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APACHE PLAZA: ST ANTHONY VILLAGE (MINNEAPOLIS), MN

Avian Keahi's Commentary:

Posted May 11, 2005 (user submitted)

Apache Plaza opened in 1961 as the second climate-controlled mall in Minnesota (Southdale, the nation's first mall, being of course the first). It was originally anchored by JC Penney, Montgomery Ward and Woolworth's. The huge Center Court measured more than 300 x 140 feet. It had a series of 10 striking hyperbolic roof structures that measured 65 x 71 feet each, but were only 3 inches thick. These supported the roof and below its perimeter was a continuous Mondrian-like stained glass clerestory that was meant to be an abstraction of Indian motifs. A tornado struck the mall in 1984, destroying the stained glass clerestory.

There is a "tribute" website that shows what it originally looked like: http://apacheplaza.com/apachefountain.html

The mall was demolished in 2004 and replaced with a new "Lifestyle Center."

Justin VanNingen's Commentary:

Posted May 11, 2005 (user submitted May 10, 2003)

The Apache Plaza is considered to be the 2nd oldest indoor mall in the US. However, it now stands as an all but empty shell. Herberger's is the only major store left in there, but that store always seems to have a good flow of customers. Otherwise, there is a furniture store (its supposedly "temporary" location), a Card/coin collections shop, a Post Office stand and little else. Still, people still seem to come in and do their mall walking on a regular basis: the few times I've been in there, there were more than a few people walking around. I'm told there used to be a Wards and JC Penny in there, but that's before my time in the Twin Cities.

The area around the mall is somewhat more vibrant. A Cub Foods next to the mall is always busy, as is the brand new Culvers and Walgreens. About half a mile from the mall is a strip-mall with a small movie theater. Rumors always float that a big box will arrive to save the mall -- usually Target, Wal Mart, or Home Depot are names that surface. But, if there are plans, they are moving slow.

Links:

RecentPast.org has a great site and a good article on this mall with pics
Apache Plaza tribute site

   
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