Burlington VT converted an old mall into a high school. Looks like a great option. High schools are also time traps with little need for outdoor light haha
@SadisticSenpai612 жыл бұрын
That would make for a really nice high school, actually. Although, passing time might need to be extended beyond 5 minutes to get from one end to the other. Community Colleges seem to be popular options as well.
@raydai95412 жыл бұрын
@@SadisticSenpai61 meanwhile passing time is 2 minutes for me
@SadisticSenpai612 жыл бұрын
@@raydai9541 😮
@brokeandtired2 жыл бұрын
Honestly they would also make great home conversions with local shop facilities...and even have a nursery for working families.
@fyrchmyrddin19372 жыл бұрын
@@SadisticSenpai61 There's one such near me; it's far better than leasing space which was the previous model. I wonder how cost-efficient scholastic use generally is, when compared to alternatives. I know many schools were on the "worst" lots possible, but that in some cases the land value soared to the point that even waste sites were more valuable.
@aromero24523 жыл бұрын
This video made me laugh. I saw some of these pitfalls in my thesis project. I proposed a hybrid model that used the oversized parking lot for mixed use housing and urban farming. The rear service area and parking of the mall was next to a river. This became a food forest and bike trail. The interior of the mall was repurposed for a food related business incubator, culinary school, food hall, and a maker space. It was like Disneyland for food. The presentation devolved into a contentious debate. A Dean and a combative mall architect gave me hell. One didn’t want to accept that malls were dying. Most agreed with the problem statement, but they wanted to see a bigger architectural statement as a solution. I thankfully survived the experience and graduated.
@VincentGonzalezVeg2 жыл бұрын
I want to learn more! Do you have the papers listed somewhere?
@badhomecooking51022 жыл бұрын
Ya that sounds really cool! I think that would be a great solution!
@bruja_cat2 жыл бұрын
That’s sad, people care more about lucrative capitalism than FEEDING PEOPLE
@BlackWolf2072 жыл бұрын
@@bruja_cat you act as if people don’t have other ways of getting food?
@fyrchmyrddin19372 жыл бұрын
@@BlackWolf207 It grows on trees! /s
@___Me_3 жыл бұрын
Converting malls into apartments initially may seem like a good and sustainable idea but you usually have to replace or change every part of the building including the structure so often tearing it down and rebuilding with efficient floorplan makes sense from a cost and sustainability perspective.
@briannem.67872 жыл бұрын
Mall land is a good place for housing, but the building itself is mostly useless unless you want to make a building with a supermarket. Even in a scenario that you do want some shopping for residents, that's no more than 30% of the mall. You're not using the whole mall for shops for residents of this building and surrounding areas, unless this building's doubling the population of the surrounds- which it probably isn't!
@Ar-ye1cr2 жыл бұрын
Make malls into hostels
@bruja_cat2 жыл бұрын
In my town, the small mall downtown was converted into an old folk’s elderly home with accessibility & health centers in the lobby.
@HooLeePhucingSheet2 жыл бұрын
Damn that's a good idea, make their dr appointments close by and easily accessible.
@mgjmiller19952 жыл бұрын
@Bruja Cat, if you are where I think you're referencing, are you in the upper Midwest?
@texrifleman3 жыл бұрын
You nailed how engineers think about architecture.
@enja0013 жыл бұрын
One word sums it up. Why
@rharris222223 жыл бұрын
It just making an over-generalization. Only 98% of architects are like that.
@texrifleman3 жыл бұрын
@@enja001 well I once had an architect tell us that he wanted the exhaust stack of a power plant to look like a Saguaro Catcus. He had drawings and everything but a structural design, that was for us to figure out. Architects some times miss the Function/Form where engineers are always function /form, except Apple and Tesla.
@rharris222223 жыл бұрын
It wasn't always like that. There was a time when even big names like FLW and Philip Johnson were structures guys, at least at the high level. I suppose part of it is simply over-specialization. Architects and engineers both tend to draw sharp lines and say "That stuff's not my problem," when they both ought to see those edges as places of cooperation and see the need to learn and apply a little of the other's knowledge.
