A fully-enclosed expansion of the mall was formally announced in April 1972, with construction getting underway in June. A South Wing (depicted above) would add 50,000 square feet and contain around twenty-six stores. The first of these opened in March 1973.
Drawing from Western Mall Properties
A circa-'74 site plan shows the new -1.6 million dollar- South Wing in light gray. WESTERN MALL now covered approximately 500,000 leasable square feet, with a tenant roster of fifty-nine stores. It reigned supreme as the only covered shopping mall in its trade area. However, this coveted status was about to change...
As the WESTERN MALL expansion project was wrapping up, final plans were being drawn for a major commercial competitor. SIOUX EMPIRE PLAZA was being developed on a site less than a mile west of WESTERN. This newer -and larger- complex would soon be established as the preeminent shopping venue in the region.
Graphic from the General Growth Development Corporation
