In 1992, the biggest retail centre ever built in the US opened in Bloomington, Minnesota and today it celebrates its 30th anniversary.
The Ghermezian family’s indelible mark on retail real estate in America was made on the former site of Metropolitan Stadium, where both the Vikings and the Twins played their home games. One seat from that ballpark still resides inside MOA, marking the spot where the Twin’s Harmon Killebrew deposited a 520ft home run in 1967.
But it is the 520 stores and the 5.4 million square foot of floor space planted there by Triple Five Group that has since made history at the site.
“As we celebrate Mall of America’s 30th birthday, we’re also celebrating the many people, businesses and organisations who have helped make it an iconic destination,” said Jill Renslow, the Executive VP of the massive property who has been a part of it for half of its 30-year life span. “Since Day One, Mall of America has exceeded expectations, and we’re excited to continue doing just that for years to come.”
The Ghermezians introduced to America the experiential retail experience they had pioneered at Canada’s West Edmonton Mall in Canada, where they ratcheted up mall carousels a theme park and the Sea Life Caverns.
Mall of America, too, has a Sea Life Aquarium—as well as a Nickelodeon Universe theme park, a Crayola Experience, and a Flyover America flight simulator. It’s estimated that more than 1.3 billion people have visited MOA over the past three decades. Some 40 million enter its doors every year.
