B
rookfield Properties has expanded its Asian culinary offerings at the Stonestown Galleria in San Francisco by adding dumplings, ramen, and Vietnamese-fusion fare. The Toronto-based company has signed leases with Supreme Dumplings, Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, and Le Soleil for the indoor mall slated for redevelopment at 3251 20th Avenue, Lakeside. These restaurants are expected to open by next summer, although the terms of their leases have not been disclosed.
The additions to Stonestown's culinary scene further solidify its reputation for trendy Asian cuisine and retail success, as well as its commercial viability. Last year, Japan-based Daiso opened a popular discount store within a 5,250-square-foot space at Stonestown Galleria after investing $400,000 into improvements.
In September, a unit of Japan-based Round One of Osaka agreed to open a Round One Entertainment center in a 50,000-square-foot section of a defunct Nordstrom store. The fun center required an investment of $4.5 million to set up shop.
The three Asian restaurants, popular in Seattle and San Francisco, are expected to generate significant buzz. Supreme Dumplings and Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya are the first foray into the California market for both Seattle-area restaurants founded by Brandon Ting. Supreme specializes in xiao long bao soup dumplings, while Kizuki Ramen focuses on Japanese ramen soup. Le Soleil, a trendy Vietnamese fusion restaurant led by chef Dennis Wong in San Francisco, will occupy a second-floor suite that's part of the former Banana Republic space by year's end.
The retail conversions are a response to demand for food tenants exceeding available space, and a decision to establish larger-scale, destination-driven restaurants across from the second-level food court. Last month, New York-based Brookfield Properties was approved to build a retail village on the parking lots around the 775,000-square-foot indoor mall, built in 1952.
Plans for the 41-acre mall include 3,500 homes, 700 of which will be affordable; 150,000 square feet of shops and restaurants; 96,000 square feet of other commercial uses; 6 acres of parks; and a parking garage for 4,681 cars.
