FLOWER HILL PROMENADE
A Lifestyle Center for an Upscale Community
Flower Hill Mall rose in 1977 on the site of former flower fields that
were a fragrant part of North County’s rich agricultural history.
Always a friendly place with a small-town feel, the mall served the needs
of fresh neighborhoods in the burgeoning communities of Del Mar, Solana
Beach and Rancho Santa Fe.
Over the years, Flower Hill Mall became a favorite for locals who cherished
its one-of-a-kind retail stores, often owned by community members, from
the varied restaurant choices of the Pannikin Coffee and Tea, Milton’s
Deli, Paradise Grille and Taste of Thai to the high-quality retail offerings.
Retailers including Thinker Things Toys, The Book Works, Mitschke’s
Custom Framing and Papachino’s Ristorante have been a part of the
Center for the past 30 years.
Now, the shopping center will be reborn as Flower Hill Promenade, retaining
the village atmosphere that makes it unique but expanding and enhancing
it into a true multi-use neighborhood destination, a concept that makes
perfect sense in an area that has seen significant population growth since
the shopping center was first built.
“We will transform Flower Hill into a modern, upscale lifestyle
center that enhances the community and provides the kind of amenities
which residents and visitors want most,” says Jeffrey Essakow, president
of Protea Properties, which owns the 14-acre center.
“At the same time, it is our desire to retain much of the entrepreneurial,
small-shop atmosphere that has made Flower Hill so popular.”
The current plan, subject to city approvals, calls for the renovation
and addition of retail, commercial and boutique office space and the addition
of a parking structure to increase the amount of available parking spaces.
A Whole Foods market will anchor the renovation. All of this will be accomplished
on the original 14-acre site, without the need to expand the property’s
footprint. The resulting project will come in at significantly less than
the square footage allowed by municipal code.
“What we will end up with,“ Essakow concludes, “is a
showcase center that gives residents and visitors a broader range of products
and services in a setting that will make the community proud.”
Protea Properties purchased Flower Hill Promenade from the Fletcher family
in 2002 with the idea of converting it into a modern shopping destination
catering to the needs of the community. Planning since then has focused
on the mixed use concept while ensuring that environmental, traffic, view
and parking concerns are addressed.
According to Promenade Property Manager M. Rose Jabin, the community’s
retail experience at the new mall will combine the familiar local retailers
they have enjoyed with the product offerings of new stores including selected
national chains that complement existing shops.
“One of the highlights for both our shop owners and their customers
will be the significant increase in parking space,” Jabin says.
Realignment of the main entrance, including widening from four to six
lanes, and enhancement of the entrance on San Andres Drive will improve
traffic flow into and out of the shopping center.
Flower Hill Promenade renovation project anticipates a permitting process
of approximately 9 to 18 months before the start of construction in 2010.
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Renovation Update
