Commercial Scene : Rancho California to Get Its First Large Mall Project

Plans for the development of the first major shopping mall in Rancho California have been announced by Bedford Properties of Lafayette, Calif.

Preliminary negotiations are under way with Melvin Simon & Associates of Indianapolis to enter into a joint venture on the project.

The 1-million-square-foot regional shopping mall, to be located at Interstate 15 and Winchester and Ynez roads, will be part of a high-quality, 300-acre retail, office and hotel development planned for the site.

Bedford Properties expects to start construction later this year on the first phase of the complex, vice president Bill Bopf said. The initial phase of 43 acres, slated to open in 1990, will include an 86,000-square-foot K mart, a home-improvement center, department store, supermarket and a variety of specialty stores.

The second phase, to be developed by the Bedford/Melvin Simon joint venture, will consist of four to six major department stores. Completion of this phase has been tentatively set for 1993; the final phases of the regional complex will include 1.5 million square feet of office buildings and a 500-room hotel.

Bedford Properties’ announcement comes at a time when the communities Rancho California and Temecula are proposing incorporation. The new shopping center is expected to bring substantial sales tax revenue and services to the area.