San Francisco’s iconic mall closes—what will rise in its place?
The San Francisco Centre mall will shut its doors for good on Monday. The closure comes after years of falling visitor numbers and the departure of major retailers. Now, the city is debating what should replace it.
The mall’s decline began long before its final closure. Fewer shoppers and the loss of key stores left large sections empty. Without anchor tenants, foot traffic dropped sharply.
A recent poll shows divided opinions on the site’s future. Around 40% of respondents favour turning it into an entertainment venue, such as a cinema or concert space. Another 30% would prefer housing, while other ideas include a university campus or even pickleball courts.
A casino has been suggested as a potential revenue source. However, any new casino in California must go through state tribal operators, who hold exclusive rights. Approval would also be difficult, as San Francisco has strict rules on new construction. Noise and lighting concerns have led other cities to resist similar projects, like the Las Vegas Sphere.
Sphere Entertainment, which runs the Las Vegas venue, has not mentioned San Francisco as a possible location. As of April 2024, no company had announced concrete plans for the mall’s redevelopment. The site’s future remains uncertain until ownership or development decisions are made.
The mall’s closure leaves a large empty space in a prime city location. Whatever replaces it will need approval from local authorities and the public. For now, no official proposals have been put forward, leaving the site’s next chapter undecided.
