Autumn 1954 and America's first regional-class, fully-enclosed shopping mall is in the early stages of construction.
Photo from http://www.mnhs.org  / Minnesota Historical Society / Southdale Mall


By the autumn of 1956, finishing touches are being added to the indoor Garden Court.
Photo from http://www.mnhs.org  / Minnesota Historical Society / Southdale Mall


October 8, 1956. SOUTHDALE CENTER opens for business. The complex encompasses over 800,000 leasable square feet and will eventually house seventy-five stores and services.
Photo from http://www.mnhs.org  / Minnesota Historical Society / Southdale Mall


Click on the arrow to watch a short film about Greater Minneapolis' revolutionary SOUTHDALE CENTER.
Video from University of Wyoming American Heritage Center / Victor Gruen Papers