Southdale Center, Edina MN 1963

This authentic 1960s color photograph, captured in 1963, provides a detailed view of the bustling Garden Court at Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota. The archival image highlights the mall’s role as a community social hub, featuring a “Natural Gas Space Age Energy” educational exhibit with bright yellow panels and rocket-themed graphics. To the left, a towering, floor-to-ceiling wire bird aviary houses live trees and birds, a signature feature of architect Victor Gruen’s original design. The multi-level concourse is characterized by mid-century architectural elements, including wood-trimmed balconies, exposed orange support pillars, and sophisticated vertical light fixtures. Shoppers are seen resting on wooden benches near stone planters filled with tropical greenery, while others navigate the escalators in the background. Southdale Center, which opened in 1956, was a global pioneer as the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall. While the interior has been extensively modernized and original features like the giant aviary have been removed, the mall remains a landmark of American retail history. This factual record captures the optimistic, futuristic atmosphere of suburban life in the early sixties. All our images are available as royalty-free instant downloads for use in books, media, and creative projects – or make your own prints for home, work, or as a truly unique gift.