The History Of Shopping Malls

vera Explore the history of shopping malls. Learn how early designs aimed to create community hubs, not just stores. See the visual story now!

benjaminacoppels Cars actually dragged shopping out of downtowns to create the modern mall.

federico Discover the surprising history of the first indoor mall and how it was designed to mimic walkable European towns in this engaging infographic.

federico How the Automobile Drove Malls to the Suburbs

federico Why Southdale Center Changed Shopping Forever

federico Victor Gruen designed the first enclosed mall to recreate European public squares in American suburbs.

federico Post-WWII highway expansion and rising car ownership moved families out of cities.

federico Opened in Minnesota in 1956, Southdale Center was the first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall.

federico Early malls purposefully omitted windows and skylights to make shoppers lose track of time.