Costa Mesa, Calif., June 16, 2010 – Costa Mesa, Calif.- based Donahue Schriber has unveiled plans to renovate one of its flagship properties, the 20-year-old Del Mar Highlands Town Center located in northern San Diego County’s Carmel Valley. Physical changes that will enhance the guest experience, add restaurants and retail and improve parking and traffic flow will start this summer on a phased timeline.
"Working closely with our community, we have created a renovation plan that will re-imagine and upgrade the center, providing family-oriented amenities, intimate gathering spaces and improved pedestrian access," said Donahue Schriber Vice President and Del Mar Highlands General Manager, Elizabeth Schreiber. "Our plan will increase the variety of quality dining, shopping and entertainment options and include physical changes that create a true sense of neighborhood."
Del Mar Highlands’ recent consumer research clearly indicated shoppers’ preferences for improved gathering places, more sit-down and full service restaurants as well as additional parking and improved traffic flow. "Our leasing team is in negotiations with several new restaurants in an effort to bring the best of San Diego eateries to Carmel Valley," added Schreiber.
The community amphitheater, an original focal point of the center, will see a dramatic upgrade. The existing concrete seating will be replaced with boutique stores and a state-of-the-art pop-jet fountain. Covered escalators, a new staircase and signature clock tower will connect the lower level to the upper level patio. New amenities to the area will include a variety of restaurants, a fireplace, fountain and comfortable seating.
The existing cinema building will undergo a complete renovation to bring it to a luxury level with state-of-the-art digital equipment and luxurious, reserved seating. "We have studied what is happening with movie theaters in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. We believe Del Mar Highlands is a perfect location to apply this new approach of larger, reserved seats, wider aisles along with better food and beverage service," said Schreiber.
Traffic flow will be improved through signage that encourages customer usage of four of six entrances and the addition of 100 parking stalls throughout the center. Pedestrian walkways will also be expanded between buildings.
With remerchandising efforts underway, joining the list of Del Mar Highlands’ national and local retailers is Tilly’s who will open a 7,000-square-foot space this summer. The current AT&T store has relocated within the center to a space that doubles its size to 2,900 square feet.
Design work is currently underway with Long Beach, Calif.-based architectural firm Perkowitz and Ruth. Construction is expected to commence late this summer with completion anticipated July 2011.
About Del Mar Highlands Town Center
Originally developed by Donahue Schriber in 1989, the 273,298-square-foot Del Mar Highlands Town Center continues to be a dominant community shopping and entertainment center in the affluent Carmel Valley area. The center is located at the corner of Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real and is anchored by Ralphs Fresh Fare, Rite Aid, Ultra Star Cinemas, Barnes & Noble and Jimbo’s…Naturally.
For more information about Del Mar Highlands Town Center or the renovation, please visit
