Bayfair Center Closure: Shuttered San Leandro mall turns to tech to revitalize, adds Vantage Robotics and Berkeley Yeast [Video]

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) — A closed East Bay mall is reimagining itself as a tech hub.

The anticipation and buzz at Vantage Robotics in San Leandro isn’t just over the company’s tiny new nano-drone, but over the space the tech company has chosen to grow in.

“It was strange to begin with for many people. But once they saw the setup, it made sense,” said Vijay Santhakumar, vice president of Operations and Hardware.

When the Bayfair Mall closed inside last year — along with anchor tenant, Macy’s, this past spring — the property was reimagined into 4,000 square feet of flexible production and R&D space. Vantage Robotics now does its manufacturing, research, shipping and more from a former bookstore.

MORE: Generative AI technology now being used for sports play-by-play commentary. Here’s how it works

“We’ve settled in pretty well,” Santhakumar said.

The company used to be headquartered in a traditional office facility. But when this mall property became available, the obvious benefit …