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NewsSFGate Bay Area NewsOctober 26, 2026San Francisco County

Alexandria Real Estate Equities proposes transforming San Bruno's Tanforan mall into a mixed-use transit village

Photo: SFGate Bay Area News

A proposal to redevelop San Bruno's Tanforan mall into a 44-acre mixed-use transit village is advancing toward upcoming planning commission and city council votes. The project would replace the former shopping center with up to 1,500 residential units—including 268 affordable homes—along with 1.8 million square feet of life sciences labs and offices, retail space, and a potential hotel. Demolition could begin as soon as the end of 2027, with construction phasing extending into the 2030s.

HousingReal Estate DevelopmentUrban PlanningTransitEnvironment
Read the full story at SFGate Bay Area News

Why It Matters

The redevelopment shifts 44 acres of underutilized commercial property into housing and office space, directly contributing to San Bruno's mandated goal of planning for 3,165 new homes by 2031 while altering local noise and air quality conditions.

Key Facts

  • Alexandria Real Estate Equities proposes transforming the 44-acre Tanforan mall site into a mixed-use transit village.
  • The project includes up to 1,500 housing units rising up to seven stories, with 268 units designated as affordable.
  • The development plans feature up to 1.8 million square feet of life sciences labs and offices.
  • A city staff report notes plans for 100,000 to 150,000 square feet of new retail space in the center of the property.
  • A Target store, a movie theater, a neighboring city police station, and the local BART station are slated to remain open.
  • The proposal includes flex zones to allow adaptation if market conditions change.
  • The San Bruno Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the project on October 26.
  • The San Bruno City Council is expected to hold a final approval vote on November 10.
  • Mall demolition could begin as early as the end of 2027.
  • The first phase of construction could start in 2028, and a second phase could begin near the end of 2030.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration raised concerns regarding introducing residential land use into an area impacted by SFO aircraft arrivals and departures.
  • The nonprofit Climate Resilient Communities noted local exposure to diesel particulate matter and recommended air quality mitigations.
  • Consulting firm ICF indicated that construction noise and air quality impacts would be significant and unavoidable.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationClimate Resilient Communities“Bay Area nonprofit noting diesel particulate matter exposure.”PersonMia Pham“San Bruno resident.”OrganizationFederal Aviation Administration“Federal agency expressing concern about noise and height near SFO.”OrganizationICF“Consulting group that prepared the environmental report.”locationSan Bruno“The Peninsula suburb where the Tanforan mall is located.”PersonPeter Gilli“San Bruno Community Development Director.”PersonMarty Medina“San Bruno City Council member.”OrganizationBay Area Council“Regional business organization commenting on housing mandates.”OrganizationSears“Former retail anchor store that closed in 2019.”PersonLouis Mirante“Representative of the Bay Area Council.”PersonRaquel Girvin“FAA Regional Administrator.”PersonHeidi Mekkelson“Senior managing director at ICF.”PersonChristian Gunter“Senior vice president at Alexandria Real Estate Equities.”OrganizationAlexandria Real Estate Equities“Proposing the redevelopment of the Tanforan mall site.”OrganizationBarnes and Noble“Former bookstore location that recently closed.”OrganizationJCPenney“Former retail anchor store that shuttered in 2025.”locationSan Francisco“Nearby city referenced for geographic proximity and Mission Bay project.”