands far more alluring to Millennials and Gen Z'ers are going to take their place.”&nbsp;

“Retail only seems like it&#8217;s dying,” Berne said, citing the Commerce Department’s latest numbers that said <a href="https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/us-retail-sales-report-2024-030eaa0a">consumers continued to spend</a> despite fears of a recession. “But as parts of it contract, other brands far more alluring to Millennials and Gen Z&#8217;ers are going to take their place.”&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-are-still-here">‘We Are Still Here’</h2>

But conversations about theoretical economic trends provide little solace to remaining tenants at the San Francisco Centre, who are dealing with urgent concerns like rising operating costs and dwindling sales.&nbsp;

But conversations about theoretical economic trends provide little solace to remaining tenants at the San Francisco Centre, who are dealing with urgent concerns like rising operating costs and dwindling sales.&nbsp;

“People keep thinking the mall is closed,” Rabia Waqar, co-owner of Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food said while making naan in a tandoori oven custom-built for her restaurant inside the mall’s basement-level food court. “But it is not. We are still here.”

“People keep thinking the mall is closed,” Rabia Waqar, co-owner of Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food said while making naan in a tandoori oven custom-built for her restaurant inside the mall’s basement-level food court. “But it is not. We are still here.”

Rabia Waqar, Co-owner of Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food, prepares handmade naan bread inside the kitchen area of her restaurant inside the food court of the San Francisco Centre mall, formerly Westfield mall, in San Francisco on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined4_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=1667" alt="woman stands in red apron and head covering in kitchen" class="wp-image-242085"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rabia Waqar, co-owner of Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food, prepares handmade naan bread inside the kitchen area of her restaurant inside the food court of the San Francisco Centre.</figcaption></figure>

After operating a food truck for five years, Waqar and husband Mohammad’s first brick-and-mortar location should have been the culmination of their hard work. Instead, they say the continued exodus of brand-name stores from the mall threatens their future before they even get a chance to write it.&nbsp;

After operating a food truck for five years, Waqar and husband Mohammad’s first brick-and-mortar location should have been the culmination of their hard work. Instead, they say the continued exodus of brand-name stores from the mall threatens their future before they even get a chance to write it.&nbsp;

Like the Politrons, the Waqars moved into the mall in 2022 and enjoyed a reliable stream of business up until Nordstrom decamped and Westfield defaulted over the summer.&nbsp;

Like the Politrons, the Waqars moved into the mall in 2022 and enjoyed a reliable stream of business up until Nordstrom decamped and Westfield defaulted over the summer.&nbsp;

The menu at Mashaallah, which features North Indian staples like channa masala and biryani and Pakistani specialties like shammi kebab and roasted lamb shank, has already drawn <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/mashallah-halal-food-pakistani-restaurant-san-francisco-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hundreds of positive reviews online</a>. Soleil Ho, the prominent former restaurant critic, recently called it &#8220;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2da90KPUMF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the best lunch option in downtown SF right now.</a>&#8220;

The menu at Mashaallah, which features North Indian staples like channa masala and biryani and Pakistani specialties like shammi kebab and roasted lamb shank, has already drawn <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/mashallah-halal-food-pakistani-restaurant-san-francisco-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hundreds of positive reviews online</a>. Soleil Ho, the prominent former restaurant critic, recently called it "<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2da90KPUMF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the best lunch option in downtown SF right now.</a>"

The menu at Mashaallah, which features North Indian staples like channa masala and biryani and Pakistani specialties like shammi kebab and roasted lamb shank, has already drawn <a href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/mashallah-halal-food-pakistani-restaurant-san-francisco-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hundreds of positive reviews online</a>. Soleil Ho, the prominent former restaurant critic, recently called it &#8220;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2da90KPUMF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the best lunch option in downtown SF right now.</a>&#8220;

So much so, that the couple is willing to keep paying their existing rent agreement as is, said Mohammad Waqar. But before they do, they’d like to see the operators of the mall, whoever that ends up being, invest in bringing in new businesses and reactivating the property’s many vacant spaces.&nbsp;

So much so, that the couple is willing to keep paying their existing rent agreement as is, said Mohammad Waqar. But before they do, they’d like to see the operators of the mall, whoever that ends up being, invest in bringing in new businesses and reactivating the property’s many vacant spaces.&nbsp;

Customers dine near Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food inside the food court inside the San Francisco Centre mall, formerly Westfield mall, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined5_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="people dine in front of a halal pakistani restaurant stand" class="wp-image-242086"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">After dozens of closures to various businesses within San Francisco Centre, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers, even though the future of the mall is in question.</figcaption></figure>

Tenants received a bit more clarity in October when the courts <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/10/downtown-san-francisco-centre-receiver/">appointed Trident Pacific Real Estate Group as the mall’s receiver</a>.&nbsp;

