Why Do All Malls Look the Same? 

Great video! Victor Gruen actually originally envisioned the mall to be more mixed use - including amenities like offices, childcare centers, doctor's clinics and libraries. He wanted the mall to be more of a community hub that is pedestrian friendly with greenery and public art. Gruen eventually came to despise how poorly his vision was implemented by developers and actually became one of the biggest critics of the American shopping mall. Interestingly - in the last couple of decades a new type of mall has emerged. They're called "Lifestyle Centers" - which is essentially the realization of Gruen's dream - mixed use shopping centers hosting amenities beyond retail - making them more like community centers. I worked as a retail store designer for six years and have definitely seen some very successful implementations of these lifestyle centers. The spread of them have also helped to reinvigorate the retail industry as a whole.

Hey, can we start buying dead malls and turning them into apartments or homeless shelters or communal housing or college housing? I think that’d be better than letting them sit empty or get demolished, renovate the hell out of them and start getting people’s rent money or something

Most videos talking about the history of malls fail to mention that Southdale Center in Edina Minnesota is still a flourishing mall, despite being only 6 miles away from The Mall of America (the largest mall in the US).

Dan Bell & Retail Archaeology are the greatest archivists of dying and dead malls. Go visit them!

I have a Masters in Urban Planning so I take strip-mallification for granted as a central issue, but it’s great to see the topic getting broader coverage. If the next generation is literate in urban planning issues and its basic history, the sky’s the limit. We can remake these lousy areas.

the downside of everything moving online is that if someone ends up in a situation where they can not access the net then they are ruined. And this is far easier than you might think. Court orders can restrict or prohibit net access, and poverty can mean that a person will be unable to afford a device that can access the net.

Great content. i can't get enough of these educational videos. Your presentation, voice and the content are awesome. More of the same.

I love your voice, you make these videos even better

5:40 - The ASHphalt?

Brigham Young is not known as the founder of Mormonism because that was Joseph Smith. Although he isn't known for his fashion sense he did try his hand at being a fashion designer. Google "Deseret Costume" to see his design. (That's Deseret, not Dessert or Desert) Brigham suggested that women should wear a more practical ensamble of trousers under a shorter skirt and waistcoat, and even gave sermons on how he hated seeing women's long skirts drag along the floor. The women, however, were more loyal to Victorian fashion than to their religious leader and most rejected his clothing suggestions saying it was too masculine.

growing up I wasn't allowed to go to the mall. my parents often pointed out to me the mall cost too much money and they would not waste their time and gas money driving me there either . Now that I'm an adult I still cannot afford anything sold at the mall not even a pretzel.

I love Buenos Aires malls because most of them are located in the middle of the city, integrated to it instead of standing out. That brings diversity to the architecture, since the majority of them are recicled old buildings that were revamped but kept the vibe.

I have a zombie mall by me. It is mostly dead with most stores closed and the place being fairly dark. But a handful of stores are still open and fully operational, eeking it out in the corpse of this mall. I mainly only go because it has this cool arcade.

The first indoor shopping mall was built in 1828 in Providence, RI. It's 3 stories high and has a skylit roof.

I miss indoor malls. I still love going to Fashion Square and large malls like Mall of America. Even large malls in other countries like Australia’s Chadstone which...looks like America’s malls.

The mall in the town that I grew up in did not have a food court. There were many stores in it, one arcade but no food court. I didn't know that was thing until I moved to Nebraska in 2002. I had been to other malls while I was growing up that had food courts in them, but I thought that only big city malls had food courts.

I don't know how it's doing now but Chicagoland had a strip mall mall, like indoor mall stores outside with parking lots. Actually now that I think about it those are popping up more but like with tree lined walking areas.

My nearby mall doesn't have a fountain anymore. After a plane crashed into it, the fountain was taken out - all before I was born.

What does English sound like to non English speakers

9:28 I GOT BUSY AND MISSED THIS VIDEO UNTIL NOW OMG

I tried watching this, but I fell into a trance. Those arms were waving so much, I was hypnotized. I thought I was a suburban teen until someone snapped their fingers.

