Southdale Center introduced the formula for the regional indoor shopping mall. Click on the icons to learn more.
Blank Exterior Walls
Architect Victor Gruen’s goal was to take the typical suburban shopping center, which faced out to the street, and flip it so that the stores faced inward into an air-conditioned space.
Window Placement
Gruen placed windows up high, at the top of the building, so shoppers would not be distracted by exterior views.