Ingka Centres Unveils First Plant-forward Food Hall in San Francisco

Sweden-based Ingka Centres, known for its Ikea-anchored shopping malls, recently unveiled its new venture, Saluhall, at the San Francisco Meeting Place. This marks the global debut of the "plant-forward" food hall concept, spanning two levels and 23,000 square feet. Partnering with food and beverage specialist Kerb, Saluhall boasts 11 food outlets, including five local independent traders. Additionally, it features a cooking school developed in collaboration with Danish chef Claus Meyer, a Scandinavian bakery, and two bars.

Mixed-Use Concept in the U.S.

San Francisco's Meeting Place, anchored by an Ikea store and Hej!Workshop coworking space, represents Ingka's maiden mixed-use endeavor in the United States. Managing Director Cindy Andersen expresses the company's enthusiasm for this model, emphasizing their interest in identifying similar locations across North America. While acknowledging the need for site-specific evaluations, Ingka Centres focuses on urban areas with high foot traffic for future ventures.

Expansion Plans and Growth Strategy

Ingka Centres acquired 945 Market St. in 2020, opening the Ikea store in 2023 and Hej! earlier this year. The entire Meeting Place spans approximately 256,000 square feet. Despite recent challenges in San Francisco's commercial real estate and retail sectors, Andersen affirms Ingka's commitment to the Bay Area. She anticipates Saluhall's full opening will contribute to downtown San Francisco's revitalization, particularly amidst the emergence of AI companies in the region. The company views Saluhall as a catalyst for community-centric destinations and plans to evaluate its performance before expanding the concept to other locations.