If you miss this kind of malls, you can always go to the Philippines where mall culture is still alive

I'd rather be at the mall where I can feel the product and see if I like it or not, without having to mail it back.

"🎵...Internet killed the shopping-mall star...🎵"

Wa wa wa wa. Big box retailers have staff looking for areas that meet their requirements. Often it’s population, locations close to highways and sometimes the reasons are petty or odd. Ie retail wars- Lowe’s will always build close to a Home Depot. Some retail stores will always take a space in the same center as others- PetSmart is always near Lowe’s, Michael’s is always near Petsmart. Applebee’s will also be within a mile or two of these businesses. Big box retailers have their spaces down to a science. Petco looks for rectangular spaces at 13,500 sq ft, Bed Bath Beyond look for spaces at approximately 30,000 sq ft. They all have a prototype that fits into that rectangular space that can quickly be plugged in. The owners of the shopping centers are fully aware that retailers can jump from one strip mall to another if at the end of the lease the terms change or if they can get a better deal someplace else. The developer will create a Place that is not so unique that should the tenant move they would be stuck with an unusable space. They develop rectangular spaces and try to hook major retailers during Planning and if that fails they design the stores to be modular and capable of changing easily. The beige color scheme is a neutral color that can typically accommodate any tenant. Typically the more ornate the outside of the structure depends on two factors- 1) How much the developer wants to spend on the facades or 2) how much oversight the local municipality has in the development process. There are responsible towns they recognize some developers will drop strip malls in locations, have them fail and move on. So some towns have very strict planning and zoning they require approval throughout the design process. Long story short the entire process is driven by money and everyone involved have it all down to a science.

AWWWWW, I THOUGHT IT SAID 'WHY DO ALL MALES LOOK THE SAME? " i laughed so hard and clicked, but I miss read malls D: Oh well, I love your work. Youre always fun to watch !

Personally, I freaking hate indoor malls and they can't die soon enough. They were bad enough before but now they've put tvs into them and I just don't know how much more bourgeois they can get.

Tallulah Louisiana had the first outdoor mall in the country...fun fact

Mall designers seem to be behind the curve now as more American malls are losing their popularity and practical use. Malls should now be closer to the sidewalk, smaller and have quality merchants over quantity...

Strip malls are making a comeback though. Yes, internet is to blame for declining sales, so we're distances between other malls, but malls are also being bulldozed and replaced with strip malls. More and more are being built where I live. I call them strip malls, but many others call them outdoor shopping centers. They are a lot fancier looking, also offer some sort of fountain, only difference is that parking is a major PITA. We're talking limited parallel or even regular spots. Depending on who the developer and local ordinances are, every restaurant may be required to have 4 handicapped spots. With reserved Togo spots, there is nothing available for regular patrons. This makes regular stores a competing ground for what few spots they had. But there is still plenty of parking out back, super insanely far away. But the real issue is that I live in TX. It rains. It snows. It hails. It can be 20 degrees. But for the majority of the time, it's 90-115 degrees, not factoring the heat index. ...and you're outdoors. You have to walk significantly farther, AND in harsh conditions. You aren't going to walk the entire center like you would a mall, or even "hang out." Then there's safety. In a mall, you may cross the hall and go to a different store. In these outdoor shopping center strip malls you are jaywalking. Speed limits are slow, and there are stop signs, but on top of all the usual distractions drivers in the modern age have, now they're busy looking for a parking spot, or looking at store signage. And we all put up with it because it's closer, or because if a mall failed, placing a fancy upscale strip mall in its spot will somehow succeed.

Personally, I don't think all american malls look the same. They each have their own architectural designs which makes them stand out.

Why are Nicholson houses usually haunted? Please make a video of that.

