Fulton Mall, Fresno
Fulton Mall is a pedestrian mall and urban park that was established in 1964 by excluding vehicular traffic from six blocks of Fulton Street, along with portions of three intersecting streets. The mall was designed as the centerpiece of a transformative plan for Fresno鈥檚 downtown area by Victor Gruen and Associates, with Garrett Eckbo, a noted landscape architect, responsible for the modernist landscape design. Despite its initial popularity, Fulton Mall faced challenges due to the city's suburban expansion and the opening of the Fashion Fair Mall six miles to the north.
Fulton Street, originally known as J Street, has been a main corridor for business activity since Fresno's inception. The street saw the construction of several notable buildings, including the 10-story Helm Building in 1914, known as Fresno's first skyscraper, and the locally-founded Gottschalks department store. Other significant structures on Fulton Street include the 8-story Bank of Italy building (1918), the Rustigian Building (1920), the Radin-Kamp Department Store (1924), the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building, and the Warnors Theater, both from the 1920s.
The design of Fulton Mall was part of an early example of the masterplan-oriented thought process pioneered by Victor Gruen, whose ideas influenced the development of shopping malls across the United States. The mall's creation aimed to convert Fulton Street into a high-quality, dense activity pedestrian mall, reflecting Eckbo's modernist landscape design ethos. The area was adorned with sculptures by renowned artists, including "The Visit" by Clement Renzi, "Aquarius Ovoid" by George Tsutakawa, and the rare "Washer Woman" sculpture by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, one of only six original bronze castings in the world.
Despite its historical and architectural significance, the Fulton Mall experienced a decline as Fresno expanded outward, drawing businesses and shoppers to suburban locations. However, the mall remains a testament to mid-20th-century urban planning and design, featuring a rich collection of public art and significant historical buildings that continue to be points of interest in downtown Fresno.
Fulton Street, originally known as J Street, has been a main corridor for business activity since Fresno's inception. The street saw the construction of several notable buildings, including the 10-story Helm Building in 1914, known as Fresno's first skyscraper, and the locally-founded Gottschalks department store. Other significant structures on Fulton Street include the 8-story Bank of Italy building (1918), the Rustigian Building (1920), the Radin-Kamp Department Store (1924), the San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building, and the Warnors Theater, both from the 1920s.
The design of Fulton Mall was part of an early example of the masterplan-oriented thought process pioneered by Victor Gruen, whose ideas influenced the development of shopping malls across the United States. The mall's creation aimed to convert Fulton Street into a high-quality, dense activity pedestrian mall, reflecting Eckbo's modernist landscape design ethos. The area was adorned with sculptures by renowned artists, including "The Visit" by Clement Renzi, "Aquarius Ovoid" by George Tsutakawa, and the rare "Washer Woman" sculpture by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, one of only six original bronze castings in the world.
Despite its historical and architectural significance, the Fulton Mall experienced a decline as Fresno expanded outward, drawing businesses and shoppers to suburban locations. However, the mall remains a testament to mid-20th-century urban planning and design, featuring a rich collection of public art and significant historical buildings that continue to be points of interest in downtown Fresno.
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Fulton Mall on Map
Sight Name: Fulton Mall
Sight Location: Fresno, USA (See walking tours in Fresno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Fresno, USA (See walking tours in Fresno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Fresno, California
Create Your Own Walk in Fresno
Creating your own self-guided walk in Fresno is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fresno Downtown Walking Tour
Nestled in the heart of California's fertile San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is a city rich in history and cultural vibrancy.
The area's first European exploration began in 1772 with the arrival of Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier and explorer, who later served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the California province. Fresno County, established in 1856 after the California Gold Rush, was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
The area's first European exploration began in 1772 with the arrival of Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier and explorer, who later served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the California province. Fresno County, established in 1856 after the California Gold Rush, was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Fresno, California, boasts a variety of historical buildings that reflect its growth from a small agricultural community to a bustling city. Collectively, these buildings preserve Fresno's past but also contribute to its vibrant urban fabric, blending historical significance with modern vitality.
The Meux Home Museum, an elegant Victorian mansion, offers a glimpse into 19th-century life... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The Meux Home Museum, an elegant Victorian mansion, offers a glimpse into 19th-century life... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles