Where Do Shopping Malls Go When They Die?

Posted by

Back in the 90's, we had Mallrats

Back in the 90's, we had Mallrats

This is an interesting topic, albeit a morbid one.  Shopping malls are an American institution, like Baseball or Five Dollar Footlongs.

The question of what you can do with the physical space once a mall closes is suddenly apropos, as the retail picture grows more grim with each passing day.  Ever since the first modern, indoor shopping mall was built in Minnesota by architect Victor Gruen, they’ve been churning out these monstrosities like there was no tomorrow.  Well tomorrow has arrived and the malls are as empty as Ashley Simpson‘s head.

The New York Times consulted 5 experts on shopping malls, including one guy named Peter Blackbird who runs a site called deadmalls.com (yes, apparently there is now a website for everything).  The suggestions range from the absurd (spaces for nonprofit arts groups) to the practical (community colleges).

Anyway, worth checking out if this sort of economy-meets-anthropology thing is your cup of tea.

Full Story:  101 Uses for a Deserted Mall (NYT)

Tags:

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. The Scrub commented on Apr 05

    I live in Toledo, OH and we have a huge one just down the street from me (Southwyck). It is depressing to drive by because it is just a huge waste of space.

    Occasionally the local news would run a story about the old people that go there for a walk or the college students that go there to study. It is just spooky because they still had everything turned on, like the water fountains, lights, muzak, etc. They have finally started tearing it down, though.

  2. The Scrub commented on Apr 05

    I live in Toledo, OH and we have a huge one just down the street from me (Southwyck). It is depressing to drive by because it is just a huge waste of space.

    Occasionally the local news would run a story about the old people that go there for a walk or the college students that go there to study. It is just spooky because they still had everything turned on, like the water fountains, lights, muzak, etc. They have finally started tearing it down, though.

  3. The Scrub commented on Apr 05

    I live in Toledo, OH and we have a huge one just down the street from me (Southwyck). It is depressing to drive by because it is just a huge waste of space.

    Occasionally the local news would run a story about the old people that go there for a walk or the college students that go there to study. It is just spooky because they still had everything turned on, like the water fountains, lights, muzak, etc. They have finally started tearing it down, though.

  4. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    This is easy, you turn them all into roller derby rinks.

    -DT

  5. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    This is easy, you turn them all into roller derby rinks.

    -DT

  6. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    This is easy, you turn them all into roller derby rinks.

    -DT

  7. Joshua M Brown commented on Apr 06

    i like it!

    i was thinking paintball courses or movie sets for zombie movies

  8. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    Indeed, a zombie roller derby movie set inside a “dead mall” should be made.

    Let’s produce this! The market is becoming a tough place to make a living. People hate us for working here… wait, the roller derby zombies can eat stock brokers and traders!!!

    We have a cult classic in the making here…

    -DT

  9. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    Indeed, a zombie roller derby movie set inside a “dead mall” should be made.

    Let’s produce this! The market is becoming a tough place to make a living. People hate us for working here… wait, the roller derby zombies can eat stock brokers and traders!!!

    We have a cult classic in the making here…

    -DT

  10. Dinosaur Trader commented on Apr 06

    Indeed, a zombie roller derby movie set inside a “dead mall” should be made.

    Let’s produce this! The market is becoming a tough place to make a living. People hate us for working here… wait, the roller derby zombies can eat stock brokers and traders!!!

    We have a cult classic in the making here…

    -DT

  11. tutor commented on Sep 20

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2009/04/05/where-do-shopping-malls-go-when-they-die/ […]

  12. ISOfrane commented on Sep 21

    … [Trackback]

    […] There you will find 95555 more Information on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2009/04/05/where-do-shopping-malls-go-when-they-die/ […]

  13. Omicron optics commented on Oct 14

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More on on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2009/04/05/where-do-shopping-malls-go-when-they-die/ […]

  14. 뉴토끼 commented on Nov 16

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2009/04/05/where-do-shopping-malls-go-when-they-die/ […]

  15. Microsoft azure DevOps commented on Nov 23

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More on on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2009/04/05/where-do-shopping-malls-go-when-they-die/ […]

HowIInvestMyMoney