Junipero Serra and Colma Boulevards
Colma, California
One of America's first power center-type shopping hubs was built by a joint venture of Burlingame, California-based Terranomics Development and San Francisco-based Rawson, Blum & Leon Properties.
The head of the Terranomics company, Merritt Sher, began developing so-called "promotional centers" in 1970. These followed the basic strip shopping center format, with tenants such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Toys "R" Us and Wall Paper To Go.
As some of these specialty chains expanded from regional to national focus, and the size of their individual stores grew, a new name began to be heard..."power retailer," "category killer" or "big box store". A new type of community-class complex emerged. Instead of being anchored by large department stores or a supermarket, it would include several "power retailers" as its main draw.
One such complex was Greater San Francisco's 280 METRO CENTER. The open-air facility was designed by San Francisco's Jacques de Brer. It was situated on 6.4 acres, located 8.2 miles southwest of San Francisco's Union Square, in the West Bay suburb of Colma. Sandwiched between the Woodlawn and Greenlawn Cemeteries, the 280 METRO site contained the Junipero Serra Landfill between 1958 and 1983.
280 METRO CENTER encompassed 1 level and approximately 213,500 leasable square feet. Its major anchors were a 1-level (32,000 square foot) Marshalls and 1-level (89,000 square foot) Home Depot. The first inline stores opened for business on November 16, 1986. These included Fashion Gal, Welcome Home (linens & window coverings), Dimensions In Fashions and The Wherehouse (recoded music & video rental).
New York Fabrics welcomed first shoppers in January 1987. A Federated (home electronics) Superstore was dedicated on February 27th. An official center-wide grand opening was held on April 25th. The freestanding United Artists the MOVIES multiplex showed its first features on June 12, 1987. The grand opening of Nordstrom Rack took place on August 13th. One of the final charter tenants, Herman's World of Sporting Goods, began business on December 4 of the same year
The nearest shopping complex in the 280 METRO trade area was the fully-enclosed SERRAMONTE CENTER (1969) {.1 mile southwest, in Daly City}.
280 METRO CENTER is noteworthy for housing one of the very first Old Navy Clothing Company stores. The (13,100 square foot) unit, one of three inaugural locations, was dedicated on March 11, 1994.
The original Home Depot at 280 METRO CENTER was replaced with a 1-level (100,000 square foot) store. Built as a southern outparcel, it began business in 1995. The original building sat vacant (and still leased by the company) until it was repurposed as a Home Depot Pro store. This newly-created format, marketed specifically to contractors and other building industry professionals, was dedicated April 30, 1998.
Terranomics sold the shopping center to San Franscisco-based RREEF Asset Management in 1997. In June 2003, a joint venture of New Hyde Park, New York-based Kimco Realty and a subsidiary of New York City-based Blackstone Real Estate Partners acquired the property.
The United Artists 6-plex was shuttered on October 19, 2003. The building was knocked down and replaced by a (45,000 square foot) Best Buy, which opened for business in mid-2004. Several changes took place at 280 METRO CENTER during the twenty-tens. Office Depot set up shop in a vacant Magnolia Hi-Fi spot in August 2012. Ross Dress For Less assumed a vacated Bed Bath & Beyond space, and opened on October 8 2016.
Meanwhile, Kimco Realty bought out its joint venture colleague in September 2014. Kimco assumed total ownership and control of thirty-nine properties, including 280 METRO CENTER. Nordstrom Rack, which had maintained a 280 METRO store since 1987, relocated to SERRAMONTE CENTER in September 2017. The vacant 280 METRO space was retenanted, by Ashley Home Furniture, in November 2019.
Meanwhile, Kimco Realty bought out its joint venture colleague in September 2014. Kimco assumed total ownership and control of thirty-nine properties, including 280 METRO CENTER. Nordstrom Rack, which had maintained a 280 METRO store since 1987, relocated to SERRAMONTE CENTER in September 2017. The vacant 280 METRO space was retenanted, by Ashley Home Furniture, in November 2019.
Sources:
The San Francisco Examiner
http://www.terranomicsdevelopment.com
http://www.280metrocenter.com
http://www.gapinc.com
http://rebusinessonline.com
http://www.kimcorealty.com
http://www.cinematreasures.org
http://www.280metrocenter.com
http://www.gapinc.com
http://rebusinessonline.com
http://www.kimcorealty.com
http://www.cinematreasures.org
http://www.cinematour.com
San Mateo County property tax assessor website
San Mateo County property tax assessor website
