 By 1959, the mall was under construction, and completed in late 1960, with a grand opening on February 20, 1961.Designed by the San Diego-based architectural firm Deems-Lewis, the mall contained two large anchor spaces, occupied by Montgomery Ward, and May Company, 70 inline stores, as well as a large central courtyard.Due to its location in the floodplain of the San Diego River, the mall was designed with the stores on the level above the parking garage.