BIGMallrat | Retail history of Northern California

Hilltop Mall opened in September 1976 in Richmond, California. It was another major Bay Area project by architect Avner Naggar, who also designed Eastridge Mall in San Jose (1971) and Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton (1980). Built by the Taubman Company, Hilltop's signature architectural flourishes echoed trends seen across the company’s national portfolio: bold color choices, sculptural elements, and walkable, multi-level interiors. Signature style: circular walkways & red carpet One of Hilltop’s most iconic features was its dramatic circular ramp connecting the mall’s two main levels. Unlike many 1970s malls that relied on earth tones and natural materials, Hilltop Mall embraced bold reds, blacks, whites, and blues. The result was a distinctly modern interior that stood out among Bay Area shopping centers. Atop the spiral ramp was a geometric metal sculpture. The sculpture bore a strong resemblance to works by Charles O. Perry, whose large-scale geometric sculptures appeared i...

Before it became Eastmont Town Center, it was known as Eastmont Mall—a major community hub in East Oakland. Developed on the site of a former Chevrolet assembly plant at 73rd Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, Eastmont evolved over the years from a simple neighborhood shopping center to a full-fledged, multi-level mall. From strip center to enclosed mall: 1966–1970 The development of Eastmont Mall occurred in three phases between 1966 and 1970, led by Irvin J. Kahn and designed by the Los Angeles-based architectural firm Burke, Kober, Nicholais, and Archuleta. May 18, 1966– The first phase opened as a convenience center, including stores like Safeway, in a typical strip mall layout. 1968 – A secondary wing was added, extending perpendicularly from the original strip, and began resembling more of a traditional mall. November 18, 1970– A two-story enclosed mall officially opened, bringing the total space to 650,000 sq. ft. across two levels. That mall was built to accommodate a s...