A new wave of closures hits San Francisco’s largest mall, spotlighting the city’s ongoing retail exodus.
Story Snapshot
- Shake Shack to close its location in Westfield San Francisco Centre.
- All tenants are required to vacate due to new ownership.
- The mall has lost 46% of its stores since 2020.
- Tenants face lease cancellation following the foreclosure auction.
Shake Shack Exits Amid New Ownership
Shake Shack will permanently close its shop in the Westfield San Francisco Centre on December 14, 2025, impacting 26 employees.
This decision follows a change in ownership of the beleaguered property, which has struggled with high vacancy rates and the departure of major retailers. The new owner, DBJPM 2016-SFC Emporium, has issued a mandate for all current tenants to vacate the premises.
Another restaurant in beleaguered San Francisco mall closing https://t.co/2HH8VeuLLq
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) December 8, 2025
Impact of Retail Departures on Mall Viability
Since 2020, Westfield San Francisco Centre has seen a 46% reduction in its retail stores, including the closure of anchor tenants like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s. These anchor stores are crucial for driving foot traffic, and their absence significantly undermines the mall’s viability.
The lack of anchor stores severely impacts smaller retailers, who rely on the increased customer traffic these larger stores bring.
In recent months, the mall has also lost several dining establishments, including Jamba Juice and Mija Cochinita taco shop, further reducing its appeal to shoppers.
Foreclosure Auction and Lease Terminations
The change in ownership occurred after a foreclosure auction on November 12, 2025. The auction transferred control from the former operators, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Brookfield Properties, to DBJPM 2016-SFC Emporium.
As a result of the ownership change, all existing leases were declared “extinguished,” forcing tenants to relocate. The previous owners defaulted on their loan obligations, effectively abandoning the site in 2023.
This ongoing trend of closures reflects broader issues within San Francisco’s retail environment, exacerbated by past fiscal policies and urban management challenges.
