San Francisco Centre’s owner has initiated legal proceedings to evict the remaining tenants from the largely vacant downtown mall. According to reports from the San Francisco Business Times, DBJPM 2016-SFC Emporium, the mortgage trust that now owns the 1.2-million-square-foot shopping center on Market Street, has filed unlawful detainer complaints against three businesses: Shoe Wiz, Eyebrow Plus beauty salon, and Executive Order Bar & Lounge.
The filings request that the San Francisco Superior Court order these occupants to leave the property. The San Francisco Standard reported that Shoe Wiz is currently locked with merchandise still inside, while Eyebrow Plus remains open but plans to close by the end of January. Executive Order Bar & Grill is also open; its owner, John Eric Sanchez, told the San Francisco Chronicle in November that he hopes to remain despite significant declines in foot traffic and a monthly rent of $35,000.
In November, legal representatives for the mall’s owners notified tenants that their leases were “extinguished” and instructed them to vacate. Last week’s court complaints mark a formal start to eviction proceedings for those who did not leave voluntarily. The complaint against Eyebrow Plus stated that it was given a three-day notice on December 13 and seeks damages of $201.37 per day for each day the tenant remains after notice was served until judgment is rendered, as well as a declaration of forfeiture and recovery of lawsuit costs.
San Francisco Centre has faced increasing challenges since previous owners Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Brookfield Properties ceased payments on $625.6 million in debt tied to the property in 2023. As a result, vacancy rates have exceeded 90 percent and foot traffic dropped by more than 63 percent between 2019 and 2024. In November, DBJPM 2016-SFC Emporium acquired the mall at a foreclosure auction for $133 million after holding the original loan.
“[Executive Order Bar & Grill] hopes to stay as long as he can despite a sharp drop in foot traffic and a $35,000 in monthly rent,” John Eric Sanchez told the San Francisco Chronicle in November.
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