An incredible marvel took place on Oct. 8, 1956 in Edina, Minnesota, an upscale suburb of Minneapolis as 40,000 visitors thronged to experience something they could never imagine.
The opening of Southdale Center was first fully-enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall in the U.S. The term “mall” was new. Originally referring to a European “pedestrian promenade with shops along either side.”
At almost 1.3 million square feet spread over nearly 30 acres, it successfully brought the outdoors into an enclosed space. Something absolutely appreciated by Minnesotans, who endure months of below zero temperatures…