@DavidSiebert3 жыл бұрын
I often wonder why some people come up with some of the dumbest ideas and then make super cool drawings of them. Two I remember was a bridge across a valley with houses on the top and wind turbines on the bottom! I was like that is the dumbest idea I have ever seen!! The cost of building it would be huge, The wind turbines would put super high loads on the structure and produce a lot of vibration and noise The wind turbines would be difficult to work on so why? Why not just but the turbines on the ground like everywhere else.? I am just a software engineer and not a mechanical or structural and that just makes my head hurt. The other was a planned community called Harmony, FL. I love the idea of planned communities and this was supposed to be an eco-friendly cool community except it was in the middle of nowhere Florida. Why would you want to move there? The area had no real jobs outside of a few gas stations and cattle ranches. It was more than an hour's drive on a toll road to the Disney area of Orland and a lot longer to any high-paying jobs in downtown areas. So why would anyone want to move there? How would they live? Just another retirement community? Maybe it would work today if they had super high-speed internet for work from home but even then it is in the worst area of Florida. It is super hot in summer, no ocean, no breeze, it is flat. The only good thing is it would have pretty mild winters. So why? I think they saw cheap land and it was a let's see if we can get people to buy into it. So why do they come up with what I would call Popular Science cover art projects? Is it just for fun? A fun flight of fancy what if? Or do they know it is useless but looks pretty and gets them good PR? Or do they think that they can get funding for a study out of it? Or do they just fall in love with their own idea and are blind to the downsides?
@williamknox84382 жыл бұрын
"reenforced engineers' perception that architects and designers are disconnected from reality." 😂❤️😂❤️ Love it.
@Xiph19802 жыл бұрын
Well, it is true. But engineers are also disconnected from the importance of ambiance and social interactions of buildings. And that's perfectly fine. Every field has their expertise, and no single field has all the knowledge required. It's in cooperation where we can get the best results.
@dlg54852 жыл бұрын
@@Xiph1980 Totally agree. It always annoys me when people try to oversimplify or diminish the roll and importance of a particular field or area of expertise...because it's not THEIR area of focus. Of course, it requires a cooperative effort between various experts to achieve the best outcomes.
@arlen7726 Жыл бұрын
My mom took a university Design course and the impression that my mom and I both shared of it was that the majority of what it was teaching was bullshit. it was teaching people how to be hired by corporations to consult on something, and then have the corporation just do what it wanted as if their advice barely existed.
@JR-gh8lp2 жыл бұрын
“… Where are you biking to?… ” Love that comment!
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
In western Washington state, there are actually great nature trails that run alongside state highways and they're getting expanded to be safely accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists and people on wheelchairs and mobility scooters. So in the PNW, not a bad idea except we need the constructed awnings with solar panels that recharge electric vehicles as bicyclists ride alongside the highways like they do in northern Europe.
@512TheWolf5122 жыл бұрын
@@inaruboricua they will stop being NATURE trail with all that disability infrastructure, especially mobility scooters
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
@@512TheWolf512 Seriously? You compare a no-nature environment of nothing but buildings and concrete to a nature path that's paved for the disabled and call them the same? You are weird and when you are no longer able to walk, you'll remember what an ass you once were.
@512TheWolf5122 жыл бұрын
@@inaruboricua you just extrapolate something i never meant from something i said. and, unlike with walking troubles, there's no cure for stuppidity, so, i feel sorry for you.
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
@@512TheWolf512 If eating your own words tastes like poop, maybe you should examine your own words, estupida: "they will stop being NATURE trail with all that disability infrastructure, especially mobility scooters"
@LaceyOGrady3 жыл бұрын
The promenade mall in tulsa is being converted into a college. That seemed like the easiest option to make use of the space
@ll1881ll3 жыл бұрын
Excellent. Because colleges don’t seem to care for windows anyway
@Katiebartl2 жыл бұрын
And Eastland mall has become a business center with a DMV.
@joseph11502 жыл бұрын
The problem is there is going to be a huge enrollment crash due to demographics and changing perceptions of education. People are waking up to that 100k+ college debt that pays a couple bucks more than a guy with a GED willing to get his hands dirty isn't sustainable.
@LaceyOGrady2 жыл бұрын
@@joseph1150 absolutely. I wish they would make it a trade school instead
@toddmarshall75732 жыл бұрын
If we must have government, put government in these malls. And auction off their existing more valuable properties.
