What Happened to Stonestown Galleria?

Stonestown Galleria, initially known as Stonestown Shopping Center, first opened its doors on July 16, 1952, as San Francisco's pioneering modern open-air retail complex. Developed by the Stoneson brothers, it was designed to serve the burgeoning suburban population, featuring anchor stores like The Emporium, along with a variety of local businesses and even apartments. Its initial design, attributed to architect Angus McSweeney, prioritized automobile access with a linear strip format and extensive surface parking.

By the mid-1980s, retail trends shifted, and the open-air format became outdated. In 1987, Stonestown underwent a major redevelopment spearheaded by architect John Field, transforming it into the enclosed, two-story Stonestown Galleria. This renovation added a second level of stores, a food court, glass ceilings, and marble floors, significantly modernizing its appeal. The remodeled mall reopened on October 28, 1987, and welcomed new anchor tenants such as Nordstrom in April 1988, which took over the former Bullock's space.

The early 21st century brought new challenges to traditional retail. Macy's, which had converted from The Emporium in 1996, announced its closure in November 2017, followed by Nordstrom's departure in September 2019. These closures prompted mall owner Brookfield Properties (which acquired General Growth Properties in 2018) to pivot towards a more experiential retail model. The former Macy's space was redeveloped to house a Whole Foods Market, Sports Basement, and Regal Cinemas, which opened in early 2022. Furthermore, Target expanded its presence significantly into a portion of the former Nordstrom space, and Japanese arcade and entertainment company Round1 opened in November 2024, taking over another large section of the former Nordstrom footprint.

Looking to the future, Brookfield Properties announced its ambitious 'Stonestown Reimagined' vision in 2021, aiming to transform the mall into a comprehensive 'town center'. This vision gained significant momentum in 2024 when the San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously approved the Stonestown Development Project in May, followed by unanimous approval from the Board of Supervisors in July. This multi-phased master plan will convert 27-30 acres of surface parking lots into a predominantly residential neighborhood, adding up to 3,500 new housing units, including 20% affordable housing and a 200-unit senior village. The project also includes six acres of new parks, plazas, a town square, a childcare center, a senior center, and an additional 150,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space along a new 20th Avenue 'main street'.

As of March 25, 2026, Stonestown Galleria continues to operate as a vibrant retail and entertainment hub, with new stores like DSW, Jins, and H&M having opened in late 2025, many relocating from downtown San Francisco. The residential redevelopment is in its initial phases, with infrastructure planning and project design expected to take two to three years before groundbreaking, and construction unfolding gradually over two decades, during which the mall will remain open. On the current date, March 25, 2026, police activity was reported near Stonestown Galleria, indicating ongoing daily events in the area.