Horton Plaza Mall facts for kids
Westfield Horton Plaza (as it was then called) in 2008.
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| Location | San Diego, California, United States |
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| Address | 324 Horton Plaza |
| Opening date | August 9, 1985 |
| Closing date | May 2020 |
| Developer | The Hahn Company |
| Owner | Stockdale Capital Partners |
| No. of stores and services | 0 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 0 |
| Total retail floor area | 758,003 sq ft (70,420.8 m2) |
| No. of floors | 5 |
| Parking | 2,189 |
| Public transit access | Civic Center station |
Horton Plaza was a unique five-level outdoor shopping mall in downtown San Diego. It was famous for its bright colors, interesting architecture, and unusual layout. The mall covered 6.5 city blocks next to the historic Gaslamp Quarter.
When it opened in 1985, Horton Plaza was the first successful downtown shopping center in many years. In August 2018, the property was sold to Stockdale Capital Partners. They planned to change it into an office and retail complex. Major stores like Nordstrom and Macy's closed, and the mall began to be taken down in May 2020.
Contents
History of Horton Plaza
Early Ideas and Construction
In 1972, there was a plan to build a shopping center and improve the area around Horton Plaza. This plaza is named after Alonzo Horton, who helped establish downtown San Diego. Because of many challenges and groups wanting to protect historic buildings, construction didn't start until 1982.
Opening and Unique Design
Horton Plaza cost $140 million and was the main part of a downtown improvement project by The Hahn Company. It was the first example of architect Jon Jerde's "experience architecture." When it opened in August 1985, it was very different from typical mall designs.
The mall's design had mismatched levels, long ramps, sudden drop-offs, dramatic walls, shadowy walkways, dead-end paths, and brightly painted buildings. These features were all built around a central courtyard. Jerde's design was inspired by an essay about the fun of getting "safely lost" in cities like Paris or New York.
Horton Plaza quickly became a financial success. Some people believed it helped bring new life to downtown San Diego.
Changes Over the Years
When it first opened, the mall included the historic Jessop's Clock, which was built in 1907. This clock used to stand outside the Jessop and Sons jewelry store in Downtown San Diego.
Over the years, many stores opened and closed. In 1994, Sam Goody and Planet Hollywood announced they would open stores. In 1995, United Artists Theatres planned to expand its movie screens. In 1997, FAO Schwarz opened on the fifth floor.
In 1998, the mall was sold to the Westfield Group and renamed Westfield Horton Plaza. Later, in 2018, Westfield Corporation was bought by Unibail-Rodamco.
Mall Transformations and Closure
Planet Hollywood closed in 2001, and FAO Schwarz closed in 2003. Other stores like Mervyn's also closed.
In 2011, the San Diego City Council approved a plan to remove a former department store building. This made way for a new urban park, which expanded the nearby Horton Plaza Park. Westfield worked with the city to create this new public space. The new Horton Plaza Park officially opened on May 4, 2016.
In 2012, FYE closed its Sam Goody store. Also, the Regal cinemas at the mall reduced their number of screens. The Jessop's Clock was almost moved in 2012, but it stayed at the mall for several more years.
In 2013, armed police came to the mall after a tip that a wanted person was seen there. One man was arrested, but it turned out to be a mistake. In June 2016, Nordstrom announced it would close. In July 2017, a serious incident occurred at the mall.
The Campus at Horton
In August 2018, the mall was sold to Stockdale Capital Partners. They planned to turn it into The Campus at Horton, an office and retail complex. Their idea was to create an "innovation hub" for technology and biotechnology companies. Some retail, food, and entertainment options would remain.
Many parts of the mall closed down. The Regal cinemas closed in February 2019. In April 2019, Jessop's Clock was taken apart and put into storage while a new home was found for it. By summer 2019, most stores were closed, with only Macy's and a gym remaining.
In January 2020, Stockdale Capital Partners reached an agreement with Macy's to close their store. Macy's closed in April 2020. Starting in May 2020, Horton Plaza was fenced off and began to be taken down. The plan is to rebuild it mainly as office space for a new tech center called "The Campus At Horton." This project is expected to be finished in 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Westfield Horton Plaza para niños
