Major Make-Over Is Planned for Fallbrook Mall

Fallbrook Mall is being targeted for a major renovation, which could include the addition of several new big-box retailers and an open-air setting designed to appeal to families with children.

Mall owner General Growth Properties has hired noted retail redeveloper James Rosenfield to help design a make-over for the mall. Fallbrook was built in the 1960s as an open-air center, but was enclosed in the late 1980s.

Both Rosenfield and officials with Chicago-based General Growth were guarded in their remarks, saying no deals have been completed.

“But I can tell you that we’ve come up with a plan that would involve creating additional space--quite a number of additional big-box spaces--to accommodate tenants such as Price-Costco, possibly a new stadium-seating theater, a home-improvement store, an office supply store and soft-goods retailers such as T.J. Maxx or Marshalls,” Rosenfield said Tuesday.

Rosenfield said he also is in talks with other major big-box retailers, with the hope of turning the West Hills mall into a major big-box center. Existing discounters Kmart and Target would remain, as would the other anchor stores.

“All of these things are part of our plan and we’re now working to see if that plan can become a reality,” said Rosenfield, president of J.S. Rosenfield & Co. of Santa Monica.

Officials with Washington-based Costco and Massachusetts-based TJX Cos., which operates T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, could not be reached for comment.

One of the most notable aspects of the redevelopment, which Rosenfield said would cost “in the tens of millions of dollars” to complete, would have a portion of the mall return to its alfresco roots, a trend in retailing in warm-weather communities.

Under the proposed plan, developers would create a new outdoor community center dubbed the Fallbrook Country Mart.

“That area would be a very innovative retail environment that could possibly include a children’s play area, eateries and high quality smaller shops,” said Rosenfield, who said an official announcement on the project could come in a few months.

“It would be a great community gathering place.”

General Growth, which last year took over ownership of the Northridge Fashion Center, would keep much of Fallbrook open during reconstruction.

With more than 1 million feet of retail space on 89 acres, Fallbrook Mall, situated at Fallbrook Avenue and Victory Boulevard, is one of the largest of the 120 shopping centers run by General Growth.

“And it’s one of our priorities for redevelopment,” said Maggie Horn, regional vice president of marketing for General Growth.

“The property offers a tremendous opportunity and we’re looking at various options to enhance the opportunity of the property,” she said.

“We have some big plans and we do hope they come to fruition.”

Existing tenants may be relocated in the mall, but Rosenfield said it was premature to discuss any moves.

He said the proposed Costco could go in an area now devoted to parking.

The Fallbrook Costco would most likely replace an existing store in the San Fernando Valley, according to sources close to the project.

The intersection of Fallbrook Avenue and Victory Boulevard already is a retailing center, with Orchard Supply Hardware, Pep Boys and Sears Home Life Outlet stores, and Rosenfield said it could become even more of a regional draw with new big-box stores.

“This is an incredibly exciting project, and we want to do it well,” he said.