 Groundbreaking for Southdale took place on October 29 , 1954 ; 800 construction workers were needed to build the three @-@ story , 800 @,@ 000 sq ft ( 74 @,@ 000 m2 ) , 500 acre center , which had 5 @,@ 200 parking spaces , 72 available tenants , and cost $ 20 million to construct . Due to Minnesota 's harsh climate in the winter , Gruen constructed the center with a roof and air @-@ conditioning system capable of maintaining a comfortable temperature of 75 ° F ( 24 ° C ) year round . The mall was originally anchored by Dayton 's , Donaldson 's , Walgreens , and Woolworth , the former of which also developed the center . Over 40 @,@ 000 visitors attended the grand opening ceremony for the center on the morning of October 8 , 1956 . An additional 188 @,@ 000 customers visited the mall throughout the following week . 
