Due to its size and popularity, the Mall of America has been featured on numerous television shows and many celebrities have visited the mall over the years. Networks like the [[Discovery Channel]] and [[Travel Channel]] air shows about the mall and its history.
Due to its size and popularity, the Mall of America has been featured on numerous television shows and many celebrities have visited the mall over the years. Networks like the [[Discovery Channel]] and [[Travel Channel]] air shows about the mall and its history.
From September 4, 1995, the Mall became a venue for live television for the first time. Time Warner-owned professional wrestling company [[World Championship Wrestling]] came into the building to set up for the inaugural edition of [[WCW Monday Nitro]] - which also saw the WCW debut of [[Lex Luger]]. This debut broadcast on [[Turner Network Television]], along with later editions broadcast from the Mall, would become a signature of WCW's competition with [[World Wrestling Entertainment|the World Wrestling Federation]].
From September 4, 1995, the Mall became a venue for live television for the first time. Time Warner-owned professional wrestling company [[World Championship Wrestling]] came into the building to set up for the inaugural edition of [[WCW Monday Nitro]] - which also saw the WCW of [[Lex Luger]]. This debut broadcast on [[Turner Network Television]], along with later editions broadcast from the Mall, would become a signature of WCW's competition with [[World Wrestling Entertainment|the World Wrestling Federation]].
In 1999, [[Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen]] were taping their video, "[[You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's...|Mary-Kate and Ashley's Mall Party]]".
In 1999, [[Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen]] were taping their video, "[[You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's...|Mary-Kate and Ashley's Mall Party]]".
The Mall of America has a gross area of 4,200,000 sq ft (390,000 m2) or 96.4 acres, enough to fit seven Yankee Stadiums inside[citation needed], with 2,500,000 sq ft (230,000 m2) available as retail space.[4] The mall is nearly symmetric, with a roughly rectangular floor plan. Over 520 stores are arranged along three levels of pedestrian walkways on the sides of the rectangle, with a fourth level on the east side. Four anchor department stores are located at the corners. The mall is organized into four different zones, each with its own decorative style.
Despite Minnesota's cold winters, only the mall's entrances and some below ground areas are heated. Heat is allowed in through skylights above Nickelodeon Universe. The majority of the heat is produced by lighting fixtures, other electric devices, and people in the mall.[5] In fact, even during the winter, air conditioning systems are still in use during peak hours to ensure a comfortable shopping environment.[citation needed] Although the common areas are unheated, the individual stores do have heating systems.[6]
Two nearly identical seven story parking ramps on the east and west sides of the mall provide 12,287 parking spaces. Overflow parking north of the building provides an additional 1,200-1,500 spaces in addition to parking provided by IKEA (1,407 spaces) that is part of the planned "Phase II" expansion of the mall.
History
One escalator well
The mall's concept was designed by Triple Five Group, owned by the Ghermezian brothers of Canada, who also own the biggest shopping mall in North America, the West Edmonton Mall. The Mall of America is located on the former site of Metropolitan Stadium, where the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins played until the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome opened. The teams left Met Stadium in 1982. A plaque in the amusement park commemorates the former location of home plate. One seat from Met Stadium was placed in the Mall of America at the exact location (including elevation) it occupied in the stadium, to commemorate a 520-foot (160 m) home run hit by hall-of-famerHarmon Killebrew on June 3, 1967.
The mall opened its doors to the public August 11, 1992. Even before opening, the Mall of America had earned several nicknames, including "The Megamall" (or "The Megamess" during construction), "Sprawl of America", "Hugedale" (in reference to the four major "Dale" shopping malls within the Twin Cities, Rosedale, Southdale, Ridgedale and now-defunct (as of 2010) Brookdale) and, simply, "The Mall".
It became the second largest shopping mall in total area and largest in total store vendors in the United States when it opened, however, the mall has never been the largest in the world (at the time it opened, it was #2 globally to the West Edmonton Mall).[citation needed] The Mall of America is the most visited shopping mall in the world with more than 40 million visitors annually (or roughly eight times the population of the state of Minnesota). The mall employs over 12,000 workers.
