Southdale Center, located at the intersection of West 66th Street and France Avenue South in Edina, Minnesota, holds a special place in retail history as the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the United States. Opened in 1956, it set the standard for the modern shopping experience and introduced an innovative concept that transformed retail forever.
The Visionary Behind Southdale
The idea for Southdale Center came from Victor Gruen, a master architect whose previous project, Northland Center in Detroit, was a success. In 1952, Gruen was commissioned by the Dayton Company to design a retail complex that would serve the growing Twin Cities suburbs. The chosen location was an 82-acre tract of farmland, formerly part of the Robinson-Day Farm, about eight miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis.
Gruen’s vision for Southdale was revolutionary. Unlike other shopping centers of the time, where stores faced outward toward parking lots, Southdale’s stores faced inward, focusing on an enclosed, climate-controlled environment. This design was modeled on European city centers, where shopping, socializing, and community activities could coexist.
The Birth of a Mall
Groundbreaking for Southdale took place on October 29, 1954, and by October 8, 1956, the center opened its doors to the public. Spanning 810,000 square feet, the original structure centered around the Garden Court, a three-story atrium filled with tropical plants, sculptures, fountains, and even a 45-foot bird aviary. This indoor environment was not only practical for Minnesota’s harsh winters but also created a unique experience for visitors, unlike anything seen before.
Southdale’s early retail mix included anchors like the Dayton Company and L.S. Donaldson, along with a variety of stores such as Walgreen’s, Woolworth’s, and Red Owl supermarket. The center quickly became a hub for shopping and socializing, establishing itself as a groundbreaking success in suburban retail.
Expansions and Renovations
Southdale’s early success led to several expansions and renovations. The first came in 1963, with the addition of a third floor to Dayton’s, making it 255,000 square feet. In 1971, the mall expanded further with the Gallery Court Wing, adding 33 new stores and a J.C. Penney, which helped solidify Southdale’s status as a premier shopping destination in the region. By the early 1970s, the mall faced new competition from Knollwood Mall and Eden Prairie Center, but Southdale remained a dominant player.
In response to growing competition, particularly from the Mall of America, which opened nearby in 1992, Southdale underwent significant renovations and expansions throughout the 1990s and 2000s. These included the addition of a new Dayton’s store, parking garages, and a reimagined Food Court.
By 2011, the mall was once again transformed with a $32 million facelift, including upgrades to entrances, restrooms, and landscaping. The new anchor, Herberger’s, opened in 2011 but closed in 2018. Most recently, Kowalski’s, a local supermarket, opened on the first level of the former Herberger’s space in September 2024.
The Edina Galleria: Southdale’s Upscale Neighbor
Adjacent to Southdale, the Edina Galleria has long been a complementary and contrasting retail destination. Originally a freestanding furniture store in 1959, it expanded into an enclosed shopping center by 1974. Today, the Galleria is known for its more upscale offerings, including luxury brands, boutiques, fine dining establishments and even the Edina Galleria Condos by Westin. Together, Southdale and the Galleria create a retail corridor in Edina that attracts shoppers from across the region.
A Legacy That Lives On
As the first fully enclosed shopping mall in America, Southdale Center has had a lasting impact on retail design and culture. Despite the evolving nature of shopping malls and the rise of e-commerce, Southdale remains an enduring symbol of innovation in suburban retail. Its history, combined with its continuous efforts to modernize and adapt, ensures that Southdale will remain a cherished destination for shoppers in the Twin Cities and beyond.
From its groundbreaking design to its ongoing transformation, Southdale Center continues to be a pillar of Edina’s commercial landscape, standing proudly alongside the luxurious Edina Galleria. Together, they represent a rich history of retail development that has shaped shopping culture not just in Minnesota but across the country.