Southdale Center

Southdale Center
View of the center court prior to 2012 renovation
LocationEdina, Minnesota, U.S.
Coordinates44°52′50″N 93°19′34″W / 44.88056°N 93.32611°W / 44.88056; -93.32611
Address6901 France Avenue South
Opening dateOctober 8, 1956 (October 8, 1956)
DeveloperDayton Company (now Target Corporation)
ManagementSimon Property Group
OwnerSimon Property Group
ArchitectVictor Gruen Associates
Stores and services110
Anchor tenants5 (4 open, 1 vacant)
Floor area1,297,608 square feet (120,551.7 m2; 29.7890 acres; 12.05517 ha)
Floors4
Public transit Metro Transit: E, 36, 515, 537, 538, 578
SouthWest Transit: 600
WebsiteOfficial website

Southdale Center is a shopping mall located in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities. It opened in 1956 and is the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall in the United States. Southdale Center has 1,297,608 square feet (120,551.7 m2; 29.7890 acres; 12.05517 ha) of leasable retail space, and contains 106 retail tenants. The mall is owned by Simon Property Group, and major tenants include Macy's, Dave & Buster's, AMC Theatres, Life Time Athletic, Kowalski's, and the Hennepin County Service Center.

Victor Gruen, the center's architect, designed the mall to challenge the car-centric America that was rising in the 1950s. Since its opening in 1956, Southdale has suffered through high vacancy rates and several store closures, but has been able to recover in recent years. Several additions have been performed on the building, including a 2011 renovation which involved the construction of a brand new food court. Southdale Center continues to use much of its original structure despite these renovations, and has been the host of several charity and community events throughout the years.