Richmond 2023, Hilltop landscapes
The Hilltop Mall opened in 1976 with anchor stores, Capwell’s, J.C. Penny’s, and Macy’s. Capwell’s changed their name to Emporium-Capwell in ‘79 and then The Emporium in 1990. Also in 1990, Sears was added with a new building on the north end of the mall. The Emporium was the first of the anchors to close in 1996. The store sat vacant until Macy’s downsized in 1998 moved over. Walmart would eventually move into the spot formally occupied by Macy’s but not until 2007. J.C. Penny’s would be the next to close in 2017, followed by Sears in 2020 and Macy’s in 2021. Walmart still occupies the anchor location on the south end and a 24 Hour Fitness has moved into a space next to the now-vacant Sears space on the north. The mall was officially closed in 2021 when it was purchased by the logistics company Prologis with plans to demolish the site and build a mixed use facility including retail stores and modern logistics facilities along with residential housing.
These pictures are part of an ongoing series that began in early 2022. I am creating a document of the city as it exists today in the early part of the 21st century. The last time a photographic survey of the city was completed was in the 1920’s as the city was first being developed. Once complete this collection will be offered to the Richmond Museum of History as well as the California Historical Society as as an addition to their archives of historical images of the city and state.