Once a quiet symbol of suburban prosperity, Westlake Shopping Center in Daly City has entered a new chapter—one defined by open-air promenades, national chains, and a distinct shift away from its traditional mall roots. While this redevelopment brings a fresh look and renewed energy, it also reflects the evolution of a unique mid-century retail experience.
A mid-century landmark in Daly City
Opened in 1951 as the Westlake Town and Country Center, Westlake was a cornerstone of the ambitious, master-planned Westlake community developed by Henry Doelger. Nestled among curving streets and tidy ranch homes, it stood as one of California’s earliest large-scale suburban shopping centers, built to embody the postwar ideals of convenience, modernity, and community.
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| 1950 newspaper illustration showing the proposed layout for Westlake Shopping Center. The design featured covered walkways where classical and semi-classical music played through speakers, shifting in tone to match the mood of the day. |
It wasn’t until 1956 that the center truly came into its own. A $5 million expansion, designed by architect Lloyd Gartner, brought in major national retailers like JCPenney, F. W. Woolworth, Sears (small format), and W. T. Grant, along with roughly 40 new stores housed in a new wing that ran perpendicular to the first set of buildings fronting John Daly Boulevard.
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| 1955 artist’s rendering of the planned Westlake Shopping Center expansion, featuring JCPenney and W. T. Grant at opposite ends, framed by towering palm trees. |
Architecturally, Westlake reflected the era’s forward-looking spirit—clean lines, bold signage, sprawling surface parking, and rows of palm trees that lent a touch of California flair. For decades, it served as more than just a place to shop; it was a social and cultural hub for Daly City’s growing postwar population, and a textbook example of mid-century suburban planning brought to life.
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| Original layout of Westlake Shopping Center before its early 2000s redevelopment—featuring a pedestrian-focused walkway and traditional anchor stores. |
2000s redevelopment
After JCPenney closed in 2000, the mall was showing its age. In 2002, Kimco Realty Corp acquired Westlake Shopping Center and began a full-scale redevelopment. Their aim was to modernize the site, increase walkability, and bring in a new slate of national retailers and restaurants.
The redevelopment included installing a street through the middle of the former mall, more retail space, a parking deck, improved landscaping, and a new mix of anchor tenants like Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway.
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| Post-renovation site plan of Westlake Shopping Center, with a new street-driven layout replacing the enclosed mall structure. |
A retail center in transition
In the mid-2000s, Westlake Shopping Center was in flux. The enclosed areas and pedestrian-only walkways were being reshaped—or removed entirely. The old JCPenney building had been demolished. In its place, a new Home Depot was rising, shifting the mall’s identity from department store destination to big-box convenience.
A new road was being pushed through the center, replacing the original pedestrian mall with vehicle access. The streetside-facing stores along John Daly Boulevard were thriving, focusing on their new, more visible entrances.
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| Westlake Shopping Center’s storefronts under renovation in 2005, part of Kimco Realty’s large-scale redevelopment effort. |
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| A new Trader Joe’s opens at Westlake Shopping Center in 2005, signaling a shift toward higher-end neighborhood retail after the decline of the traditional mall. |
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| Aging facades receive a modern update as part of Westlake’s transition from mall to open-air shopping center. |
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| New palm trees and landscaping bring a California-modern feel to the redeveloped areas of Westlake Shopping Center. |
From mall to lifestyle center
Westlake Shopping Center continues to occupy a central place in the city’s retail landscape.
Originally developed as a postwar suburban shopping center, it reflected mid-century planning ideals: open-air walkways, neighborhood-serving retail, and a design intended to integrate shopping into daily life rather than compete as a regional destination.
By the mid-2000s, changing retail patterns led to the major redevelopment in 2005. The center was gradually reconfigured into a more contemporary format, with updated storefronts, improved circulation, and a stronger emphasis on dining and convenience-oriented tenants.
Whether that transformation is seen as an improvement depends on perspective. The modern version prioritizes efficiency, branding, and national chains, while the original design reflected a more local, pedestrian-oriented model of community retail.
Legacy of Westlake Shopping Center
The Westlake Shopping Center remains an important part of Daly City’s identity. But like the neighborhood around it, it’s no longer what it was in 1951—or even 1991. The loss of the original pedestrian mall may feel like a blow to preservationists, but for many in the area, Westlake’s new version offers convenience and relevance in a changing retail world.
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