New development could lead to sale of struggling downtown San Francisco mall

Tenants received a bit more clarity in October when the courts <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/10/10/downtown-san-francisco-centre-receiver/">appointed Trident Pacific Real Estate Group as the mall’s receiver</a>.&nbsp;

As the property’s custodian, Trident Pacific has the authority to manage, reposition and potentially sell the property. Soon after its appointment, Trident Pacific enlisted real estate firm JLL as its property manager to market vacant spaces to prospective tenants. The firm is also responsible for regularly reporting on the property’s financial position.&nbsp;

As the property’s custodian, Trident Pacific has the authority to manage, reposition and potentially sell the property. Soon after its appointment, Trident Pacific enlisted real estate firm JLL as its property manager to market vacant spaces to prospective tenants. The firm is also responsible for regularly reporting on the property’s financial position.&nbsp;

The receiver reported that last October, it collected around $740,000 in rent from existing tenants against more than $1.9 million in expenses for the property, a not particularly attractive equation. For their store, the Politrons said they’ve been granted a temporary pause in rent as they negotiate a new lease agreement; the Waqars said they have kept paying their rent throughout the management transition.&nbsp;

The receiver reported that last October, it collected around $740,000 in rent from existing tenants against more than $1.9 million in expenses for the property, a not particularly attractive equation. For their store, the Politrons said they’ve been granted a temporary pause in rent as they negotiate a new lease agreement; the Waqars said they have kept paying their rent throughout the management transition.&nbsp;

The new landlord has also invested in placing additional security guards on every floor, several workers told The Standard across multiple visits to the mall last week. That has helped business owners and employees feel more at ease coming to work.

The new landlord has also invested in placing additional security guards on every floor, several workers told The Standard across multiple visits to the mall last week. That has helped business owners and employees feel more at ease coming to work.

A private security guard stands in front of a store inside the San Francisco Centre Mall, formerly Westfield Mall, on Market Street on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined6_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=1844" alt="security guard stands in front of store" class="wp-image-242087"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A private security guard stands in front of a store inside the San Francisco Centre. Several employees said Trident Pacific has beefed up security since taking over as the property&#8217;s custodian in October.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined6_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=1844" alt="security guard stands in front of store" class="wp-image-242087"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A private security guard stands in front of a store inside the San Francisco Centre. Several employees said Trident Pacific has beefed up security since taking over as the property's custodian in October.</figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined6_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=1844" alt="security guard stands in front of store" class="wp-image-242087"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A private security guard stands in front of a store inside the San Francisco Centre. Several employees said Trident Pacific has beefed up security since taking over as the property&#8217;s custodian in October.</figcaption></figure>

“It used to take security 10-15 minutes to respond to calls,” Brian Politron said. “Now, it’s down to one or two.”&nbsp;

“It used to take security 10-15 minutes to respond to calls,” Brian Politron said. “Now, it’s down to one or two.”&nbsp;

A spokesperson for Trident Pacific and JLL declined to comment on this story.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for Trident Pacific and JLL declined to comment on this story.&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tipping-point">A Tipping Point</h2>

While it’s a bitter pill to swallow at the moment, both the Politrons and Waqars say they do not regret opening their businesses inside what appears to be a dying mall. In separate conversations, they said they believe the location and history of the shopping center still has many positives going for it.&nbsp;

While it’s a bitter pill to swallow at the moment, both the Politrons and Waqars say they do not regret opening their businesses inside what appears to be a dying mall. In separate conversations, they said they believe the location and history of the shopping center still has many positives going for it.&nbsp;

For example, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/27/luxury-retail-thrives-in-downtown-san-francisco/">luxury sector in nearby Union Square is still thriving</a> despite soaring retail vacancies. Nearby, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/22/san-francisco-new-ikea-plant-lovers-paradise-downtown-market-street/">a new Ikea store arrived</a> on Market Street in August to much fanfare.&nbsp;

Despite soaring retail vacancies, luxury thrives in downtown San Francisco

San Francisco&#8217;s new Ikea is a plant-lover&#8217;s paradise

For example, the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/27/luxury-retail-thrives-in-downtown-san-francisco/">luxury sector in nearby Union Square is still thriving</a> despite soaring retail vacancies. Nearby, <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/22/san-francisco-new-ikea-plant-lovers-paradise-downtown-market-street/">a new Ikea store arrived</a> on Market Street in August to much fanfare.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the city’s population has also started to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/19/san-francisco-population-growth-pandemic-demographics/">rebound</a> after losing some 30,000 people between 2020 and 2021. The rapid decline of San Francisco Centre, on the other hand, is a cautionary tale about how quickly things can unravel when a property owner puts all of their eggs into one basket, as Westfield did with chain fashion retailers, according to Berne, the retail expert.&nbsp;

