Explore the rich history of Eastridge Mall in San Jose through vintage postcards, iconic 1970s architecture, and major renovations. Discover the mall’s heyday, unique features, and evolving design.
Opened in 1971, Eastridge Mall in San Jose was celebrated as the largest and most beautiful mall in California — even billed as “the largest in the West.” Promising over 160 shops, four major department stores, and three climate-controlled levels, it marked a bold new era in Bay Area shopping. Its grand opening on May 17, 1971, drew crowds from near and far, even sparking bus trips sponsored by the City of Fremont.
Grand Court at Eastridge Mall: 1970s architecture, red carpet & sculpture
The Grand Court was the centerpiece of Eastridge, a dramatic three-level atrium crowned by Macy’s on one end and Liberty House on the other. Vintage postcards from the early 1970s showcase its bold modernist design — a sweeping red carpet, a striking steel sculpture by Stephanie Scuris rising from a central fountain, and a sleek plexiglass information booth gleaming below.
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| 1970s postcard of Eastridge Mall’s iconic red carpet Grand Court, featuring Stephanie Scuris’ steel sculpture rising from the central fountain. Three bold levels of retail unfold around it, with Jarman perched above—capturing the mall at its modernist peak. |
The back of the card reads: "Eastridge Shopping Center, the largest in the West, is a shopper's paradise, comprising over 160 shops and four major department stores under one roof. The three climate controlled levels are unique in their bold design. Capitol Expressway, Tully and Quimby Roads, San Jose, California."
A second look at the Grand Court: Jarman, sculpture & information booth
Perhaps a more pleasing picture of the Grand Court came soon after. The same view, but centered on Jarman, includes the information booth.
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| A second vintage view of Eastridge Mall’s Grand Court, this time centered on Jarman with the sleek plexiglass information booth gleaming below. The cascading red carpet, steel fountain sculpture, and triple-level design showcase the mall’s bold architectural ambition of the early 1970s. |
The back of the postcard reads "The "Grand Court" area of the Eastridge regional shopping center in San Jose, California, features modern shaped plexiglass information booth and a spectacular sculpture in steel by the world famous sculptress, Stephanie Scuris. The center, which is constructed on three levels, boasts four major department stores and 146 other stores."
Vintage Grand Court view: From Liberty House to Macy’s at Eastridge Mall
In this next postcard, we are treated to a vintage "The Gap" logo in the far left top. Who could forget the Arts International on the top right? In the center court is the beautiful sculpture that was later moved to downtown San Jose. With the remodel in 2005, the entire center court was reconfigured. The fountain demolished, and the mystery level removed.
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| A vintage postcard view of the Grand Court from Liberty House looking toward Macy’s at Eastridge Mall. The soaring center court stretches wide, showcasing Stephanie Scuris’ dramatic steel sculpture, gleaming under natural light. Miles of terrazzo flooring reflect a moment when malls were built as cathedrals of commerce. |
The back of the postcard reads "Eastridge Shopping Center, the largest in the West, is a shopper's paradise comprising over 160 shops and four major department stores under one roof. The three climate controlled levels are unique in their bold design. Capitol Expressway, Tully, and Quimby Roads, San Jose, California."
Sears Court at Eastridge Mall: 1970s carpet, stores & postcard view
Sears opened on July 21, 1971. In the Sears Court, the carpet went blue. Some of the stores featured in this next postcard are The Clothes Barn and Singer just below. You can see Jarman way back there.
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| A vintage postcard from the Sears Court at Eastridge Mall, featuring bold blue carpet and a clear view down the concourse toward JCPenney. Along the way, familiar storefronts like The Clothes Barn and Singer flank the path—an iconic snapshot of 1970s suburban retail elegance. |
The back of the postcard reads: "Eastridge Shopping Center, the largest in the West, is a shopper's paradise comprising over 160 shops and four major department stores under one roof. The three climate controlled levels are unique in their bold design. Capitol Expressway, Tully, and Quimby Roads, San Jose, California."
Liberty House at Eastridge Mall: mannequin elevators, Joseph Magnin & 1970s style
A major attraction at Eastridge was the first Liberty House of Hawaii department store on the mainland. Located off the Grand Court, Liberty House stood out for its sleek modernist architectural details and upscale flair, sharing the spotlight with Joseph Magnin.
