Bay Meadows

What do you get when you combine the latest in retail entertainment, a dedicated local family business, cutting edge sustainability measures and a popular community institution? You get a unanimous vote from San Mateo City Council to approve the major revamp of Hillsdale Shopping Center.

Have you heard?

One of the few family-owned shopping malls in the country – Hillsdale has just received the thumbs up to revitalize an aging portion of its San Mateo property with a contemporary bowling alley, luxury cinema, a bocce court, restaurants, boutique shops and more. The Bohannon Company is going to create a walkable environment centered around a large landscaped plaza.

Hillsdale has always been a welcoming shopping destination boasting the likes of an Apple Store and a Paul Martin’s grill. Bohannon just announced plans for a May 1 groundbreaking on a 290,000-square-foot redevelopment project, which will demolish the Sears store on 31st Avenue and El Camino Real and create a new outdoor plaza surrounded by new shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.

The “North Block” of the Shopping Center, which is on the corner of El Camino Real and 31st Avenue is not too far from the Bay Meadows community. With a new food court targeted to open in 2017 and total project completion by 2018, residents will have even more entertainment, dining and shopping options at the transformed, 60-year old Center.

Bohannon Marketing Director Christine Kupczak sat down with us and ticked off the many exciting details, starting with the already-signed luxury cinema operator, Cinepolis.

“It’s really a cinema experience for today and Cinepolis does it so well,” Christine noted. The world-class cinema exhibitor offers guests an upscale, family-oriented environment in an intimate, comfortable and friendly atmosphere.

Some things to look forward to in the Cinepolis experience?

• wait service
• reserved seating
• a complete gourmet menu with full bar
• enhanced viewing technology

Green Case Study for Retail Projects Nationally
With construction will come new sustainability features, including:

• using recycled water for irrigation
• maintaining 200 kilowatts worth of solar panels
• installing a building automation system to promote efficiencies, and more.

These features are designed to qualify the project for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification.

Michael Heacock, Bohannon’s sustainability consultant, was quoted by the San Mateo Daily Journal as saying, “I think the take away is this is a green building project that the city can be proud of and it’s a case study for retail projects across the country.”

Other Community Benefits
In addition to bringing the Hillsdale experience into the 21st century for residents and visitors, the Center’s renovation will also bring benefits for local infrastructure. Bohannon will be widening the sidewalks on El Camino between 30th and 31st Avenues, installing new light fixtures and creating landscaping.

New construction, luxury apartment living is now available in San Mateo. Located within commuting distance to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, with easy access to downtown San Mateo and Redwood City via Caltrain, Field House at Bay Meadows is the perfect place to live and play. Fantastic amenities include a fitness center, pool, club room with chef’s kitchen, barbeques, and an outdoor fireplace. And coming soon – more apartments for rent in San Mateo, in Bay Meadows’ mixed-use buildings, Quimby and The Russell, now under construction. Learn more about leasing a flat or townhome here.