San Francisco&#8217;s population is rising again; city among fastest growing in state

Meanwhile, the city’s population has also started to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/19/san-francisco-population-growth-pandemic-demographics/">rebound</a> after losing some 30,000 people between 2020 and 2021. The rapid decline of San Francisco Centre, on the other hand, is a cautionary tale about how quickly things can unravel when a property owner puts all of their eggs into one basket, as Westfield did with chain fashion retailers, according to Berne, the retail expert.&nbsp;

“Shopping centers like that are built on critical mass,” Berne said. “People go there for options, so once those start to shrink, there can be an exponential decline.”&nbsp;

“Shopping centers like that are built on critical mass,” Berne said. “People go there for options, so once those start to shrink, there can be an exponential decline.”&nbsp;

The citywide retail vacancy rate currently hovers around 6.5%, according to real estate firm Avison Young, more than double the rate in the fourth quarter of 2019. For Union Square, that figure is significantly higher at 18.3%.&nbsp;

The citywide retail vacancy rate currently hovers around 6.5%, according to real estate firm Avison Young, more than double the rate in the fourth quarter of 2019. For Union Square, that figure is significantly higher at 18.3%.&nbsp;

People make their way down an escalator at the San Francisco Centre Mall, formerly Westfield Mall, on Market Street on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined7_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="people ride escalator in a mall" class="wp-image-242088"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Despite rumors that the mall is shuttering, several existing business owners and employees are holding out hope for a turnaround. Retail experts say a change in the mall&#8217;s ownership needs to take place before that can happen. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined7_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="people ride escalator in a mall" class="wp-image-242088"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Despite rumors that the mall is shuttering, several existing business owners and employees are holding out hope for a turnaround. Retail experts say a change in the mall's ownership needs to take place before that can happen. </figcaption></figure>

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined7_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="people ride escalator in a mall" class="wp-image-242088"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Despite rumors that the mall is shuttering, several existing business owners and employees are holding out hope for a turnaround. Retail experts say a change in the mall&#8217;s ownership needs to take place before that can happen. </figcaption></figure>

There is no exact science on where that tipping point is, but the mall appears to be headed toward it—if it’s not already past the point of no return.

There is no exact science on where that tipping point is, but the mall appears to be headed toward it—if it’s not already past the point of no return.

A recent <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2024/01/22/mall-westfield-sf-cmbs-retail-closing-2024.html">San Francisco Business Times analysis</a> of a report on the mall’s commercial mortgage-backed security loans showed more than half of still-leased space is set to expire by June. Another 11% is set to expire by 2025, and about 25% is leased beyond 2027. The mall’s other anchor tenant, Bloomingdale’s, has a lease that runs until 2046, which makes up the vast majority of that portion of long-term leases.&nbsp;

A recent <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2024/01/22/mall-westfield-sf-cmbs-retail-closing-2024.html">San Francisco Business Times analysis</a> of a report on the mall’s commercial mortgage-backed security loans showed more than half of still-leased space is set to expire by June. Another 11% is set to expire by 2025, and about 25% is leased beyond 2027. The mall’s other anchor tenant, Bloomingdale’s, has a lease that runs until 2046, which makes up the vast majority of that portion of long-term leases.&nbsp;

According to the most recent data from commercial mortgage analytics firm Trepp, the mall&#8217;s appraised value dropped nearly $1 billion since 2016, from $1.22 billion down to $290 million, as a result of recent events.&nbsp;

According to the most recent data from commercial mortgage analytics firm Trepp, the mall's appraised value dropped nearly $1 billion since 2016, from $1.22 billion down to $290 million, as a result of recent events.&nbsp;

According to the most recent data from commercial mortgage analytics firm Trepp, the mall&#8217;s appraised value dropped nearly $1 billion since 2016, from $1.22 billion down to $290 million, as a result of recent events.&nbsp;

If it’s not going to be populated with name brands for the foreseeable future, then the only path forward for the mall will be that of transformation, which can only occur once a change in ownership takes place, Berne said. Only then will the economics change to the point where the rents could lower and a new pool of tenants could surface.&nbsp;

If it’s not going to be populated with name brands for the foreseeable future, then the only path forward for the mall will be that of transformation, which can only occur once a change in ownership takes place, Berne said. Only then will the economics change to the point where the rents could lower and a new pool of tenants could surface.&nbsp;

Because of this, the San Francisco Centre mall is likely undergoing its own version of a market reset akin to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/22/downtown-san-francisco-commecial-real-estate-new-era-2024/">the commercial real estate</a> glut that is impacting the entirety of Downtown San Francisco.&nbsp;

