Major Transformation Planned For San Diego's Westfield Mission Valley: "The Valley" To Replace Iconic Shopping Center

The iconic Westfield Mission Valley mall, a staple of San Diego's retail landscape since the 1960s, is set for a major transformation and rebranding to become "The Valley".

Westfield Mission Valley will be reimagined as a mixed-use lifestyle district featuring retail, dining, entertainment, and residential spaces.The overhaul, spearheaded by boutique commercial real estate firm Retail Insite, aims to move away from the traditional shopping mall format. Instead, "The Valley" will become a lifestyle-oriented district with redesigned public spaces and a focus on integrating retail and residential living.

Target, Nordstrom Rack, AMC Theatres, Bloomingdale’s Outlet, Michael’s, and other key tenants will remain part of the development, ensuring that some of the mall's popular attractions continue to draw visitors. Dining favorites like Yard House, CAVA, and Outback Steakhouse are also set to stay.

The redevelopment will introduce two residential buildings with approximately 650 housing units. These buildings will be constructed on the far east and west sides of the property, currently occupied by parking lots. The addition of housing aligns with broader efforts to increase residential density in Mission Valley and create vibrant, walkable communities.
Two major tenants have reportedly signed leases to occupy the former Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy’s buildings, though their identities have not yet been disclosed. In addition to retaining existing anchors, "The Valley" will feature redesigned public areas, including a central promenade and covered parking to improve the overall visitor experience.

The project is part of a larger wave of redevelopment initiatives aimed at revitalizing the Mission Valley neighborhood. Just across the street, the ambitious "Riverwalk San Diego" project seeks to convert a nearly 200-acre golf course into a mixed-use community. This development will include 4,300 housing units, 55 acres of parks, a protected watershed around the San Diego River, and a new trolley stop to encourage sustainable transportation.
Westfield Mission Valley, formerly known as "Westfield Shoppingtown Mission Valley," has been a central hub for San Diego shoppers for decades. It was part of a $290 million deal in 2023 when Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield sold both Mission Valley shopping centers to separate buyers. The combined properties span 1.5 million square feet. The reimagined "The Valley" will occupy the eastern portion of the property at 1640 Camino del Rio North, which currently attracts nearly 10 million visitors annually.

While plans for "The Valley" are advancing, a formal timeline for construction and completion has not yet been announced. With its focus on blending retail and residential spaces, the project is expected to play a significant role in the continued evolution of Mission Valley as a live-work-play community.

Westfield Mission Valley is located at 1640 Camino Del Rio North in San Diego's Mission Valley. For more information, visit mission-valley.com.

Originally published on November 18, 2024.