@angelashock98372 жыл бұрын
I think an abandoned mall would be perfect for an old folks home, senior center, community. You could take the big chain store space and make those over into apartments, keep the beauty salons, book stores, restaurants, and a few clothing store, and turn the rest into classrooms for activities, and doctors and dentist offices. Parking lots could be used for creating gardens, and outdoor recreation activities. Yes, there would need to be retrofits done, but I think the residents would like to have things handy, and their children would feel they are safe. The hallways would be used for walking (duh), you already have escalators and elevators, and they are convenient to get to.
@mr.pavone97192 жыл бұрын
I've imagined exactly the same thing.
@Ariel-ps8je2 жыл бұрын
The problem with making apartments out of big box stores is that people need windows in their homes
@delicious6192 жыл бұрын
Not a bad idea. There are apartments and old folks homes that are basically mini shopping centers on the bottom, plus the essentials.
@mor4y2 жыл бұрын
Have you heard of a couple of projects in England where a old folks home specialising with dementia has built a 1950's/60's high Street in the grounds of the home, with shops staffed by the care home workers, or specialist stores (hairdresser) have a outside worker come I'm for the day and use the shopfront. It's worked really well, and these malls might just be able to become the US equivalent 🤔
@aromero24522 жыл бұрын
@@Ariel-ps8je Yes, access to windows for egress, light and ventilation is required by code. There are different strategies to address this. A good book on mall retrofits is the “Sprawl Repair Manual”
@maxgomez38792 жыл бұрын
I love this woman. She just calls out peoples bullshit ideas!
@Keralasha4442 жыл бұрын
She’s well informed not a cynic. She’s just answering our questions.
@Twisted_Logic2 жыл бұрын
I really appreciate the focus on practicality. So many people approach this sort of thing as if resources and local sway were unlimited. Also: Damn, I used to go to the Collin Creek Mall all the time as a kid. Cool to see it's getting some new life!
@loturzelrestaurant2 жыл бұрын
I wonder, know 'Josh Strive Hayes'?
@Twisted_Logic2 жыл бұрын
@@loturzelrestaurant Can't say I have
@loturzelrestaurant2 жыл бұрын
@@Twisted_Logic Oh, my condolescene. I hope you can overcome this... (XD)
@M0rdFustang2 жыл бұрын
I learned how to drive at the old Sears that was there 😭
@freelanceminion73962 жыл бұрын
People are constantly trying to justify some weird scheme to " house the homeless." Just build regular low-cost housing and fund more social services for those with issues. Build the weird stuff for yuppies or hipsters or whatever is next with too much money if you want but don't blame not wanting to pay for a known fix on wanting to have something exotic.
@dwc19642 жыл бұрын
but housing non-rich people is bad ROI ...
@freelanceminion73962 жыл бұрын
@@dwc1964 which is why "we should run government like a business" is a terrible philosophy.
@Thrifty0327812 жыл бұрын
But one of the big challenges in residential construction is acquiring the land. They say that construction is cheap compared to the cost of land. Abandoned malls have a pretty large footprint which means they'd be good for regular low cost housing.
@dwc19642 жыл бұрын
@@freelanceminion7396 but the idea that government should own housing so that non-rich people can have somewhere to live has been abandoned in the USA long ago
@shortstacksport2 жыл бұрын
@@dwc1964 You're both morons. Government is exactly what's preventing low-income housing via zoning laws, NIMBYs, and environmental regulations. If businesses were allowed to build high density housing and more houses in general, housing costs would be far cheaper.
@GuenniKurti2 жыл бұрын
I burst out laughing when you read out the proposal for connecting paths for foot and bike traffic. Whoever proposed that is completely disconnected from reality. In the US, malls we're usually built in the middle of nowhere because everything is car-centric. So those walkways would probably have to be 5 kilometers long to get there from the city center. And in Europe, most malls are already integrated in a mostly walkable city center so there's really no need for walkways (though limiting car traffic would be really appealing). It's one of those proposal that really great until you spend 10 seconds thinking about them.
@andrewalexander94922 жыл бұрын
You should start to develop pretty serious doubts by about the 7'th second of pondering it.
@generatoralignmentdevalue2 жыл бұрын
This is actually surprising to me because in my city, the main, emptiest, oldest mall is about halfway down our biggest street. I don't bike, but I can hardly drive anywhere without passing it. The other mall nearby is right in the heart of the city, where there are more tall buildings than parking spots. It would be right along the path from many people's apartments to a big park, and in fact, people often cut through it on foot. I think the bike path comments come from people in areas like mine, who have never heard of driving AWAY from everything to get to a mall.
