One of Victor Gruen's earliest shopping center plans was commissioned by Detroit's J.L. Hudson Company in 1950. The chain was considering expansion into the suburbs. A 103-acre acre tract was being considered for development. This parcel was located 14 miles northeast of center city Detroit, in an incorporated section of Wayne County known as Gratoit ["Grash-it"] Township.

A (350,000 square foot) Hudson's department store would anchor EASTLAND PLAZA. The open-air venue would feature nine store blocks; these arranged around a center parking area. Buildings would be connected via walkways and plazas, with a service tunnel providing out-of-sight freight delivery to stores. This plan was quite revolutionary for its time. 

 

Building material shortages due to the Korean conflict put the project on indefinite hiatus in 1951. 6 years later, a more conventional shopping mall opened on the site.