Footnote addition, Brigham Young was not the founder of the ‘Mormon Church’ (Our Church is now trying to use the actual name of our church rather than the ‘morman’ nickname, our church is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) Joseph Smith founded The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brigham Young became our prophet and leader after Joseph Smith was killed at Carthage, IL. Lovely education video though 😊

before shopping at the mall, people shopped online. and before that, well, there was no before that.

Malls can still survive when they are more diverse & include more than just fast food, theaters, clothing brands, jewelry or electronics. When they have video game stores, convenience stores, dentists, barbers/haircuts, groceries, dollar stores, hell, I'll even say it: Porn shops, they can still attract customers. Yes, SOME aspects of malls will die out like clothing stores (Randy River), music stores (HMV), arcades due to smart phones, computers & home consoles, or movie theaters because people just stream films these days, but they will always have some sort of attraction to the casual shopper who just want convenience.

The mall will be a place to go away from our computers. It will be an experience rather than just spend on luxuries.

Please tell us when and why people started entertaining us through movies instead of written books.

This might go unnoticed but the pics from 0:31 and 0:32 are acutaly malls in Romania and they look nothing like American Strip Malls. :)))

Good video overall. Some seriously incomplete information though. The fact that all malls follow a very similar design plan has a lot to do with human nature: The comfort of familiarity being one. Weather we admit it or not, we're drawn to things that are familiar. Another being that the widely spaced anchor stores with specialtly shops in between is a surefire marketing strategy for increasing sales. Basically by overloading willpower with a world of possibilities. The small impulse-buy items on racks near every cash register is an example. Given that humans have not changed in any profound ways in the last century, once a formula that works is discovered, you can expect that not to change much either. And what's with the weird segue about white flight? Abundant, cheap fuel and the appeal of affordable personal space in low-density areas play no small part in suburban sprawl. Americans historically wanted to be away from others given the choice (Many, myself included, still do. 'Cause more neighbors = more problems) The racist parts are not excuseable, but the drive toward suburbanism came from much deeper than simply "Get away from the poors"

This channel is like a tackier version of 99% Invisible

What about outdoor malls? Not strip malls, these are nicer like indoor malls but they're outdoors.

Fun fact: Brigham young was also the first governor of utah

im calling it before watching, it's pomo

You got a good voice.

Robin Sparkles would love this

I guess the same reason all box sores loo alike.

Stop yelling at me D:

I thought the narrator was Lauren Southern before they showed her on screen. They sound the same!

Where is the fire?

I have never gone to a mall just to hang out. What is wrong with Americans? Can you people just not go 5 minutes without the opportunity to spend money you don’t have on shit you don’t need?

Murica: land of mass produced everything, including malls. They're so tacky tho! They cheapen the look of anywhere they get placed!

The title says malls but the video is strip malls.

Not all over place may be only in us mall are same

Do a video on the origin of the concept of cuss words. Like where the idea that some words are inappropriate to say in public or in polite company.

"Unlike strip malls, I've never been one to disappoint" omg who wrote that lmao

Kind of a footnote, but Brigham Young was not the founder of Mormonism. That would be Joseph Smith, who was then succeeded by Brigham Young, although there was a bit of a schism, so Brigham Young could be said to have founded the particular branch of Mormonism that most people are referring to when they talk about the Mormon Church.

I just wanted to mention that from what I have seen in Mexico, Panama, Spain, France, and Chile most malls look kind of the same

I'm amazed at this lady's gift of articulation. I have watched several of her youtube videos. She is incredible! Watch her eyes. She is not reading her lines from a cue card. She really ought to be on TV. Like on "The View".

You have a good speaking voice. It's very refreshing see history videos with someone that has a lively voice instead of the dry eye for Clear Eye Guy

Brigham Young Was not the founding prophet of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. Joseph Smith was. Please make sure you do your research even for jokes. People view you as a reputable source Thank you for your video

Slow down and BREATHE!

Wow I just checked the credits and you wrote AND hosted this and I checked a couple others and you wrote and hosted those too so I can only assume it's all of them. That's so impressive to do both!!!

