Luxury stores such as Hermes, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent find their way into University Town Center’s (UTC) latest expansion. The stores are expected to open between this spring and summer. Accompanying the new luxury wing is the first standalone Chanel Boutique in San Diego. UTC is expanding its luxury store department to increase competition with other nearby malls and plazas.
According to Pacific Coast Commercial, “the project, set to open to the public in early 2026, will also add a second valet area near Michael Kors, as well as slightly enlarge and enhance the existing promenade opposite Hermès and Louis Vuitton.”
San Diegans will not only be able to shop for high end fashion items and accessories, but also visit new dining options such as JOEY and Telefèric Barcelona. JOEY is marketed as the “ultimate in casual dining,” and their restaurants stretch across America and Canada with takes on Asian, Italian and American cuisine. Telefèric Barcelona is a family-owned business that serves Spanish tapas, paellas, empanadas and other varieties of authentic plates. However, for the school’s students, the influx of expensive shopping and luxurious dining reduces their willingness to shop at UTC because each trip is costly. Sophia Hu (11) likes to go to UTC with her friends and noticed changes in the mall over the years.
“I’ve been liking Pacsun, Abercrombie & Finch and Uniqlo, which recently opened,” Hu said. “The luxury stores are more touristy. I don’t see a lot of people my age shop there or come to UTC for these stores. I’ve kind of been visiting UTC less because there are so many of them compared to stores I’d actually want to shop at as a teenager.”
While these new establishments may draw tourists or those willing to buy luxury brands, they transform the mall into a place where fewer people can regularly shop for clothing staples or “steals” and good deals.
“San Diego is a popular place to grow a family and have kids,” Hu said. “So I think UTC should cater more to the family side of malls and shopping rather than specific things like luxury stores because it’s hard for people to go shopping for these expensive brands.”
On top of the new additions, stores like J.Crew, Lululemon Athletics and Joe & the Juice are relocating within the mall.
An anonymous staff member at Lululemon feels the change brings a positive impact to their new store location.
“I really like it. It’s a bigger space. It allows more people to come in. [The store] feels more up to date,” the associate said. “Even with the new lighting, I feel like it creates a more welcoming environment.”
As for the continuing changes and relocations at UTC, she sees them as a positive impact on the future of the mall.
“It’s going to make a more welcoming place for everyone, and it’s going to draw more people in,” the associate said.
As for retail clothing stores, J.Crew is moving next to a newly renovated Gap, which temporarily closed in June of 2025. The store returned on Sept. 27 the same year, claiming an upgrade in aesthetic that would put it back on the map as a trendy, popular shopping destination. The Westfield UTC Facebook account posted an advertisement about the reopening, stating, “Gap just got a glow-up at Westfield UTC. Same iconic styles. Fresh new space.”
Cindy Kuei (12) frequents UTC once every two weeks to buy boba, eat at restaurants like Din Tai Fung and shop at stores like Sephora, Hollister and Cotton On.
“I think UTC would be better if they balanced the different types of stores,” Kuei said. “I know a lot of high school students and UCSD students like going there because it’s very pretty and convenient, but if they change it to a more luxurious type of mall, it will not be affordable for these students.”
