The new owner of a 25-year-old Hillcrest shopping center has launched a $3 million renovation project that is set to include new tenants, public art – and a new name.
The Uptown District center also represents some of the final work by Graham Downes, the noted local architect who was beaten to death last year. He began work on the Hillcrest project in late 2012.
His assailant, a co-worker, was convicted of Downes’ murder in April.
Regency Centers, which has offices in Solana Beach, bought the center in December 2012. It will be renamed the HUB/Hillcrest Market. The acronym stands for Hillcrest Uptown Block.
The Uptown District has two large supermarkets, Ralph’s and Trader Joe’s, and several small retailers and restaurants, though some spaces have been empty for months.
Regency says two new tenants, the eateries Napizza and Ritual Juicebox, are set to open.
The renovation, which began Monday, is set to be completed in the fall. Other contractors on the project include Page Winkler of MCG Architects, Don Hollis of Hollis Brand Culture for marketing, Jose Parral for landscape design, Ron Neal Lighting Design, John Hadaya of Jones Sign and Bycor Construction.
Regency has invested $3 billion in the development of 215 shopping centers, and owns or shares ownership of more than 330 retail sites.