I have a suggestion for a video. I'm an atheist and I keep hearing the bible has only recently started being taken literally and fundamentalism is relatively new yet the Dark Ages is nothing but biblical literalism. So when did biblical literalism hit mainstream America? I dont want to start controversy Iam justba seventeen year ild witha love for history. PLEASE HELP!!! Love you hun

Brigham Young didn’t found Mormonism, that was Joseph Smith. Young was the 2nd president of the church after Smith was killed by a mob. And by the way Zion in this case is pronounced ZI.in not ZI.on.

Can we just talk about how fabulous the video host is 😎😎😎

You don't see strip malls on tree-lined residential streets because of zoning, but it's common to turn off a heavily strip-malled main drag onto a side street that quickly becomes residential. Frequently there'll be a "NO TRUCKS" sign just beyond the strip mall's loading docks, sometimes level with its' property line fence. And of course the strip mall's back is resolutely turned on "its' neigborhood". Seen it everywhere from Vermont to Vegas.

Brigham Young was a Pioneer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. not a Founder of "Mormonism"

You never bring up the fact that the owners of the large malls are charging INCREDIBLY astronomical rents. It comes down to when expenses exceed profits and finally the stores can't handle the monthly rent. I know of someone who had a mall food court restaurant who ended up with a $25,000 a month rent. You have to sell and awful lots of gyros and souvlaki on top of food expense, electricity, water, and wages.

Your videos are amazing I love history and this channel I would love to see a video about the tawaifs (courtesans of India) and how many dancers had to become courtesans becoz of the anti dance movement in India that the Christian missionaries started

I didn't hang out with friends at the mall, and was born late enough to miss the rhinestone fad. So, no photos. I do have thoughts on how malls could survive, though! Whenever two types of goods or services compete, each will need to find a niche or disappear. When horse-drawn carriages no longer had economic advantages over cars, they needed to find a new niche, capitalizing on things horses can do that cars can't. Malls need to do the same. They need to find something they do better than Amazon, something you can't get online, and focus on that. I'd suggest focusing on "the experience". Shopping at a mall with friends will never be as convenient a way to buy stuff as going to Amazon, but it can be a better social experience.

Fascinating, thanks. By the way, I like the way you cite your references so easily and naturally.

in Canada we have a lot of indoor/outdoor malls.. their are shops inside but they're are also doors that you can access from outside

Brigham young didn't "found mormonism" . He was an early LDS prophet, but the first one in the 1800's was Joseph Smith

Thumbs up if you live in Minnesota and have been the the Southdale Center!

What's the origin of the blue and purple design on old disposable cups? It seems like it's everywhere.

Just so you know, Brigham young wasn't the founder of Mormonisum. He was the second prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Mormon can refer to off shoot groups that practice polygamy.

Anybody else hear the line "Did the internet kill the shopping mall store?" to the tone of "Video Killed the Radio Star"? (Was that intentional? It totally scans!) No? Just me? Okay I'll go nerd off to the corner then. :P Edit: As a Utahn, I feel really surprised that I hadn't heard about Brigham Young starting one of the earliest department stores, before. Huh.

I think “arcades” or “galleries” are the early malls. And I put quotations because I’m not referring to modern common usage of these words.

It’s so funny to me that most millennials have a story about ‘the mall’ being the first place they were allowed to roam alone as a pre teen. I had to meet my mom back at the fountain on the hour or risk punishment. New video topic “How cell phones killed the fountain meet up” LOL

Scandinavian malls are actually super intimidating compared to American malls, we have no 'square'/'courtyard' and everyone moves in a single file line and walks on the right, like in traffic. Also, strip malls don't exist and most of our best malls are in the middle of our city centres with underground parking. Just found it a bit funny. Also, people can and will scream at you if you are too slow of a walker. SINGLE FILE LINE.

Wow!! Truly fascinating!! I never knew this but often wondered about it.

I have been to 3 malls and they look nothing the same inside but know i think about it the outside usually looks the same on most of them in my area.

Who is the guy narrating ? It’s Ma’am!

