Wednesday, September 11, 2019

These photos of abandoned malls and golf courses reveal a new era for the American suburb

the 700000 square foot mall had the capacity to host four anchor stores and 100 smaller shops
Inside Chicago's shuttered Lincoln Mall.
 Seph Lawless
  • The American suburb has gone through some huge changes in the past few decades.
  • Malls, once a place for suburbanites to spend their downtime, have suffered in what has been dubbed the retail apocalypse, and many have shut down.
  • Suburban real estate and golf courses have also evolved in recent years.

In March 2017, Business Insider reported a series of stories on "The Death of Suburbia," declaring the end of the suburbs as we once knew them.
By examining the plummeting value of McMansions, the increasingly blurry line between city and suburb, and the shuttered shopping malls across the US, we saw that the once flourishing suburbs were no longer what they used to be.
Ahead, see a collection of photos from Seph Lawless and Business Insider reporters, showing the relics of America's suburban past. Some of these structures are now abandoned while millennials move forward with alternative ways of living.

It's been a rough couple of years for the retail industry, and malls are shutting down across the US. Chicago's Lincoln Mall, pictured here, shut its doors in January 2015.

It's been a rough couple of years for the retail industry, and malls are shutting down across the US. Chicago's Lincoln Mall, pictured here, shut its doors in January 2015.Seph Lawless

It had originally opened in 1973.

It had originally opened in 1973.Seph Lawless

The 700,000-square-foot mall had the capacity to host four anchor stores and 100 smaller shops.

The 700,000-square-foot mall had the capacity to host four anchor stores and 100 smaller shops.Seph Lawless

Closer to its final months, the mall had just 40 storefronts in business.

Closer to its final months, the mall had just 40 storefronts in business.Seph Lawless

In 2013, the mall's owner told the Chicago Tribune that the property was losing $2 million a year.

In 2013, the mall's owner told the Chicago Tribune that the property was losing $2 million a year.Seph Lawless

The closing of the mall's Sears was a major blow to its business.

The closing of the mall's Sears was a major blow to its business.Seph Lawless

The same year, a court-ordered receiver was appointed to force the location to pay taxes and fines as well as make necessary repairs.

The same year, a court-ordered receiver was appointed to force the location to pay taxes and fines as well as make necessary repairs.Seph Lawless

The mall's tenants did not generate enough in rent to pay for the improvements or repairs, according to an attorney for the owner.

The mall's tenants did not generate enough in rent to pay for the improvements or repairs, according to an attorney for the owner.Seph Lawless

The mall reportedly failed to make these changes, which included creating new exits to comply with fire codes and replacing electrical and air-conditioning systems.

The mall reportedly failed to make these changes, which included creating new exits to comply with fire codes and replacing electrical and air-conditioning systems.Seph Lawless

In November 2014, a Cook County judge ordered the closing of the mall following the holiday shopping season.

In November 2014, a Cook County judge ordered the closing of the mall following the holiday shopping season.Seph Lawless

For nearly two years, the mall sat empty.

For nearly two years, the mall sat empty.Seph Lawless

Its shops' signage stayed intact, however.

Its shops' signage stayed intact, however.Seph Lawless

Some banners also remained hanging.

Some banners also remained hanging.Seph Lawless

Demolition began on the property in May 2017.

Demolition began on the property in May 2017.Seph Lawless

The Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio, had a similar fate.

The Rolling Acres Mall in Akron, Ohio, had a similar fate.Seph Lawless
Source: Ohio.com

This mall originally opened in 1975.

This mall originally opened in 1975.Seph Lawless

With JCPenney as one of this mall's anchor stores, the mall's parking lot was packed with visitors in the early 1980s.

With JCPenney as one of this mall's anchor stores, the mall's parking lot was packed with visitors in the early 1980s.Seph Lawless
Source: Ohio.com

It officially closed in 2008.

It officially closed in 2008.Seph Lawless

Demolition of the mall began in 2016.

Demolition of the mall began in 2016.Seph Lawless
Source: Ohio.com

The Metro North Shopping Center in Kansas City, Missouri, has also shuttered.

The Metro North Shopping Center in Kansas City, Missouri, has also shuttered.Seph Lawless

This mall opened in 1976.

This mall opened in 1976.Seph Lawless

The mall was massive. Sitting at 1.2 million square feet, it once housed more than 150 retailers.

The mall was massive. Sitting at 1.2 million square feet, it once housed more than 150 retailers.Seph Lawless

The mall officially closed in 2014.

The mall officially closed in 2014.Seph Lawless

Originally, a $200 million makeover was in the works, but the developers ditched the plan in 2015, citing difficulties attracting tenants.

Originally, a $200 million makeover was in the works, but the developers ditched the plan in 2015, citing difficulties attracting tenants.Seph Lawless

Even some malls that are still open for business look like ghost towns. Here's the Regency Square Mall in Richmond, Virginia, in March 2017, for example.

Even some malls that are still open for business look like ghost towns. Here's the Regency Square Mall in Richmond, Virginia, in March 2017, for example.Hayley Peterson/Business Insider

Empty storefronts lined the halls.

Empty storefronts lined the halls.Hayley Peterson/Business Insider
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