Did you know Fashion Valley Mall wasn’t always the upscale shopping destination we know today? Fashion Valley Mall opened in 1969. It was a $50 million project. It aimed to be San Diego’s leading shopping center. The grand opening was on October 12th following a soft launch in September. The original anchors were J W Robinson’s Buffum’s and The Broadway. These department stores attracted shoppers from all over. They helped establish Fashion Valley Mall as a major retail hub.
The mall’s Spanish architectural theme was striking. A 50-foot tower by sculptor Jerry Mahoney added to the visual appeal. The original design included 1 million square feet of space and parking for 6000 cars. The mall quickly expanded. In the 1970s J C Penney and a Joseph Magnin store joined the lineup. A Woolworth also opened its doors. This increased the mall’s popularity.
The 1980s saw another major upgrade. Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus became anchors. This solidified Fashion Valley’s position as a high-end shopping destination. The Joseph Magnin chain unfortunately closed in 1984. The 1990s brought more changes. Buffum’s closed but was replaced by I Magnin. I Magnin later closed and Saks Fifth Avenue took its place in 1995. Robinson’s became Robinsons-May. The Broadway was rebranded as Macy’s.
A massive $110 million renovation in 1997 expanded the mall significantly. It added more parking and increased the retail space to 1720533 square feet. It also housed 200 stores. The year 2006 brought another major shift. Robinsons-May closed. San Diego’s first Bloomingdale’s opened in its place. Fashion Valley has always had a strong Mexican customer base. This has been a significant part of the mall’s success. In 1977 10% of transactions were with Mexican nationals.
More recently in 2010 Forever 21 opened next to Saks Fifth Avenue. Another renovation was announced in 2019. This aimed to enhance the mall’s outdoor spaces and add more dining options. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed this project. As of Winter 2023 it was still not yet complete. In 2024 a major announcement was made. The JCPenney location will be replaced by luxury apartments. JCPenney will close in Fall 2025. This marks another turning point in the mall’s history. Fashion Valley Mall continues to adapt and evolve. It remains a vital part of San Diego’s retail landscape. It serves as a testament to its enduring appeal.