During its run as an all-encompassing entertainment and retail venue, certain aspects - most notably bars - have come under scrutiny. A Mardi Gras themed bar, Fat Tuesdays, shut its doors in early 2000 due to indecent exposure and alcohol related offenses, for ignoring warnings from the mall and Bloomington police to not repeat incidents caught on tape the year before.[7] Following that verdict there were other problems, such as foot traffic within the Mall after the bars (all located on the fourth floor) had closed for the evening. The Hooters restaurant, Cantina #1 restaurant and the Theatres at Mall of America movie theater are the only establishments remaining on the fourth floor. Planet Hollywood, at the height of its success, was once a very popular restaurant on the fourth floor, but vacated the mall some years ago.
In 2003, after a protracted six year legal battle between Simon Property Group, the managing general partner of the property, and the Ghermezian brothers/Triple Five Group, over majority ownership of the site, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Ghermezians, effectively transferring control and planning authority of the mall back to its original conceptualizer.[8] The dispute stemmed from a 1999 purchase of Teacher's Insurance's 27.5% equity stake by Simon Properties, giving them majority ownership. The Ghermezians claimed they were never told of the deal and sued Simon, citing fiduciary responsibility.
On November 3, 2006, the Ghermezians gained full control of Mall of America, spending US$1 billion to do so.[9] The ruling cleared the way for Triple Five to begin planning on what is being called "Phase II" but this has yet to become a reality, due to the recession.
Phase II is the planned expansion for MOA, developing a large, empty parcel of land north of the mall which was the former home of the Met Center indoor arena and integrating an IKEA store built on a portion of the property in 2004. Phase II, in current form, includes a dinner theatre, ice rink, three hotels, and a waterpark; similar in design to the West Edmonton Mall. The expansion will not make MOA exceed the size of the WEM, which is itself undergoing expansion.
MOA currently estimates costs of $2.1 billion for the expansion, doubling the mall's size with a 5,200,000-square-foot (480,000 m2) extension.[10] The mall's developers have asked for $234 million in state and local subsidies, but the request was vetoed as part of a larger bill by Governor Tim Pawlenty on its first appearance in the 2006-07 session.[10] Questions have arisen among Bloomington city officials as to the fiscal ability of the Ghermezians to finish Phase II.[1]
In the meantime, MOA has signed contracts to bring in Great Wolf Resorts as the waterpark operator, as well as Bass Pro Shops and a Kimpton Hotel.[10] The expansion section would connect to the mall on all four levels, and an adjacent IKEA store via a second level bridge. There would be an NHL-sized ice rink for public & private skating. There would also be an additional parking ramp, adding 8,000 parking spaces. There would also be fine art exhibits planned in the expansion,[11] and two upscale department stores.[12] Another plan that was in the works would have seen fashions, architecture, and restaurants based after Europe.[13]
On May 18, 2008, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a bill granting the city of Bloomington the right to raise property and sales taxes to pay for the MOA expansion. The expansion was originally scheduled to begin to take place in 2007, and open in 2012, but no construction has yet to begin, due to the economic recession. There is however an expansion that will occur on the south side of the mall near Killebrew Drive, where a 500 room hotel is expected to begin construction in early 2011.
Radisson Blu Hotel
Starting construction in late summer 2011, there will be a 500 room hotel off of Killebrew Drive named the Radisson Blu Hotel at Mall of America. It should not open for the next couple of years.
Nickelodeon Universe is an indoor theme park in the center of the mall, formerly known as Knott's Camp Snoopy, Camp Snoopy, and The Park at MOA. The park features roller coasters, among numerous other rides and attractions, and is the largest indoor theme park in the United States. Unlike many indoor amusement parks, Nickelodeon Universe has a great deal of natural foliage in and about the park, and its floor has a wide variance in height - the highest ground level in the park is 15 feet (4.6 m) above the lowest. This allows for a far more naturalistic experience than would normally occur in an indoor amusement park.
The park features two new roller coasters, SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge and Avatar Airbender, and a new thrill ride called Brain Surge. The latter roller coaster bills itself as a "rather peculiar" ride. It also has a miniature golfing section called Moose Mountain. This miniature golf course features eighteen holes and a relatively fast astroturf surface.
