Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto first opened in September 1955 with Roos Brothers, then Joseph Magnin a month later. It was unlike anything the Bay Area had seen before. By February 23, 1956, The Emporium completed the vision, solidifying the shopping center as a modern retail destination. Designed by Welton Becket & Associates, with landscaping by Lawrence Halprin, the open-air design embraced mid-century modernism with tropical plantings, shaded walkways, and decorative concrete details.
Vintage views of a mid-century mall
These postcards highlight how Stanford Shopping Center blended luxury and accessibility—where you could buy fine fashion next to aspirin and greeting cards.
 |
| Stanford Shopping Center in its mid-century prime, just after opening in the late 1950s—tropical landscaping, decorative concrete, and modernist flair. |
The back of the postcard reads: "One of the San Francisco Peninsula's newest and most modern shopping centers adjacent to the Stanford University Campus."
 |
| A surprising mid-century mashup: Woolworth’s five-and-dime at the stylish Stanford Shopping Center, where it remained into the late '80s. |
The back of the card reads "The Mall of Stanford Shopping Center. Leisurely shopping in ultra modern department stores and a large variety of the best specialty shops. Located on west side of El Camino Real, Calif." Macy's, ultimately sitting between and behind those two buildings, didn't arrive until 1961.
The 1960s: a decade of expansion
The 1960s were a transformative time for Stanford Shopping Center. On October 12, 1961, Macy’s opened as the mall’s second major department store, bringing a wide range of goods and drawing shoppers from across the region. Then, on August 5, 1963, Saks Fifth Avenue opened its doors, introducing high-end fashion and luxury retail to Palo Alto.
These key additions helped establish the center as a premier shopping destination, blending everyday convenience with upscale appeal—a balance that would define Stanford Shopping Center for decades to come.
A radical remodel: The 1970s redesign
By the early 1970s, Stanford Shopping Center was due for a facelift. Though Bullock's had opened in 1972, the rest of the center was showing its age. Enter Field Paoli Architects, who led a bold renovation that landed in the pages of Architectural Record in June 1977.
What made this remodel groundbreaking? While most shopping centers were enclosing themselves to create climate-controlled interiors, Stanford did the opposite—it stayed open-air. The decision was both architectural and cultural, reinforcing the region’s temperate climate and the center’s distinctive character.
Photos from the 1977 article captured a mall in transition—still elegant, still modern, and increasingly upscale. Stores like The Company (a precursor to Spencer Gifts) added quirky charm, while local and mid-range retailers made it feel like a true neighborhood destination.
 |
| A 1977 cover story in Architectural Record titled “A Theatrical Approach to Shopping Center Remodeling” showcased Stanford Shopping Center’s bold redesign, featuring rounded glass overhangs and The Company store—proof that even malls could be dramatic. |
 |
| The second page of the 1977 Architectural Record spread detailed the redesigned landscaping and layout of Stanford Shopping Center—including a walkway plan and three new pavilion-style buildings that embraced light, air, and flow. |
 |
| The third page of the 1977 Architectural Record article highlights Stanford Shopping Center’s signature design elements—sunlit walkways, rounded glass overhangs, and lush landscaping that preserved the open-air charm while modernizing the experience. |
 |
| The final page of the 1977 Architectural Record feature showcases custom lighting grouped in sculptural clusters—mounted to structural supports, they brought warmth and theatrical flair to the mall’s open-air design. |
The 1980s: polishing the prestige
During the 1980s, Stanford Shopping Center solidified its reputation as Silicon Valley’s luxury shopping destination. The decade’s biggest addition came in 1985, when Neiman Marcus opened its doors, bringing high fashion and national prestige to the center. The arrival of the retailer signaled a new level of sophistication, complementing the mall’s already strong lineup of department stores.
However, the decade also marked the end of an era for one longtime tenant: Joseph Magnin, a fashion-forward chain known for its trendy women’s clothing, closed its Stanford location in 1985.
While some older retailers faded, the mall embraced change—enhancing its landscaping, upgrading storefronts, and welcoming a new generation of upscale specialty stores. By the end of the ’80s, Stanford Shopping Center had firmly established itself as a polished, high-end retail destination aligned with the region’s rising prosperity.
 |
| Stanford Shopping Center, 2005: A view of Macy’s alongside remnants of the 1970s renovation, including original architectural elements and landscaping—just before the center underwent its major 2010s remodel. |
From community hub to luxury destination
Though the tenant mix has changed—Stanford is now home to luxury flagships and high-fashion brands—the bones of the mall remain. Its open-air layout, attention to detail, and California elegance still set it apart from any other retail space in the Bay Area.
 |
| The current Bloomingdale’s at Stanford Shopping Center, opened in 2014 as part of a major redevelopment. It replaced the original 1996 location, which had occupied the former Emporium building. |
Comments
Interestingly, the Fremont Hub did a remodel similar to what was done at Stanford and it actually turned out very nice. The unfortunate side of it is that they cut corners so the results were a bit on the cheap-looking side. They used a lot of 4x4 square tubes for the columns and it came off looking insubstantial. There is much to be said for having appropriately scaled architectural elements in urban environment...a lesson straight out of A Pattern Language.
As I've said before, Stanford better be worried about what's going on at Valley Fair. If Westfield plans to start matching Stanford's upscale offerings, it may be hard to overcome. Ironically, Valley Fair's biggest weapon against Stanford may be Santana Row; which isn't even a PART of it.
Santana Row has proven that upscale shoppers don't mind being outside and on the street if the selection and design is compelling enough. And frankly, Stanford may want to consider demolishing half its strucutres and emulating that model. And while they're at it, tying Nordstrom into the project better.
Problem is, it's easy to talk about how to revive a dying mall. But Stanford has more life than it knows what to do with.
As long as Stanford can continue to attract the wealthy locals, they've got it in the bag.
Scott
And somewhere along that strip, you could build a new Nordstrom. The former Saks which is now Crate & Barrell/Andronicos could easily be relocated as well. Then that entire space across Arboretum Drive could be devoted soley to parking with bridges leading to the main center.
That way, Stanford would get its extra square footage, the old mall wouldn't be touched, you don't need to reconfigure streets(much) and there'd be one less reason to go to Santana Row.
However, anything more ambitious really requires the wrecking ball big time. But whatever they do, they need to build UP, not out. And isn't it about time they tried to incorporate more "College Town" elements into the center? After all it's Stanford, not Berkeley; and there shouldn't be a risk of scaring Mr. and Mrs. Thurston Howell away from their weekly trip to Neiman Marcus.
Do you think people shop at Santana Row for the atmosphere?
Scott
Personally, I'd love to walk into the fanciest store and ask where Wal-Mart is.
From what I've read, one guy who's not crazy at all about Santana Row is Lew Wolff, the Oakland A's managing partner and owner of a lot of property in San Jose including the Fairmont Hotel. Needless to say he's furious at the SJ city council for supporting the Valley Fair expansion as it essentially kills any chance of bringing retail downtown.
Looks like Santana Row made number 1. You may have seen the earlier post.
Scott