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| A vintage postcard capturing the iconic pairing of Liberty House and Joseph Magnin at Eastridge Mall. Bold signage, sharp lines, and storefronts that defined upscale 1970s West Coast retail—where fashion met flair under one climate-controlled roof. |
One unforgettable feature was the mannequins endlessly riding glass elevators in a mesmerizing loop—a captivating spectacle that enchanted children and shoppers alike.
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| Newspaper photo of the mannequin elevators inside Liberty House Eastridge. |
Though Liberty House closed its doors in 1978 without ever turning a profit and was later replaced by Emporium-Capwell, the memory of those elevator mannequins lives on through black-and-white newspaper photos. Eventually, the anchor store space was demolished in 2005 to make way for mall renovations.
Eastridge Mall’s 2000s renovation: skybridges, elevators & layout changes
By 2003, Eastridge introduced a three-story skybridge connecting the opposing three-level sections in the Grand Court, aiming to improve shopper flow. While innovative, the skybridges added visual clutter and were removed in a later renovation.
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| Around 2003, Eastridge Mall introduced this bold three-story skybridge in an effort to improve shopper flow and connect the three levels more efficiently. While futuristic in concept, they added visual clutter—and were ultimately removed in the next renovation. |
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Comments
Eastridge was also the place where one could get up close and personal with contemporary art. The "seating pit", that popular icon of the 70's, was not only a cozy place to share with complete strangers, it also usually included a 30 ft high mass of crafted steel to get acquainted with. Somehow this became a signature of Taubman's malls and although I cannot say the seating pits were successful from a sociological, or even practical point of view, they were very cool nonetheless, and later included planters to soften them. The seating pits at Eastridge are long gone, and now Stoneridge is tearing theirs out for new "upscale seating". I haven't been to Hilltop in a while, but that might be the only hope for contemporaty 70's mall seating in the San Francisco region.
The randomness of all the steps looks very cool, but it was probably an insurance nightmare. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of falls. I believe that today, handrails may be required for all steps like that.
The changes in elevation of the mall's levels had nothing to do with the topography of the building site. These were created deliberately as part of the formula for inserting the middle level along two sides of the grand court. The upper and lower levels at the Sears end were intentionally set higher than the upper and lower levels at the JCPenney end. At the grand court, the middle level was inserted on two sides and it played a role in the transition of the upper and lower levels between Sears and JCPenney. It was done in a similar manner at Woodfield, too. Only in that case, the JCPenney wing was higher and the Sears wing was lower.
With all that said - take a second look at the photo. There was a lot of care put in to using different colored tile to make the steps very distinguishable so that patrons would not fall on them. I don't ever remember the steps being problematic for any reason other than they could tire out shoppers and distract them from looking into the stores.
One of these days I'll have to get to Woodfield.
Eastridge did put in a series of ramps to comply with the ADA. However, the stairs are still there! In fact, there is a set of stairs on the second level from the center court towards Penney's. Those are new because of the removal of the mysterious middle level.
Scott
We were referring to the steps that are all over the floor of the lower level, particularly as seen in the photo going from the fountain sculpture back to Liberty House. While lovely to look at, those steps occur at random intervals and angles and surely were problematic to one degree or another. If you look closely near the Liberty House, you'll even see a set of steps with a small ramp through the middle -- all with no handrails. Although I haven't been to Eastridge in over a year, I'm fairly certain that these steps have all been taken out. That's not to say that all stairs are gone. Obviously, there are still stairs at Eastridge, but not the sea of random steps that are seen in this photo.
On another topic, does anyone have old Eastridge directories from the original Taubman era? I don't recall if I've ever seen the original Eastridge logo or not. It would also be interesting to see the list of tenants. Does anyone know what that store is on the lower level, two floors below Jarman and directly below what appears to be Eastpoint Imports? What is the tenant to the right of Eastpoint Imports on the middle level?
Compared to what it used to be like, it's a lot flatter... the stairs are grouped together now. But, they still have them in unusual places and a number of sets that makes it weird. I couldn't imagine it any worse!
The store two down from Jarman? I blew up the picture and could make out "The V--- Two"
Sound familiar?
