Northland Center, Southfield, Detroit 1963

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1963, depicts a busy afternoon on the outdoor pedestrian concourse of Northland Center in Southfield, near Detroit, Michigan. The archival image highlights the mall’s pioneering open-air design, featuring a series of slim turquoise support columns and a flat roof overhang that provided shelter for shoppers. Storefronts for prominent retailers of the era are visible, including Florsheim Shoes, Irwins, and a large Hudson’s (J.L. Hudson Co.) anchor building in the background. In the foreground, a brick-bordered planter filled with yellow and red foliage adds a natural touch to the modernist architecture, while shoppers in period-correct attire—including women in floral day dresses and men in tailored slacks—stroll along the concrete walkways. Designed by architect Victor Gruen and opened in 1954, Northland Center was the first regional shopping center of its kind in the world, setting the standard for suburban retail development. While the mall was eventually enclosed and later closed permanently in 2015, this factual record preserves the vibrant, mid-century atmosphere of Detroit’s premier shopping destination during its peak years. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.