San Francisco’s largest mall, San Francisco Centre, is set to close its doors as part of the continued decline of the retail space downtown. The mall, formerly known as Westfield San Francisco Centre, will close by January 26, 2026. After years of tenant departures and declining foot traffic, the mall’s closure marks the end of an era for one of the city’s most prominent shopping destinations.
Over the past two years, San Francisco Centre has seen a gradual decline in business, with anchor tenants like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s leaving and smaller retailers following suit. By the end of 2025, only a few businesses remained open, including some restaurants, but many others, like Panda Express and Ecco shoes, announced their departures earlier in the year.
The Decline of San Francisco Centre
Once a bustling hub of retail downtown, San Francisco Centre was a symbol of the city’s consumer-driven economy. For many years, it was home to major department stores, an expansive food court, and a variety of shops. However, with the rise of e-commerce, changing consumer habits, and increasing vacancies in downtown areas, the mall’s foot traffic steadily dwindled.
Anchor stores, such as Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, left the mall over the past few years, further diminishing its appeal. These departures led to a domino effect, with smaller retailers and food vendors also closing their doors. The once-vibrant food court, a cornerstone of the mall, became a shadow of its former self, leaving few dining options for visitors.
The mall’s closure is a stark reminder of the struggles many large retail spaces face in urban environments, especially those that were once major attractions. It also signals the shifting priorities of urban development, with more focus shifting toward spaces that offer different uses and experiences.
BART Seals Powell Street Entrance
Adding to the sense of change, BART has sealed the Powell Street Station entrance that once connected directly to San Francisco Centre. For decades, commuters could seamlessly enter the mall via the Powell Street BART entrance. This path, a common entry point for both tourists and local commuters, is now closed, redirecting foot traffic to other exits in the station.
BART officials have stated that the decision to seal the entrance was necessary due to logistical and safety concerns, particularly as the mall has been in decline. With fewer businesses in operation, maintaining the entrance and its connection to the mall no longer made sense. The closure is symbolic of a broader shift in the city’s retail landscape, where retail giants once anchored by transit connections are now disappearing.
Commuters have expressed mixed reactions. Some lament the loss of the convenient access point, while others note that the entrance had become less useful as stores began to close. The change highlights how urban transit and retail are intertwined, shaping the daily experiences of city residents and visitors alike.
The Broader Impact on Downtown
The closure of San Francisco Centre will have a significant impact on the surrounding area, particularly for retail workers and nearby businesses. As one of the largest employers in the downtown area, the mall’s closure will lead to job losses for many retail employees. In addition, the reduction in foot traffic will likely affect local businesses that relied on the flow of shoppers coming to the mall.
Tourism may also be affected, as the mall had been a destination for visitors to San Francisco. With the mall’s closure, tourists will need to look elsewhere for shopping and dining options, which could further impact the downtown economy. While San Francisco remains a popular tourist destination, this closure reflects the broader challenges facing retail spaces in urban areas.
Community leaders have acknowledged the significance of the mall’s closing. Some suggest that the site should be repurposed for new uses, but there is no official plan in place yet. The question remains: what will take the place of the mall, and how will the city reimagine this critical part of its downtown core?
Speculation About the Future of the Site
As the mall prepares to close, speculation grows about the future of the property. The size and location of the site make it a prime candidate for redevelopment, but exactly what that redevelopment will look like remains uncertain. Potential options include office spaces, mixed-use projects, or even cultural or community-focused developments.
Given the challenges in retail, city officials and developers may look toward creating spaces that better serve the needs of the community, focusing on adaptable, multi-use buildings. Mixed-use projects could combine residential, office, and retail spaces, transforming the area into something that better reflects current urban priorities.
The transformation of the site could have a significant impact on downtown San Francisco’s future. As city leaders discuss what comes next, the closure of San Francisco Centre offers an opportunity to rethink the use of urban spaces and their role in shaping the city’s long-term development.
Shifting Retail Landscape
The closure of San Francisco Centre is part of a larger trend in the U.S. retail sector. Across the country, traditional shopping malls are facing difficulties due to the rise of online shopping, changing consumer preferences, and the increasing availability of experiences that go beyond mere shopping. In San Francisco, this shift is particularly noticeable, with once-bustling retail corridors now grappling with increasing vacancies and changing usage patterns.
Retail spaces are increasingly being reimagined as cities adapt to the changing nature of shopping and the evolving needs of residents. The closure of San Francisco Centre, combined with the sealing of the BART entrance, signals the end of a retail era for downtown San Francisco. It also reflects the broader trend of cities transitioning from traditional retail to more flexible and mixed-use urban spaces.