@camillelemmens17452 жыл бұрын
Oh no, a 5km long bike ride! The horror!
@GuenniKurti2 жыл бұрын
@@camillelemmens1745 Just to be clear, I'm not complaining about a 5km bike ride. That's perfectly fine, as long as there's decent bike infrastructure. But for foot traffic, 5km is just too much, especially if people have to carry home what they just bought. They would benefit a lot more from decent public transportation. For bikes, a decent and safe bike lane along existing roads would make a lot more sense economically than a fancy walkway that may look nice but would also eat up tons of money.
@camillelemmens17452 жыл бұрын
@@GuenniKurti True, it needs to be part of a more holistic view of the surroundings. But I am also convinced that one has to start somewhere. Saying things like "where would we bike to", means nothing ever changes. The first safe bike lane or pleasant walkway will always be alone at first, but might mean that the next time someone says "let's put in a bike lane", there is actually somewhere to cycle to. And cycling is so much more pleasant away from car traffic than right next to it...
@alldecentnamestaken3 жыл бұрын
I work in CRE. You got a lot right but I'm kind of surprised you didn't bring up medical. Hospitals prefer horizontal layouts as they try to avoid using elevators whenever possible (imagine transporting a patient in critical condition in an elevator and having the elevator fail). Their preferred program is a central trauma center and ICU with surgery theaters, patient rooms, labs, doctor's offices, and administrator offices on the perimeter. In terms of the raw structure of the building and the parking lot, little work would need to be done. It would be mostly a matter of running plumbing and electrical.
@MichaelFlynn03 жыл бұрын
ceiling heights in malls are usually 4-6 metres. Hospitals around 3m
@fijitom2 жыл бұрын
Would be extremely difficult to install and support suspended medical gas supply columns on the concrete since retail shops has fairly high ceiling
@cwill21272 жыл бұрын
Yeah that’s not viable at all. Say goodbye to suction, O2 and the like in every hospital room. Also, elevators are routinely used in hospitals. I work in the ER and people regularly get admitted to the icu, which requires an elevator trip. Old building and never had it fail but it’s sort of an unspoken bad omen lol
@codacreator61622 жыл бұрын
Hey, that’s a great idea! It’s bad enough that I used to be able to see one doc for virtually all of my health concerns and now need to see a different provider for every single aspect of it (definitely not to my advantage) which is made much more difficult because these specialists are NEVER in the same building as my doc, but usually quite far away, necessitating a separate trip, often at a later date. If I’m sick and need treatment quickly, I don’t want to schedule multiple trips to multiple providers over several days… Capitalism prides itself on efficiency- but that efficiency rarely translates to “better for consumers,” regardless of how adamant they are that it does.
@moose12652 жыл бұрын
@@codacreator6162 Because specialists are independent practices. It sure would be great to have all your docs in the same place but tbh, doctors hate hospitals. Hospital admins are the worst people to work with. They treat doctors and nurses like Bezos treats Amazon workers. If there is ever a chance for a doctor to not be at a hospital, you bet your ass they won't be.
@gwarlow3 жыл бұрын
Your videos are addictive, in a good way! Thanks for all of your hard work. Cheers.
@BelindaCarr3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@msway8363 жыл бұрын
@@BelindaCarr new sub here, was in my recommendations, straight to the point and not a lot of useless personality fluff. Thanks you are Refreshing..
@PeterSedesse2 жыл бұрын
I wonder what the economics are of just turning them into warehouses. Almost all the lower deck stores have loading docks. There are a huge number of new companies that need ' mall store' sized warehouses and then just do the upper floors as office spaces.
@IQzminus22 жыл бұрын
Might work. But there is a lot of strategic value in choosing a warehouse at the right location depending on how your companies supply lines/network looks like. So depending on the mall, and where it happens to be located, it might or might not be a good option for certain companies.
@eklectiktoni2 жыл бұрын
I thought the same.
@racer11252 жыл бұрын
The local mall by me sat for years in disrepair. We had one developer that completely gutted it and tried for a year to get new stores into it and failed. Finally it has been repurposed as an industrial building housing rentable office spaces, a semi trailer production company and a shrimp farm.
@GRANOLA772 жыл бұрын
I had no idea shrimp farms were a thing.
