Development and Opening The Mall was formerly the
Ford Motor Company’s
San Jose Assembly Plant that was built in 1955. The plant closed down in 1983 in part due to increasing competition with Japanese auto manufacturers.
Great Mall of the Bay Area, which had opened on September 22, 1994, was developed between a joint venture of Ford Motor Land Development Corporation of
Dearborn, Michigan and Petrie Dierman Kughn of
McLean, Virginia. When the mall first opened, it featured five entrances with themes of modes of transportation that matched with the courts within. The Great Autos court was themed after
automobiles and was filled with 1950's car themes such as vintage gas pumps and
Coca-Cola machines with a 1957 Ford Skyliner that sat on a rotating platform as the center piece. The other courts were "Great Railroads," "Great Ships," "Great Planes," and "Great Eats", each having their own unique environments. At the time of the mall's opening in 1994, the mall was 68% leased. Today, an
oak tree with a plaque commemorating Great Mall's history stands in the southwest section of its
parking lot.
2010s In 2016, it was announced that the mall would be undergoing renovation in the spring. The renovation was completed in time for the 2016 Holiday season. However, its vacancy would be short lived as
Dick’s Sporting Goods would open up in Sports Authority’s vacancy. It would open in June 2017. ==Location==