The Death Of The American Mall (But Not Suburban Shopping)

Enclosed Malls Are Fast Becoming Relics, But New Generation Centers Just Look Different The mall is a beloved and reviled American artifact, and if current trends continue that's exactly what it will be: An artifact. The enclosed mall, as a drive-up full-service shopping super center, is a symbol of suburbia -- of teenage time-wasting, over consumption and parking paranoia. It is the symbol of decaying main streets, urban exodus and the paving of the American landscape. Many of the nation's 2,000 malls are dead or dying. Only three have been built since 2005. And no plans are on the drawing board for more. Of course, suburban sprawl and its favored shopping patterns are, if anything, increasing as a decade of rampant real estate development ensures. So the icon of the next generation could well be a mall, it will just be an outdoor, pedestrian-friendly expanse that feels like a main street, but isn't. Related Stories Prius Envy Obesity Epidemic In American Cars Is Your Home Too Big For Its Own Good? Death To The SUV? When A 2,866-Square Foot Home Is Just Way, Way Too Small Despite Cool Housing Market, Construction Booms