What Happened to Southdale Center?

Southdale Center, located in Edina, Minnesota, holds a significant place in American retail history as the nation's first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall. Conceived by Austrian-born architect Victor Gruen and developed by the Dayton Company (now Target Corporation), it opened its doors on October 8, 1956. Gruen's vision was to create a community hub, a 'third place' beyond home and work, offering a comfortable, year-round environment for shopping and socializing, particularly appealing in Minnesota's harsh climate.

The mall's initial design featured a central garden court with tropical landscaping, sculptures, and cafes, aiming to replicate the lively pedestrian environments of European city centers. This revolutionary concept quickly influenced mall development across the United States, setting a new standard for suburban retail. However, Gruen himself later expressed disappointment that many subsequent malls adopted only the commercial aspects of his design, neglecting the broader community-centric vision.

Over the decades, Southdale Center experienced various expansions and renovations, adapting to changing consumer trends and economic shifts. It was sold to the O'Connor Group in 1997 and later acquired by Simon Property Group in 2007. Like many traditional malls, Southdale faced challenges with anchor store closures, including JCPenney in 2017 and Herberger's in 2018, and increasing competition from online retail.

In response to these challenges and to ensure its continued relevance, Simon Property Group embarked on a multi-year, multimillion-dollar transformation, with a reported investment of $400 million. This ambitious redevelopment, which gained significant momentum from 2019 onwards, focuses on creating a mixed-use destination. Key additions include a Life Time Fitness athletic resort and co-working space (opened 2019), luxury apartments, a Kowalski's Markets grocery store, and a Puttshack entertainment venue (both opened 2024).

A major component of the current transformation is the introduction of a new luxury wing, which began opening in June 2025 and continues to roll out through 2026. This wing is designed to attract high-end brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Watches of Switzerland/Rolex, Max Mara, and David Yurman, aiming to establish Southdale as a premier luxury retail destination in the Upper Midwest. New retailers such as Aritzia, Mango, Pandora, Athleta, JD Sports, and CAMP are also opening throughout the mall in 2025 and 2026. The Hennepin County Southdale Library also closed in January 2025, with a new combined library and Edina Art Center breaking ground in October 2025.

As of April 22, 2026, Southdale Center continues its evolution, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. However, on this date, the mall experienced a security incident, prompting a temporary lockdown and a strong police presence as authorities investigated reports linked to a possible security threat. The lockdown was later lifted, and no active threat was confirmed. This incident underscores the ongoing need for robust security measures in public spaces, even as malls reinvent themselves for the future.