glendale shopping center was planned in 1955 by howard m. landau, along with representatives of william h. block co. and l. s. ayres, two indianapolis-based department stores which would serve as the mall's anchor stores. each department store was to be positioned at the opposite end of a mall concourse which would contain about 45 stores in total. the site chosen for the mall was along keystone avenue at 62nd street. representatives of the william h. block co. chain said that they felt that the location was suitably positioned for the city's growth at the time, and that having both department stores in the same center would offer a greater shopping variety for customers. victor gruen was the mall's architect.