The Result

With its evocatively elegant design, attention to detail and premier urban location, the Westfield San Francisco Centre is poised to have an incredible impact on the local community.

 “The venue will answer the call for commerce, couture, community, cuisine and culture,” said James Ratner. “The synergy of the new retail, entertainment and office venues at Westfield San Francisco Centre will contribute to the creation of a larger and more dynamic retail, entertainment and cultural district.”

The Westfield San Francisco Centre will be a boon for the local economy, generating 3,350 permanent jobs, $17.5 million for the city’s general and public service funds, $43.3 million for affordable housing, $1.5 million in parking enhancements, $1.25 million for public transportation improvements, $485,000 for local community groups and millions more in support and economic development. Officials expect 25 million people a year to visit Westfield San Francisco Centre.

“We expect the Centre to drive economic growth for the area. Area rents are going up and supply is going down. We are having a terrific effect on the local economy,” Jones said. 

From the former Emporium’s restored cast-iron doors to the sleek, all-glass façade of Bloomingdale’s and all the granite, plaster and steel in between, Westfield San Francisco Centre stands as both a renaissance of the old and birth of the new. Like its predecessor, it is an instant landmark of architecture and community – a gathering place like no other.

"There's no place that has the phenomenal historical associations and elements this place has," said James Ratner. "You almost never get a chance in life to take on an old building and bring it back to life like this."

For Jones, the completion of the Centre was a remarkable feat of collaboration and cooperation from a tremendous amount of Forest City associates. “It’s the most complex and challenging project I’ve undertaken in my career, but we’ve worked together in the best way possible and turned it into to a spectacular project,” he said.

Chuck Ratner, president and CEO of Forest City, agreed. “Over time, San Francisco Centre will become known as one of the world's premier shopping and entertainment destinations," he said.

And that’s no hype.