In a Kodak moment, planners are photographed mulling over a scale model of the proposed shopping facility. It was built on the site of the former Oakland Speedway and Oakland Stadium auto and motorcycle racing courses.
Photo from www.bayareanewsgroup.com

The mall was anchored by Macy's California. The BAY FAIR store, which originally encompassed 160,000 square feet on 2 levels, was designed by San Francisco's John Savage Bolles.

Photo from Gordon Sommers / Heather David

 

A digitally-restored store map from 1957 shows locations of each of the twenty-three charter stores and services. This mall structure was designed by Victor Gruen.
Diagram from R.H. Macy & Company

A 1959 newspaper ad commemorates the grand opening of a Phase III mall expansion. Eight stores were added in a new northwest wing. Musical entertainment at the 3-day grand opening gala included a "Sing Along" segment, conducted by Mitch Miller, host of the popular NBC-TV "Sing Along With Mitch" series.
Advert from R.H. Macy & Company