I LOVE your presentation!!!

Calling brigham young the founder of mormonism is like calling paul the founder of christianity. 😂

Omg your radio star joke at the beginning killed me! 😂😂😂😂

I miss indoor shopping malls. We only have an outdoor mall where I live and I hate going there in the rain.

I just love the Netherlands! it's like an upgraded version of what the US could kinda look and be like, they too have their share of homely/unalluring office parks and shopping centers but they're few and far between and never really feel overwhelming, and the hallmarks of the Dutch country side (e.g. windmills, trees, polders, canals, bike paths) are close giving them a little quaint touch. On the other hand! Strip malls seem to be EVERYWHERE! Every time I go out to run errands I feel as if someone just dumped itching powder on my nerves! 🥵😬☹️

The fact that malls are all the same is part of the reason they are failing. They simply fail to provide an interesting shopping experience, which makes everyone use the internet or walmart/target. Simon is terrible and grayscaling everything and removing any sort of uniqueness or quirk, and actively favoring has-been mega chains instead of regional experiences.

An important point was missed, elaborating on the importance of the department store "anchor". Malls were generally built around at least two anchors- typically Sears, Roebuck & Co, and JCPenney. Sears in particular founded and owned a mall development company. Sears at it's hight 3500 stores, in malls all developed by the same company. That's a lot of standardization

Malls in the Philippines look diffierent from each other.

Yo... we got 3 dead malls where I live. The food courts have 1 or 2 shops, pizza and Chinese All the big stores are gone. No kiosks in the middle. Just like random perfume stores, metro pcs and sprint and that skincare from the Dead Sea shit....

Everyone says Amazon killed the shopping mall. But every mall I have ever visited is mostly clothes and shoes, and mostly catering to women (who seem to get more excited by such things). And who do you know that buys dresses and shoes online, without trying them on? Amazon killed Best Buy, but the Mall?

The presentation is very interesting but some details seem to be incorrect. I recall the existence of malls in ancient Rome. More recent examples follow. GUM is a mall in Moscow that dates to the 19th century. The Northland mall in Detroit opened in 1954 earlier than Edina mall mentioned here. The David Whitney Building also in Detroit contains a small mall, The building was opened in1915.

Malls were invented inside because Minnesota is freezing cold. Inside Malls only make sense. Then they made Mall of America, ridiculously too big with several of the same stores. Pure tourist attraction. Live in MN and rarely go. Small malls better. Messed up how racism is a part of everything. Great Video - The Narrator is a great story teller.

in my country.. malls are our park... since its hot in here and malls have AC. malls here are bigger and grand and most of them have everything.. supermarket, department store, spa, cinema, food court, school supplies store, playground, arcade and more! some even have a church, bowling alley and ice skating rink.

It's funny because where I live malls basically don't exist at all, there are shopping centers but they're way denser and don't have nearly as much parking. Hearing about them is always weird.

response to something said around 8:04, "...Now if they would only spring up like _houses_." -- from a "George of the Jungle" episode

In colder climates malls make sense, they die, in pert, because they charge an arm and a leg to rent space and, on top of that, some retailers pull out of a location if they aren’t making ever more profits, regardless of the economic conditions in a location. Champlain NY once had a really nice factory outlet mall, but the Quebec economy crashed so it was bye bye factory outlets. Ps I HATE the term strip mall, why not call them plazas?

Malls don't all look the same. I've only been to three different malls but one of them does actually look completely different from the other two. Two do look very similar with just a single straight walk way connecting all the stores. However the third mall has a curved walk way connecting all the stores in a circle rather than a straight line. Even the similar ones aren't exactly the same because one is almost an entirely glass building while the other almost looks like a castle from the outside till you get inside and realize it's just a mall. Then there's the fact that they can have different stores and even stores that are in multiple malls can be in different locations within those malls. Even on entirely different floors. The Disney Store which seems to be in every mall I've been to is on the first or second floor either directly across above, or below build a bear depending on which mall you're in.