The designers, architects and builders did a commendable job of repurposing the massive buildings’ footprint. Some new buildings were added, including a movie theater and other entertainment and retail spaces. The property’s former life is a bit less recognizable from the outside, although inside it’s pretty clear. The original plant’s metal ceiling and roof girder structure has been retained, cleaned up, painted, and lighted to give a bit of a “warehousy” feel; the original corrugated metal roofing and skylights have also been retained and reused. Look up and you can still see mounting hardware for the variety of assembly line equipment fixtures that once hung there. It’s all a great thing to see, and it gives the property unique character while honoring its historic past.

We were told that a commemorative plaque discussing the property’s history and former life was mounted “on an oak tree in the Southeast parking lots.” After driving every inch of every parking lot, we couldn’t locate any such thing. So we stormed the on-site management office, and met with an enthusiastic and helpful assistant property manager, who was well aware of the site’s former Ford life. She indicated that, since the property is undergoing mild remodeling and modernization in several areas, said plaque was currently safely in storage. She did, however, point us to a display case out on the mall floor containing artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the mall’s Ford history – it’s not huge, but makes the point. She also added that a larger and more comprehensive display is in the works to further recognize the mall’s Ford past.

If you’re in the area, it’s worth a walk through to see where – perhaps -- your car was built: Head to 447 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas, CA 95035 or see: https://www.simon.com/mall/great-mall



FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY MATT STONE, PHIL SKINNER COLLECTION and FORD MEDIA ARCHIVE