Developed by Herring Marathon Group, Villa Linda Mall opened in 1985. The mall changed hands frequently around the turn of the century. Its ownership changed from First Union in 1997 to Zamias Services, Inc. in 1999, then to General Growth Propertiesin 2001. After being purchased by Greenfield and Associates in fall 2004, the mall underwent a $10 million renovation that included a new roof. The mall celebrated its grand opening as Santa Fe Place in November 2005. Babcock & Brown purchased the mall in 2007. Trademark Property purchased the mall in 2010.
Present
The Property is currently leased and managed by Spinoso Real Estate Group. Ownership undertook significant renovations and upgrades during 2014-15.
Stores
The mall's present anchor stores are JCPenney and Dillard's. One of the original anchor stores, Bealls, closed in 1989 to make way for the northern United Artists theater, which opened in 1991. Mervyn's was also one of the original anchors, but closed in 2008 due to bankruptcy. Sports Authority took Mervyn's former location in 2013. Around that same time Shoe Pavilion also went bankrupt, leaving a large vacant location. JCPenney moved from Santa Fe's first mall, De Vargas Center, Sears moved from its Downtown location. In 2011, United Artists North, then known as the only "discount theater" in Santa Fe, closed. In 2016, Cost Plus World Market and Bed Bath & Beyond opened stores there. Sports Authority closed in 2016 due to bankruptcy. In 2017, Sears shuttered its Santa Fe location. During the same year, H&M and Forever 21 opened new-to-market locations, while Regal Cinemas Theater announced its return to the center. In 2018, renditions for the revitalization of the shopping center showed the addition of Old Navy and Pottery Barn. Old Navy originally shuttered its Santa Fe location in 2005. In 2019, arts and crafts store Hobby Lobby relocated to the center, occupying the former Sears location.
Name Changes
The mall has included a series of name changes since its grand opening. In 2005, the "Villa Linda Mall" changed to the "Santa Fe Place," which met negative criticism within the community. Since its name change, Trademark Property Co. planners had suggested changing the name yet again to "Las Ramblas," after the street of the same name in Barcelona.
Originally the food court at the Santa Fe Place was named El Mercado. The food court hosted 12 restaurants, an arcade and the United Artists South movie theater. After changing management, El Mercado was changed to The Market, after renovation. The Market can house 6 restaurants, due to Foot Action previously occupying the other half of the court. When renovated, the seating area was leveled. In 2020, Spinoso Group remodeled the food court, along with adding a ropes course as the centerpiece. Rad Retrocade also will fill the former Jets Arcade location.
