I’ve always been a sucker for shopping malls, even as a kid I thoroughly enjoyed going to the mall with the folks. Nowadays most shoppings centers are just loud, generic and boring. Where’s that sense of soul and character? Well fear not, Ultra Swank takes you back to take a look at some of the mid-century gems.

Every mid-century mall needs three things; a water feature, the bigger the better (throw in fountain or “wonderfall” and you are king of the hill), plenty of plants and greeneries, and last, but not least, funky color themes and shapes (did anyone say Googie?).

Going to the mall back then was an experience on its own. A destination. A place to gather and where memories were made. A place away from home. Somewhere were all your needs and shopping fantasies could be fulfilled. Nowadays, well not much so, unless you count the mindless consumerism part of the equation. I can’t think of any modern mall that gave me the same endorphins as the ones I grew up with did.

All of the malls pictured here have either been transformed until something completely different or demolished. Progress? I fail to see that. But then again, I am a nostalgic at heart.

Which is your favorite mall of the past?