Scott
Scott
Good work. Thanks. I wonder if The Wax Tree might have been a candle shop, something like Wicks 'n' Sticks. Okay, so what's the tenant to the right of the Eastpoint Imports on the middle level? My guess is that it's some kind of restaurant.
I talked it over with a friend and we think the restaurant on the mid level with the striped awnings was a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. Above that on the top level is the World's Fare Restaurant which was like a food court. Bottom level with the white windows is See's Candies.
Here I was trying to figure out the store between Farrell's and Eastpointe. Petite Sophistocate? :)
Scott
Between The Wax Tree and See's Candies is Albert's Hosiery. Never had reason to go inside one, but I know that at one time they had three locations in Woodfield. Hot Sam pretzels also had three locations in Woodfield. Did any stores have multiple locations in Eastridge? I don't mean relocating from one space to another, but rather multiple locations that coexisted.
So, you got me!
It looked like a Farrell's to me... or TGIFriday's.
Scott
She thinks it was a burger place or Swenson's Ice Creamery.
Scott
But if it was a restaurant, it wouldn't surprise me. My parents and I drove all the way down from Richmond many times to visit Eastridge in the early 70's, and I remember seeing a lot of things that I'd never seen before.
Taubman obviously opted for a lot of experimentation at Eastridge, which was consistent with the fact that the San Jose area was often the "launching point" for many new retail concepts, largely becuase of available land. In fact, I remember a small shop(I think on the middle level) that was a combination Far east gift shop with a small tea and sandwich shop attached. That was wild, though it didn't last long. Anyone remember that?
BTW, what did they do with the middle level in the renovation? Did they knock it out and combine it either the upper or lower levels, or does it still exist and just hidden and closed off?
If I recall, the Eastridge JC Penney was the last Bay Area store that opened with the 60's era "Penneys" logo. J.C. Penney himself died not too long after that and I think that's when they switched back to using the "JC", possibly as a tribute.
The mystery goes on.
Scott
I looked up the location of Todai and now realize that's where Farrell's was located. I think we even ate there once at my insistence -- upper level, near Penney's, on the south entrance to the mall. Too bad they are not still around. It's interesting how Friday's is doing so well on a similar concept.
I only remember the Bumbleberry's that was located in Fremont...lots of purple decor to say the least. Not sure there was one in Eastridge.
I noticed in the pics at Steve's site that there was also a Tiffany's at Eastridge which I absolutely have no recollection of. I noticed there was one in the old pics of Northridge Mall as well. Anyone have any insight into what Tiffany's was??
Alas, I'll have to take a drive down to Eastridge sometime soon to figure out what they have turned the place into. The last time I was there was just before the remodeling. Judging by the lease plan, the upper level has a strange dead end on the south side that used to be the Liberty House wing. Doesn't look like good mall design, but I'll have to see what it's like in person.
I also read that the AMC theaters (that were supposed to go in the demolished Liberty House spot) were built instead over by Sears because the approach to the Reid-Hillview airport imposed restrictions. I assume these are the same restrictions that caused Taubman to throw up their hands on the property.
@Dean: Tiffany's was a chain of bakeries that were found in malls nationwide. They seemed to be everywhere and suddenly they were nowhere. I don't know if any remain, but I haven't seen one in more than ten years.
I'd take a fresh loaf of french bread over to trade for some summer sausage. I was sitting on the roof of sears eating my summer sausage lunch when a small plane comming in for a landing at Ried hill view airport wheel clipped the top of the building flipped and skidded upside down on the roof
noone was hurt and I was outa there in a hurry.
Thank you,
Desperately Seeking Tonia
the department store that was close to Judy's. Does anyone else remember if Express was there around 1984-87?
Seems to me..Farrell's was on the side of the mall. See's candies are still a household favorite..we have that in kiosks in the malls here in Minnesota. Yes..we have the Mall of American and yes it's HUGE...but when you are small child that was wowed by the biggest mall in the West, the MOA wasn't so big...though I know it is...very impressive. My childhood memories are always with Eastridge and Woolworth's MALTS!!!! yum...great, fun memories with my brothers...btw I had a no boys 5th birthday...they were aloud though cuz they didn't count. Thanks for reading my memories of ERM...