Guests travel through a 300-foot-long (91 m) curved tunnel through 14 feet (4.3 m) of water to view over 4,500 sea creatures including sharks, turtles, stingrays, and many more.[14] SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium offers special events such as sleepovers, scuba diving, snorkeling, and birthday parties.[15][16][17][18]
Other notable attractions
14-screen movie theater (formerly operated by General Cinema and AMC Theaters, now operated by MOA itself as the "Theatres at Mall of America"[19])
The exact seat to which Minnesota Twins player Harmon Killebrew hit his longest home run at Metropolitan Stadium on June 3, 1967. The seat is painted red and bolted to a wall at its original height and position within the stadium.[20]
The home plate plaque in Nickelodeon Universe denoting the exact spot of home plate at Metropolitan Stadium The home plate plaque in Nickelodeon Universe[20]
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The mall is used as a major transportation hub in the region, with bus and light rail service linking the mall to other destinations. Regular public transit service is provided by Metro Transit and other area bus lines, and nearby Mystic Lake Casino offers free shuttles to their establishment. The primary bus/rail station for scheduled local service is in the lower level of the eastern parking ramp. There, the Hiawatha Line light rail line connects the mall to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and from there to downtown Minneapolis (another major shopping destination in the region, particularly during weekdays) and terminates at Target Field home of the Minnesota Twins (MLB baseball team). The mall is being discouraged as a park and ride facility, and overnight parking is banned to prevent passengers taking the train to the airport. Commuters are encouraged to use the nearby 28th Avenue Station's parking lot. The mall is the first stop on the Cedar Avenue Bus Rapid Transitway and the nineteenth, final stop on the Hiawatha Line.
Popular culture
Due to its size and popularity, the Mall of America has been featured on numerous television shows and many celebrities have visited the mall over the years. Networks like the Discovery Channel and Travel Channel air shows about the mall and its history.
From September 4, 1995, the Mall became a venue for live television for the first time. Time Warner-owned professional wrestling company World Championship Wrestling came into the building to set up for the inaugural edition of WCW Monday Nitro - which also saw the WCW return of Lex Luger. This debut broadcast on Turner Network Television, along with later editions broadcast from the Mall, would become a signature of WCW's competition with the World Wrestling Federation.
In 2001, the Mall of America had their own game show. GSN broadcast Mall Masters with host Chris Harrison (later known for hosting The Bachelor and The Bachelorette) which features contestants, mostly mall workers who competed for $5,000. The show was taped at the stage at the then-named Camp Snoopy park in the mall. The show ran for only one season in 2001, and was canceled on December 1.
In October 2009, the channel TLC aired Mall Cops: Mall of America which documents the events of a 100-plus team of mall security officers in the biggest mall in America. The Mall Cops help lost kids, track down shoplifters, arrest disorderly guests, and respond to a variety of medical calls. First aired as an hour-long special on October 15, 2009, the show became a half-hour series and aired twelve episodes Thursday nights from May 27-July 8, 2010.[22]
^JOSHUA FREED, AP Business Writer (March 22, 2007). "Mall of America wants biggest mall title". Associated Press. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |The Mall of America was made by Giselle Romero, Los Angelas, Ca. url= ignored (help)
^"America's Next Great Restaurant ep08: Venture in Vegas". airings.net. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
The amusement park, during its "Camp Snoopy" days.
The Metropolitan Stadium home plate marker.
The Harmon Killebrew chair.
A closer look at the Harmon Killebrew chair.
Another shot of the amusement park during the Camp Snoopy era.
The carousel at the amusement park.
The band organ, formerly at the carousel entrance.
The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant.
Another shot of Camp Snoopy from a different angle. The Kite-Eating Tree ride is shown in this picture.
When Camp Snoopy became Nickelodeon Universe in 2008, the Kite-Eating Tree was restyled and renamed Swing-Along.
The three-story American flag, which was used on July 4th, 2008.
The mall's information sign, which shows the use of "MOA".
The MPR store, emphasizing A Prairie Home Companion.
Al's Farm Toys, which is a farm-themed toy store.
A few of some of the unique sports-themed stores throughout the mall.
The legendary mural imitating Seurat; formerly near the food court.
The Lego "Imagination Center", the longest-standing Mall attraction.
The Lego Store after 2010 remodeling.
