Mall Redevelopment Opportunity

Current Situation – Updated October 2025
The City of Palm Desert continues to work closely with Pacific Retail, the owner of The Shops at Palm Desert, as conversations about the property’s future redevelopment progress. The ownership team is preparing a site plan for the City’s review, which represents the next key step toward realizing a comprehensive vision for the mall’s next chapter.

The City remains eager to support this process and looks forward to working collaboratively to bring forward a plan that reflects our community’s goals for a vibrant, mixed-use destination. In the meantime, occupancy within the mall has continued to rise, signaling renewed energy and opportunity for the property.

Former Sears Site – Development Opportunity

The former Sears building at the Shops at Palm Desert has completed the Surplus Land Act process and is now available for acquisition and redevelopment. This high-visibility site presents a unique opportunity for qualified buyers to reimagine a key anchor within one of the City’s primary commercial corridors. The City is seeking proposals that align with community goals and contribute to the long-term vitality of the surrounding area.

Detailed information regarding the property, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria is provided in the Notice of Availability below. Interested parties are encouraged to review all materials carefully and submit proposals in accordance with the outlined process.

CITY OF PALM DESERT

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

The City of Palm Desert (“City”) hereby invites qualified interested parties to submit offers for the purchase and redevelopment of a City-owned approximately seven (7) acre parcel formerly known as the SEARS building attached to The Shops at Palm Desert (“Mall”) at 72880 Highway 111, Palm Desert, California.

This solicitation presents an opportunity to participate in the repositioning of one of Palm Desert’s most prominent commercial sites. Palm Desert is a premier Coachella Valley community distinguished by its central location, strong market fundamentals, year-round visitation, exceptional quality of life, and a demonstrated commitment to thoughtful economic development.

Through this solicitation, the City seeks proposals from qualified, well-capitalized, experienced development teams capable of advancing the revitalization and repositioning of this key commercial site, with an emphasis on quality, long-term vision, and timely execution.

Interested parties shall submit information sufficient for the City to evaluate the following:

• Respondent qualifications and team composition, including but not limited to relevant experience with comparable projects, and working with multiple invested property owners, including department stores, who are parties to a Reciprocal Easement Agreement (REA).
• Development and Redevelopment experience, particularly with commercial mixed-use, repositioning of vacant retail properties with anchor tenants.
• Financial capacity to acquire, execute and deliver the project.
• Proposed purchase offer and business terms.
• Implementation strategy and project schedule, including ability to move expeditiously.
• Experience collaborating with the local jurisdictions, multiple stakeholders, property owners, and proven experience working with and seeking to amend Reciprocal Easement Agreements in large mall-type projects.
• Submission Deadline: 5 p.m. PST, May 7, 2026
• Submission via email only at: malvarez@palmdesert.gov

For additional information, contact: Martin Alvarez, Director of Economic Development, malvarez@cityofpalmdesert.gov

The City reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any or all submissions; request clarifications or supplemental information; waive non-material irregularities; modify, suspend, or terminate this solicitation at any time; negotiate with one or more respondents; and proceed in the manner the City determines to be in its best interest. Issuance of this Notice does not obligate the City to select any respondent, enter into negotiations, or approve the sale of the Property unless and until such action is authorized through any required public process and formal City approval.

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