America's Oldest Indoor Shopping Mall Is Getting A Luxurious Makeover
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
The Southdale Shopping Center opened in 1956 in Edina, Minnesota, and was the U.S.'s first indoor mall. Now, almost 70 years later, it's getting a massive $400 million makeover.
Renovations began in late 2023, courtesy of Simon Property Group, which owns the mall. Jonathan Murphy, co-president of Simon's Mall Platform, told KSTP about the company's goals.
"Southdale's iconic status as the country's first enclosed shopping center makes it a unique gem [...] and a prioritized target for creating an elevated offering," said Murphy.
He added that the company wants Southdale to be on the level of some of its other properties, like The Shops at Crystals in Vegas. The renovations should be complete by early 2025.
Because of online shopping, a lot of malls have fallen in recent years. To combat this, the Southdale Center is focusing on high-end retailers that offer big-ticket purchases.
Part of Southdale's plan is to add five new retail spaces with their own separate entrances, valet parking, a walkway, and over 20 high-end stores in a "luxury wing."
The mall's new life began in 2019 when general manager Judy Tullius stated she wanted to make the mall into a "mixed-use lifestyle" experience via the nearby luxury apartments.