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 in several shopping centers of the era, including Stoneridge Mall.
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| Promotional image of Hilltop Mall in Richmond from the mid-1980s, featuring its signature circular ramp and striking red carpet—an era when shopping centers doubled as style statements and community landmarks. Image courtesy of Dean Lundstrom. |
Anchor store changes
Hilltop Mall opened in 1976 with three major department store anchors: Macy's, Capwell's, and JCPenney. Together, they established the center as a regional shopping destination serving Richmond and surrounding communities.
The anchor lineup expanded in 1991 with the addition of Sears, giving Hilltop four traditional department store anchors during its peak years. As the retail landscape changed, several of these stores were consolidated or replaced. Macy's eventually relocated into the former Capwell's building following a series of corporate mergers and department store restructurings.
By the mall's final years, declining occupancy and changing shopping habits had taken a toll on its anchor stores. Portions of the property were redeveloped, including the former Macy's site, which was replaced by Walmart.
Hilltop Mall in 2007
Fast forward to 2007, and we see some clear differences—but the soul of Hilltop Mall remained recognizable. Key changes included replacement of the red carpeting with tan flooring, and updated signage and storefront remodels.
Despite these updates, Hilltop's distinctive architecture remained intact. More than thirty years after opening, the circular ramp continued to define the mall's interior and set it apart from most Bay Area shopping centers.
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| Hilltop Mall in Richmond, 2007 — the same iconic circular ramp remains, now updated with neutral flooring replacing the bold red carpet of earlier decades, reflecting a shift toward a more modern, understated mall design. Image courtesy of Dean Lundstrom. |
The closure of Hilltop Mall
After decades as a retail and cultural landmark in Richmond, Hilltop Mall officially closed in March 2021, marking the end of an era. Years of declining foot traffic, anchor store closures, and shifting consumer habits slowly took their toll.
By the time of its shuttering, the once-bustling shopping center stood mostly vacant, a far cry from its vibrant Taubman-era heyday. The property was acquired by Prologis, which has announced plans to redevelop the site into a mixed-use logistics and residential hub.
The redevelopment marks the end of one of the Bay Area's most architecturally distinctive enclosed shopping centers and reflects the broader transformation of aging regional malls across California.
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| Hilltop Mall in Richmond, late 2018—shuttered storefronts and empty walkways reflect its slow transition into a dead mall. |
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