The next era of San Francisco commercial real estate will begin in 2024

Because of this, the San Francisco Centre mall is likely undergoing its own version of a market reset akin to <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/12/22/downtown-san-francisco-commecial-real-estate-new-era-2024/">the commercial real estate</a> glut that is impacting the entirety of Downtown San Francisco.&nbsp;

“The thing about that mall is, as great as it was, it’s been in the same format for four decades,” said Cameron Baird, a longtime retail broker at Avison Young. “The costs of operating it were so high that it probably priced a lot of the emerging tenants out.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The thing about that mall is, as great as it was, it’s been in the same format for four decades,” said Cameron Baird, a longtime retail broker at Avison Young. “The costs of operating it were so high that it probably priced a lot of the emerging tenants out.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Once a new owner purchases the mall at a steep discount, they won’t be under the same financial pressures that Westfield was under, Baird explained. So similar to the office market, new players will be able to enter the market once a reset gets underway.

Once a new owner purchases the mall at a steep discount, they won’t be under the same financial pressures that Westfield was under, Baird explained. So similar to the office market, new players will be able to enter the market once a reset gets underway.

A person walks by shuttered storefronts, including Otaku House, near the food court area inside the San Francisco Centre mall, formerly Westfield mall, on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. After dozens of closures to various businesses within Westfield Mall, including Nordstrom’s, the remaining businesses and their workers continue to serve customers and clients although the future of the mall and its businesses are in question.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/inlined8_20240119-sfcentremall.jpg?w=2500" alt="man walks beside a shuttered storefront" class="wp-image-242089"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A person walks by shuttered storefronts, including Otaku House, near the food court area inside the San Francisco Centre.</figcaption></figure>

“It’s not going to be a short turnaround,” Baird said. “The next owner will have to believe in the long term.”&nbsp;

“It’s not going to be a short turnaround,” Baird said. “The next owner will have to believe in the long term.”&nbsp;

One useful analog, which could provide a path forward for the property, can be found in Los Angeles. Earlier this month, the University of California <a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-to-transform-empty-mall-into-research-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">purchased the long-shuttered Westside Pavilion mall</a> for $700 million. Coincidentally, the mall saw its decline accelerated by the departure of its Nordstrom store anchor in 2017.

One useful analog, which could provide a path forward for the property, can be found in Los Angeles. Earlier this month, the University of California <a href="https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-to-transform-empty-mall-into-research-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">purchased the long-shuttered Westside Pavilion mall</a> for $700 million. Coincidentally, the mall saw its decline accelerated by the departure of its Nordstrom store anchor in 2017.

UCLA plans to transform the site into a biomedical research center focused on cutting-edge technologies like immunology, immunotherapy and quantum computing.&nbsp;

UCLA plans to transform the site into a biomedical research center focused on cutting-edge technologies like immunology, immunotherapy and quantum computing.&nbsp;

For her part, San Francisco Mayor London Breed has pitched multiple suggestions on how to replace the Downtown mall, with ideas ranging from a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/downtown-san-francisco-soccer-stadium-plans-for-former-westfield-mall-revealed/">soccer stadium</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/13/san-francisco-mayors-answer-to-downtown-malls-woes-lab-space/">lab spaces</a> to a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/18/san-francisco-mayor-asks-university-of-california-to-explore-downtown-campus/">college campus</a>.&nbsp;

San Francisco mayor’s answer to downtown mall’s woes: Lab space

San Francisco mayor asks University of California to explore downtown campus

For her part, San Francisco Mayor London Breed has pitched multiple suggestions on how to replace the Downtown mall, with ideas ranging from a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/08/23/downtown-san-francisco-soccer-stadium-plans-for-former-westfield-mall-revealed/">soccer stadium</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/13/san-francisco-mayors-answer-to-downtown-malls-woes-lab-space/">lab spaces</a> to a <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/18/san-francisco-mayor-asks-university-of-california-to-explore-downtown-campus/">college campus</a>.&nbsp;

Whatever that future ends up being, existing tenants at the mall say it can’t come soon enough.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Whatever that future ends up being, existing tenants at the mall say it can’t come soon enough.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For the Politrons, the fate of their flagship store is on the line. The couple moved from Santa Cruz to San Francisco solely because they saw the city as a gateway to a global customer base.&nbsp;

For the Politrons, the fate of their flagship store is on the line. The couple moved from Santa Cruz to San Francisco solely because they saw the city as a gateway to a global customer base.&nbsp;

“We want to be here,” Brian Politron said. “We just wish [the new mall owners] want us the same.”&nbsp;

“We want to be here,” Brian Politron said. “We just wish [the new mall owners] want us the same.”&nbsp;

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