Funny how Blackhawk Plaza always slips my mind—despite being one of the most stunning shopping centers in the East Bay. With its koi ponds, waterfalls, and polished stone walkways, it looks like something plucked from a luxury resort. But looks can be deceiving.
Built in 1989 on a literal hill in Danville, Blackhawk Plaza has always faced a foundational problem: it’s beautiful, but it’s out of the way. Developers ignored the conventional wisdom—don’t build on a hill—and chose a site that’s not visible from major roads and far from the freeway. The result? A retail experience that’s been picturesque and peaceful… and eerily empty.
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| A sweeping view of Blackhawk Plaza's signature waterfall from the upper level — beauty on a hill, but not without its challenges. |
A history of grand visions and quieter realities
The mall launched with ambitious plans: gold-plated shopping carts equipped with mobile phones at the original FJ’s Blackhawk Market, luxury stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, and even dreams of landing a Bonwit Teller. But one by one, these anchors faded. FJ’s couldn’t compete with the Safeway across the street. Saks closed within a year. Gottschalks came and went. The mall cycled through big ideas, but few took root.
Part of the issue has always been geography. Despite the wealth of Blackhawk and Danville residents, people want convenience—and Blackhawk Plaza is tucked away, elevated, and not walkable from anywhere but gated neighborhoods.
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| Blackhawk Plaza in 2006, with its koi-filled stream and polished stone walkways — quiet, peaceful, and almost always deserted. |
Trying again—upscale grocery, take two
In 2006, the plaza made headlines by signing a lease with Draeger's Market, the Bay Area’s gourmet grocery with a reputation for quality and cooking classes. It’s not the first time Blackhawk Plaza has gone upscale grocery—remember those gold carts?—but Draeger’s might stand a better chance with its added amenities and regional draw.
Still, some locals remain unconvinced. After all, Safeway is still across the street, and many Danville residents head to downtown Walnut Creek for serious shopping. As history has shown, upscale retail can’t survive on ambiance alone.
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| The 2011 directory at Blackhawk Plaza reveals a mix of boutiques, vacant units, and short-lived tenants — a snapshot of a mall still searching for its identity. |
The things that actually work
Yet, amid all the retail turnover, a few gems have endured:
The Blackhawk Grille remains a consistently excellent restaurant with a beautiful setting and reliably good food—worth the drive even when the mall is otherwise empty. Bring a date, book a waterside table.
The Blackhawk Museum, founded by developer Ken Behring, is a standout. Yes, it’s known for its incredible classic car collection, but even non-car people find themselves impressed. The museum’s five galleries cover everything from African art to American history, and it’s truly world-class.
And don’t overlook the Blackhawk Gallery, a quiet gem featuring works from local artists. Many pieces celebrate the nearby Mount Diablo, capturing the mountain’s moody light and sweeping grandeur in paint and photography.
A beautiful relic
In many ways, Blackhawk Plaza feels like a stage set: lush, manicured, ready for action—but waiting endlessly for the cast and crew to arrive. It has the bones of a destination and the elegance of an old-world shopping promenade. But its hilltop location, shifting identity, and lack of foot traffic have always worked against it.
Still, for those of us with mall memories rooted in lazy afternoons by the koi pond, half-filled boutiques, and wide-open courtyards, the plaza endures. Not because it’s thriving—but because it’s a beautiful failure we’ve come to love anyway.
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