"The Jerde Partnership, best known locally for its design of Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego, more recently tried to make over the ailing Chula Vista Center. The $42-million job was aided by Chula Vista redevelopment officials and included a 143,000-square-foot addition. It was completed two years ago, but there are still plans for expansion."
"In many ways, the architects have succeeded in improving the environment for retailers. Business at this 727,000-square-foot center at Broadway and H Street has increased, and architects and individual storefront designers have livened the retailing atmosphere within the project."
"But the made-over mall has its shortcomings--mainly clunky facades around the outside of the project and lost opportunities to better blend in surrounding streets."
Designing functional shopping malls presents significant challenges, particularly when renovating outdated structures. The Jerde Partnership undertook a $42-million redesign of the aging Chula Vista Center, a 1960s mall with dated department stores. The project included a 143,000-square-foot addition and successfully increased business at the 727,000-square-foot center. Architects improved the retail environment by enhancing storefronts and creating better pedestrian flow. However, the renovation has notable shortcomings, including clunky exterior facades and missed opportunities to integrate surrounding streets. Homart Development Company purchased the struggling center in 1986 and worked with city officials to close sections of 5th Avenue, extending the pedestrian promenade and connecting three major department stores across roughly a quarter-mile of retail space.
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