The United States is home to an estimated 1,150 malls; some sources project that by 2032, there may be as few as 150 malls still in operation. Projections indicate that up to 87% of large shopping malls may close over 10 years.

Take a look at some of these surreal photographs from abandoned shopping malls across the country. Be sure to check out the Dead Malls Enthusiasts Facebook group for more info on where these dead malls in America are located. This map shows where the nation's abandoned malls can be found.

According to a 2023 Jones Lang LaSalle report, mall vacancies are at their highest levels in the past 15 years, exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the proliferation of online shopping, and closures and bankruptcies among popular mall retailers and major department stores that have historically anchored the destinations.

North American malls that have permanently closed citing the pandemic as a precipitating factor include Northgate Mall in Durham, North Carolina, Cascade Mall in Burlington, Washington, and the Metrocenter in Phoenix, Arizona. Dead malls are occasionally redeveloped.

E-commerce has permanently changed the way consumers shop, and shopping malls are not what they once were. But there is still hope for mall-based and brick-and-mortar retailers. By merging the benefits of online and in-store shopping, you can create a unique experience your customers won’t forget.