Editing Mall of America (section)

==Architecture==
[[File:Mall of America Aerial.jpg|thumb|Mall of America aerial view from west in 2025]]
[[File:Schriftzug moa.jpg|right|thumb|Sign at a Mall of America entrance, removed in 2014 as part of the Phase II expansion]]
[[File:Mall of America interior three-level corridor.jpg|right|thumb|The Mall of America has three levels on its western side, pictured above.]]
The Mall of America has a gross area of {{convert|5600000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} or {{convert|129|acre|ha}},<ref name=facts/> and {{convert|2869000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} of retail space.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodall |first=Candy |date=2018-02-03 |title=This Philly-area mall, not Mall of America, is actually the largest mall in America |url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/02/this_philly-area_mall_not_mall.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mall Of America |url=https://mallofamerica.com/sites/default/files/2023-01/2022_SpecialtyLeasingBrochure%20MOA_2022_4-4_r1_200dpi.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216160930/https://mallofamerica.com/sites/default/files/2023-01/2022_SpecialtyLeasingBrochure%20MOA_2022_4-4_r1_200dpi.pdf |archive-date=2023-02-16 |url-status=live |access-date=December 22, 2023 |website=mallofamerica.com}}</ref> The mall is nearly [[symmetry|symmetric]], with a roughly rectangular [[floor plan]]. More than 500 stores are arranged along three levels of pedestrian walkways on the sides of the rectangle, with a 4th level on the south and east sides. Four anchor [[department store]]s are located at the corners. The mall is organized into four different zones. Each of those zones had its own decorative style until a series of renovations from 2010 to 2015 led to a unified and more luxurious style, as well as to coincide with the mall's first major expansion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mall of America' giant makeover ditches 90's in bid to stay hip.|url=http://www.startribune.com/mall-of-america-s-giant-makeover-ditches-90s-in-bid-to-stay-hip/266892831/|work=Star Tribune|date=July 25, 2014 |access-date=December 5, 2016}}</ref> The mall's food court is on the 3rd floor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/food-hall-or-food-mall/|author=March, Stephanie|title=What's the Difference Between a Food Hall and a Food Mall?|magazine=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine|date=December 26, 2018|access-date=July 20, 2020|archive-date=December 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227133325/http://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/food-hall-or-food-mall/}}</ref>

Despite Minnesota's cold winters, only the mall's entrances and some below ground areas are heated. Heat is allowed in through [[Skylight (window)|skylights]] above the central amusement park area. The majority of the heat is produced by lighting fixtures, other electric devices and people in the mall.<ref name="VOA">{{cite web| url= http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-10/2006-10-10-voa42.cfm?CFID=210482910&CFTOKEN=86992807| archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061114141623/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-10/2006-10-10-voa42.cfm?CFID=429416&CFTOKEN=23614443| url-status= dead| archive-date= November 14, 2006| title= America's Largest Mall Offers More than Shopping| first= Faiza| last= Elmasry| publisher= Voice of America| date= October 10, 2006}}</ref> In fact, even during the winter, [[air conditioning]] systems may still be in use during peak hours to ensure a comfortable shopping environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chicagoweekly.net/2007/11/29/road-trip-to-the-mall-of-america/ |work=[[Chicago Weekly]] |title=Road Trip to the Mall of America |first=Rose |last=Schapiro |date=November 29, 2007 |access-date=December 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122173106/http://chicagoweekly.net/2007/11/29/road-trip-to-the-mall-of-america/ |archive-date=November 22, 2010 }}</ref> Although the common areas are unheated, the individual stores do have heating systems.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://wcco.com/consumer/heating.costs.cold.2.638318.html| title= Heating Costs| author= WCCO – TV| date= January 25, 2008| url-status= dead| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100121032416/http://wcco.com/consumer/heating.costs.cold.2.638318.html| archive-date= January 21, 2010}}</ref>

Two nearly identical seven-story [[parking ramp]]s 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 and 1,407 spaces are provided by [[IKEA]], which opened in July 2004.