A dead mall
-UPDATE BELOW-
19 October 2025
(Source)
My family and I were spending a few days in the Bay Area in 2008 when they decided to do some sightseeing. Having visited the same region several instances during my years with the airlines, I decided to go off on my own adventure as one can only take in the sights and smells of Fisherman’s Wharf so many times. Me? I took a short drive inland to California’s capital city, Sacramento.
1- The downtown skyline from the Sacramento River. 2- Downtown from the California State Capitol lawn. 3- The California State Capitol building. 4- One of the many murals downtown. 5 & 6- Scenes of Old Sacramento.
Back in those days, urban vertical shopping malls were still a pretty common feature in city centers. Horton Plaza was still bringing them in with its unique architecture while Pacific Place and MacArthur Center were still finding success. I was on my way to see the City of Trees’ own central retail destination, Downtown Plaza.
1- The Macy’s second location, formerly Weinstock’s. 2- The Fifth Street underpass.
After a quick walk through the city’s tourist district at Old Sacramento with its genuine old west theme featuring souvenir shops and microbreweries, I crossed under the steel arch welcoming me to downtown proper. And just beyond that ornate entrance I could see my destination.
Downtown Plaza lease plan ca. 2011. View the full PDF version here.
Though not fully enclosed, most of the common area was fairly sheltered from the elements. The double tiered facility ran for several city blocks between Seventh and Fourth Streets with a portion running over Fifth. At the time there was only one anchor, Macy’s, though the brand held two separate locations.
The common areas, adorned in accents suited to weather the elements, were highlighted by an impressive rotunda located right at its heart which played host to scores of community events over the years. It boasted standard fare for malls of its age such as American Eagle and Payless Shoesource mixed with several entertainment destinations.
Downtown Plaza came to be in 1971 as a hybrid open-air/enclosed facility built to compliment the downtown Macy’s outlet that had been in business since 1963. One of the earliest examples of its kind, it soon welcomed a second and third anchor with Weinstock’s and Liberty House opening their own locations in 1979 and 1981 respectively.
1- The wrought iron arch welcoming visitors from Old Sacramento. 2- What’s left of the main entrance during reconstruction in 2017. 3- The 1963 Macy’s store. 4 to 6- The new Downtown Commons as a work in progress in 2017.
Liberty House’s short tenure ended in 1984 when they were replaced by I. Magnin, which itself departed in 1992. The structure was then integrated into the common area of Downtown Plaza. Weinstock’s was darkened in 1995 and reopened in 1997 as a second Macy’s location.
Downtown Commons Mallmanac ca. 2022. View the full PDF version here.
After my initial visit in 2008, many changes came to Downtown Plaza. I was witness to some of them in my last visit in 2017. By then, a large portion of the old building had been demolished. Only the former Liberty House, a small portion of the mall in front of Macy’s and the Macy’s itself were kept. Where the balance of the retail facility once sat was built the Golden 1 Center, home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
1- A new sign announcing DOCO near the Fifth Street underpass that was kept for the new development. 2 to 5- The Golden 1 Center and its surrounding plaza where the mid-section of Downtown Plaza once stood. 6- Macy’s next to the Golden 1 Center.
Overall I like what’s been done with what was once Downtown Plaza. Now named Downtown Commons, it is mostly referred to as DOCO. It now exists as an entertainment district to compliment the Golden 1 Center and once again is a valuable asset in the city’s central business district.
-UPDATE-
-19 October 2025
Still under heavy construction during my previous visit to Sacramento in 2017, on my most recent trip in 2025 I was finally able to see the finished product that was the former Downtown Plaza rechristened as Downtown Commons, or DOCO. And I have to say that I was pretty satisfied with what was standing.
The eastern end of Downtown Commons featuring large outdoor plazas and the Golden 1 Center arena.
The original proposal for redevelopment called for retaining the portion of the former Downtown Plaza between Fourth and Fifth Streets but the plans were changed to a full rebuild. Though this modification was somewhat of a disappointment, the replacement construction at least retained the qualities of a shopping mall with the retail spaces facing a common pedestrian corridor running in between.
Downtown Commons pamphlet ca. 2023. View the full PDF version here.
I entered on the northern egress between the former Liberty House and the new Golden 1 Center. With shops only located on the west, there was plenty of space for people to gather. And unlike its predecessor during its twilight, there were plenty of patrons in attendance.
1 & 2- The eastern entrance and façade of Downtown Common’s southern half. 3 to 8- The upper tier of the western portion of the facility.
Though the beginning of the NBA season had yet to come and no events were going on in the Golden 1 Center, a small stage was being set up for an outdoor concert. I was definitely loving the vibe of the new Downtown Commons, but that glee was short lived as I noticed what was directly behind the stage.
It was a label scar displaying the outline of the famed Macy’s logo. The department store, housed in its distinctive earth tone home with its scalloped overhangs, futuristic googie cornices and sixties style stonework façade since 1963, had closed for good a mere couple of months before my arrival.
I made my way to the one portion of Downtown Commons even slightly resembling its predecessor. The section of the former mall that was supposed to be integrated into its successor was demolished and replaced with a modernized structure reminiscent of Downtown Plaza.
1- The Century Theaters on the upper level. 2- Hot Dog on a Stick! 3 to 8- The bottom level of the double tiered mall portion.
The only double tiered piece of Downtown Commons, it hosted smaller vendors such as Panda Express, Lids and even a colorful Hot Dog on a Stick. Yard House and the Century Theaters could also be found within the concourse. It was here where the former mall entrance to Macy’s is located.
Downtown Commons Mallmanac ca. 2025. View the full PDF version here.
While the construction of Downtown Commons has been fully completed for several years and no expansions are planned, Macy’s departure is bringing inevitable changes. After the venerable department store moved on to greener pastures, the location was purchased by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.
1- Macy’s label scar from the Golden 1 Center. 2 to 5- Macy’s former mall entrance. 5 to 7- Macy’s groovy sixties façade. 8- The main entrance to the western portion of Downtown Commons.
The tribe has hinted at possible uses such as more retail, a hotel or even a museum, though no plans have been firmed. Though there are no plans to completely bulldoze the space, there is no doubt that the sixties fabulous exterior seen as an outdated anachronism by most, will more than likely be lost.
This will be my last update for Downtown Plaza. Anything new will be updated in the post for Downtown Commons.
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