San Rafael Demolishes Vintage Sears Building for Redevelopment

This article details the ongoing transformation of the Mall at Northgate in San Rafael. Crews are tearing down the 1960s-era Sears building as part of an ambitious redevelopment plan for the Terra Linda corridor.

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Demolition underway at the Mall at Northgate

Ghilotti Bros. crews started dismantling the exterior walls of the old Sears building this week. They’re peeling back decades of Northgate history, one chunk at a time.

The removal marks a pivotal moment in the Mall at Northgate’s evolution. The mall originally opened in 1965 as the Northgate Fashion Mall, with Sears as a marquee anchor.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, photographers captured the ongoing demolition. It’s a clear sign that the area is shifting from a single-tenant retail anchor to something much broader—a mixed-use redevelopment that Marin County officials say could redefine this stretch of San Rafael.

The Sears location has stood vacant since the department store chain left in 2018. That’s left a blank slate for developers and the surrounding community.

Local coverage frames the project as part of San Rafael’s larger redevelopment story. The Terra Linda neighborhood’s future seems tied to a reimagined Northgate area—one long associated with the city’s suburban shopping days, and now maybe on the cusp of something new.

Redevelopment scope and timeline

The core vision for the Terra Linda corridor focuses on turning a dated suburban mall into a mixed-use hub. The plan blends living, shopping, and dining in a way that feels more connected and lively.

The project calls for more than 1,400 residences, along with new shops and several restaurants. The idea is to create an integrated community within walking distance of San Rafael’s neighborhoods and services.

Officials say the redevelopment is about more than just housing numbers. They want to craft a pedestrian-friendly environment that fits with nearby Marin County towns like Larkspur, Corte Madera, and Novato.

No one’s shared a precise completion date yet. Planners mention a phased approach that aims to keep key transit connections and tries to minimize disruption for current Terra Linda residents and longtime mall shoppers.

Community impact and regional significance

In San Rafael, the Sears demolition sits at the heart of a bigger conversation about aging commercial centers. Marin County faces the challenge of adapting these spaces for modern housing needs while keeping a sense of place alive.

Nearby Marin County towns and residents of Terra Linda are watching closely. They’re wondering how new homes, shops, and restaurants might change traffic, public spaces, and the area’s overall vibe.

Benches in the old mall’s corridors, once surrounded by big-box retail signs, will disappear. New street-level spots and more flexible spaces for small businesses will take their place.

This shift follows a national trend. Across the country, folks are turning old suburban malls into lively, mixed-use neighborhoods with more housing—something a lot of Marin County leaders say could help with the housing crunch, without losing that small-town charm.

Key development numbers: >1,400 residences; new shops and restaurants; repurposed space replacing the Sears anchor
Contractor: Ghilotti Bros., the team responsible for the exterior demolition
Location context: Mall at Northgate, San Rafael, near the Terra Linda corridor

The Northgate project stands out as a real-life example of how to breathe new life into old retail centers. Residents from San Rafael, Terra Linda, and nearby towns can expect more updates as planning continues, traffic studies happen, and construction moves ahead.

For Marin County readers, the Sears story at Northgate isn’t just about tearing something down. It’s about figuring out how to remember a retail past while building a more connected, housing-rich future—maybe even one worth getting a little excited about.

Here is the source article for this story: Crews demolish vintage Sears in San Rafael

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Joe Harris is the founder of MarinCountyVisitor.com, a comprehensive online resource inspired by his passion for Marin County's natural beauty, diverse communities, and rich cultural offerings. Combining his love for exploration with his intimate local knowledge, Joe curates an authentic guide to the area featuring guides on Marin County Cities, Things to Do, and Places to Stay. Follow Joe on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.