Architect Victor Gruen
Victor Gruen is the architect who designed Southdale Mall. Gruen was born in Vienna, Austria in 1903 where he got his education in architecture. He designed Southdale from his childhood memories in Vienna. He remembered sidewalk cafes, benches and shops that were part of a community gathering space.
Gruen strongly disliked the suburbs. He thought shopping malls would contain suburban sprawl. Gruen thought Southdale would provide a community center with not only shopping but entertainment and socializing. Because of Gruen's unique ideas he may have well been the most influential architect of the 20th century because he invented the mall.
Gruen strongly disliked the suburbs. He thought shopping malls would contain suburban sprawl. Gruen thought Southdale would provide a community center with not only shopping but entertainment and socializing. Because of Gruen's unique ideas he may have well been the most influential architect of the 20th century because he invented the mall.