Bayfair Center

infobox shopping mall
shopping_mall_name = Bayfair Center


caption =
location = San Leandro, California, USA
opening_date = 1957 [http://www.madisonmarquette.com/portfolio/property/property:68 Madison Marquette - Bayfair Center] ]
developer= R.H. Macy & Co., Inc.
manager = Madison Marquette
owner = Madison Marquette
number_of_stores = 88
number_of_anchors = 7
floor_area = convert|823116|sqft|m2
(GLA) [http://www.madisonmarquette.com/portfolio/property/property:68 Madison Marquette - Bayfair Center] ]
floors = 2
website = http://www.shopbayfair.com/ The Bayfair Center is a regional shopping mall located in San Leandro, California. It was formerly known as the Bay Fair Mall until 2004. It is currently anchored by Macy's, Target, Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Old Navy and Staples, along with an external Century Theatres multiplex. The Bay Fair (BART station) is located in the area north of the building.

History

One of the earliest shopping centers in the East Bay (grand opening was August 1957), this originally open-air center featured Macy's as its key anchor. Originally named "Bay Fair Shopping Center" and developed by Macy's, in later years the center was enclosed, a second floor was added, and Montgomery Ward built a store (which was only accessible from the second floor). In the 1980s, the mall expanded by adding a new wing east of Macy's.

With the decline of Montgomery Ward, the mall languished and the second story all but died with Macy's practically being the only tenant on the second floor. In spring 2001, Century Theatres built a multiplex theater outside the mall. In May 2008, a Crown Books store opened on the second floor.

In the fall of 2002, the mall was acquired by Chicago-based M & J Wilkow Ltd. Soon after Montgomery Ward closed, Target built a new convert|145000|sqft|m2|sing=on store on the former Wards site. The updated shopping center measured convert|820000|sqft|m2. Bayfair's owner planned to remodel the ailing center into an open-air power center, renamed "Bayfair/580," which would have several big-box tenants and upscale "lifestyle-oriented" stores. The plan never came to fruition, and the mall was sold to Madison Marquette in late 2003.

With the announcement of the mall sale, another remodel was announced, but far different than the previous plan. About convert|120000|sqft|m2 on the north side of the center was demolished and replaced with new anchors, including Kohl's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples and Old Navy. Much of the interior mall was remodeled and has attracted some national retailers such as Justice and Lids. In late 2005, Madison Marquette was given approval by the San Leandro City Council to subdivide the Bayfair Center property into four parcels. The owner has always intended to sell the mall after turning it around. As of 2008, the second floor has not been remodeled at this time, although a remodel of the food court has begun. Also in 2008, Bayfair has created a Kids Club for children under 12 years of age.

Other major tenants include 24 Hour Fitness, Chili's, Fresh Choice, Chevys, Starbucks and PetSmart. Tenants surrounding the mall include Ross Dress For Less, Michaels, Pier 1 Imports and Lucky. On August 22, 2007, the Albertsons became a Lucky store, along with several other Albertsons locations in Northern California. A BART station, Bay Fair, is located within walking distance.

References

External links

* [http://www.shopbayfair.com Official Website]
*Westgate Center (another shopping center in San Leandro)
*Southland Mall (a mall in Hayward)
*wikitravelpar|San Leandro