Minnesota Mall Awards?

by Erica Mauter • I cannot believe that the Minnesota Shopping Center Association exists, much less that it hands out Shopping Center Tribute Awards for Retail Real Estate

You know how I know this is bullshit?

Exhibit #1: The ridiculous premise.

It’s like the Oscars or Grammys — for shopping malls.

Exhibit #2: The Winners

The design and aesthetics award for a freestanding single user over 50,000 square feet went to the SuperTarget at Southdale in Edina. Minneapolis-based Target Corp. is the owner, developer and architect for the project, with Ryan Cos. US Inc. is the contractor.

I’ve been in there. It looks like a Target store.

The renovation/remodel award for exterior retail over 50,000 square feet went to Prairieview Center in Eden Prairie. The owner is Prairieview Retail, the developer is United Properties, the architect is Shea Inc. and the contractor is RJM Construction.

Here’s the after picture.

Prairieview Center

Originally uploaded by swirlspice.

After! Okay, the Rainbow really is a lot nicer inside. Other than that, the rest of the shopping center got a new awning. That’s it.

Lame.