Macy’s as it looked at its opening in 1956. You can just see the ferris wheel and kid’s park located on the roof, a surprising innovation for its time.

1956 – Population: 300,000
Macy’s built Valley Fair as an open air center with Macy’s as the anchor and 65 small shops. The original Macy’s had a Ferris wheel and kiddie rides along with a restaurant on its roof.

1963 – By 1963, The Hahn Company owned Valley Fair and acquired the shopping center adjacent to it, Stevens Creek Plaza, which was anchored by Emporium and I. Magnin Department Stores. Due to their success in San Jose, Macy’s added a second floor to their store at Valley Fair.

1986 – Population: 700,000
The Hahn Company combined the two, enclosed them, and added Nordstrom plus 50 small shops to create the new Valley Fair.

1997 – Valley Fair’s interior was renovated and updated.

1998 – Trizec Hahn sold Valley Fair to Westfield Corporation.

2001 – Population: 1.2 million
Westfield updated Valley Fair by building a new Nordstrom along with 50 additional small stores along a corridor that connects Nordstrom and Macy’s Women’s.

Today - Population: --
Westfield Valley Fair is one of the nation’s leading shopping centers; offering the choices, quality and innovation that the Santa Clara Valley demands.