Two 20th century titans attended the mall's opening. Arthur Vining Davis (on the left) developed the complex, along with Sears. He was a Miami real estate tycoon who had been president and chairman of the board of Alcoa (Aluminum Company of America). In 1960, he was considered the third-richest man in the world. Sebastian Spering Kresge (on the right) opened his first 5 & 10 in Detroit in 1899. By 1960, the Kresge Company operated the second-largest variety store chain in the nation.

Photo 1 from http://webapps.jhu.edu/namedprofessorships/images/Davisdon

Photo 2 from http://kresge_org/about-us

The NORTHSIDE CENTER Kresge's encompassed 28,000 square feet, on a single level.

Drawing from the Kresge Company Annual Report 1958

Hartley's opened their second branch at NORTHSIDE CENTER (the first having been in Fort Lauderdale). Selling ladies' fashions, as well as apparel for the entire family, the NORTHSIDE store featured murals painted by Anton Refregier and Howard Mandel.
Drawing from Northside Center, Incorporated

A vintage view of the NORTHSIDE Sears Service Station-Auto Center.
Photo from http://search.pbase.com / Don Boyd

In a circa-'70 layout, we notice two recent additions. The Northside Theatre opened, as a single-screen venue, in January 1968. By 1970, it has been reconfigured as the Northside Twin 1 & 2. Miami's J. Byron chain chain opened a NORTHSIDE store in October 1969.