Stores: Shopping Spree – Part 3

Shopping in Luleå in the northern parts of Sweden was the first indoor shopping mall in Europe. Built in 1955 and designed by the famous architect Ralph Erskine, who wanted to create a mall for people to enjoy and socialize – even with the cold winter climate of northern Sweden. Apparently he got the idea while visiting a outdoor shopping mall in Canada, during the winter.

Shopping had a very modern and futuristic look, often referred to as “Nybrutalism“. Raw, naked concrete pillars, walkways, and catwalks connecting the different levels created this rather characteristic look. At the top of the complex were a car exhibition, a symbol of the promising 1950s. The cars were lifted to the top using lifts from the outside.

The mall was instantly a hit, with soon to be bond-girl Maud Adams posing on various postcards and billboards. Shopping also featured a rather large movie theatre that was modeled after a cave. Unfortunately it was closed in 1988 and has not been open since then.

About the author: Chris

Founded Ultra Swank in 2005. Has a crush on Pan Am, Disneyland and the Century 21 Exposition. Lives life as an expat in Barcelona, Spain.

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Shopping Spree – Part 5

Time for another peek at the past shopping experiences. This time we are leaving Sweden to have a look at some photos from an American shopping center. Since most of the Swedish malls and shopping (Read more)

Shopping Spree – Part 2

Time for another visit to yesteryears shopping malls in Sweden, this time focusing on a gem located in the suburbs of Gothenburg in the southwest parts of Sweden. The Frölunda Torg mall was built in (Read more)

Shopping Spree – Part 4

Time again to visit the yesteryear’s shopping experience. Here are some fresh assorted postcards from two different shopping centers in Sweden, one from Stockholm and the other one from Gothenburg. I have only visited the (Read more)

Anonymous

Hi Chris, You’ve got a neat blog. I love retro-”swank” style also and you’ve got lots of cool pics of things in Sweden with swanky style. I live in America but have Swedish heritage so I always love to learn and see things from “the home country.” Nice pics you’ve put on your blog here!

Nicole
Chris

Thanks, always fun to hear comments from my visitors!
Vincent Q

Goddag, skulle det kunna vara möjligt att få använda bilderna på shopping till en musik demo och till min myspace?
Chris

Hej Vincent, jag äger inte upphovsrätten på bilderna så jag kan inte bestämma sånt. Men för min del är det inga problem att du använder dom. Du får dock gärna ge mig en länk eller något liknande från din sida.
Carlos Guilherme

true, true very cool blog… retro les baxter & all.
http://www.wristbandsnow.com/ wristband

yeah this is a very cool looking mall, nice place to buy gifts for loveones this christmas.
pamela

because i have not exeprience it. i can't say too much but from the look i saw from the photo it look woow! as am woking as a asales lady in one of the stores in dar es salaam Tanzania Mr.Price i would like to be one of the voluteers to one of the stores selling cloths and other thing to invite me for a voluteer job for one month so that i can experience whats inside Ultra Swank.

Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more

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