@TerranTaro2 жыл бұрын
@@GRANOLA77 where do you think most of the shrimp comes from? xD
@GRANOLA772 жыл бұрын
@@TerranTaro I assumed the ocean haha although I do know there were fish farms
@MONi_LALA2 жыл бұрын
That zombie mall experience is so cool. They could divide the mall into sections and have campaigns like getting food, finding battery or other rations. And charge $20/person/campaign. Pretty cool
@turtle-ratcustoms84592 жыл бұрын
I use to dream about turning an abondoned mall into an airsoft zombie arena. I vant believe its a real thing! Thats awesome!
@freelanceminion73962 жыл бұрын
I doubt it would make enough money to be a long-term solution to pay the property tax and fix the roof, but it is a good stop-gap while they think of more ideas.
@freelanceminion73962 жыл бұрын
@Tamiasciurus Yeah I assume that will disappear the day they come up with a real plan for the property. Until then might as well have SOME revenue.
@doomjuice.1652 Жыл бұрын
A speaker will tell who will be survivors there will only be 6 survivors the rest will be zombies you have 3 minutes to prepare?
@alldecentnamestaken3 жыл бұрын
The John Malkovich clip earned my like :)
@WatersandWilderness3 жыл бұрын
John Malkovich is such a great actor.
@ostavftw3 жыл бұрын
what a great video! I like how you're challenging the stereotype of architects, and including economics and engineering you explanations. I would be interested in seing a video about the homogeneity of modern apartment complexes, and why they look like they do
@dataodokpa54312 жыл бұрын
I’d never thought I’d enjoy a post about mall conversations 🤣. Belinda you are awesome. I love your informative perspective
@op-up16453 жыл бұрын
In Austin TX there was a the "Hyland Mall" which was converted into a community campus college
@BillyBob-fd5ht3 жыл бұрын
I walked through an expansion of a university, my first thought was it just like a mall, cheaper to buy a mall convert to a school.. simple
@TRAZ40043 жыл бұрын
*Highland
@GrantSR3 жыл бұрын
I came here to say exactly this. Except I would have spelled "Highland" properly.
@op-up16453 жыл бұрын
@@GrantSR Wild, cause I would have spelt it inproperly
@greatskytrollantidrama44733 жыл бұрын
I like the idea
@bubbalawrence13 жыл бұрын
I just think it’s so awesome to have insight from someone who has had to take into account these things and had a hand in crafting the outcome on such a big project
@MrJMCookie3 жыл бұрын
Most info videos I see have about 5 minutes wort of content spread out over a15 minute video. The Belinda Carr videos have about 15 minutes presented in about 10 minutes. I love them, no chance of getting bored here. Keep up the good work and thank you Belinda. Joe in the Great White North
@BelindaCarr3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@paintedpony29353 жыл бұрын
"OK. Let's cut through all the fluff." It's what you do best. Thank you!!
@JohnPorsbjerg2 жыл бұрын
I love how realistic you are without being pessimistic!
@MsHojat3 жыл бұрын
I loved that Malkovitch scene, because that's exactly what I was thinking when I saw that ridiculous picture.
@cymb3line3 жыл бұрын
Your videos are seriously the perfect mix of professional and entertaining! Great work!
@malecki601942 жыл бұрын
Still like the mixed purpose. Have the lower levels as retail, entertainment, restaurants, and office space. Maybe have one or two anchor stores as a hotel or grocery store. So many possibilities.
@readmedottext3 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy this channel. It really helps me see things from a different point of view. Everyone says "mixed use" so much for malls it just seems the default choice.
@SadisticSenpai612 жыл бұрын
There's also the problem of "dead load" - shopping and retail spaces have very different dead loads than housing. Housing has a much higher dead load, so structures built for office or retail space might not meet the required specifications for turning it into housing - even micro-lofts (possibly even especially micro-lofts as then you're packing even more heavy appliances into that space).
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
The microlofts she showcased have miniature appliances - hot plates not stoves, dorm-size refrigerators, no dishwashers, furniture including bed are small as possible by necessity. Laundry machines are centralized for use by all.
@romywhite2903 жыл бұрын
Like another commenter said, urban farms could be put in the space, and help supply communities with winter crops. But I think they could be turned into indoor ice rinks/pools/other athletic facilities.
@romywhite2902 жыл бұрын
@N Fels look it's just an idea. I'm no expert. I'm also not someone to get mad at because I have zero authority
@burdeo23132 жыл бұрын
They tore down the abandoned mall near my house and are constructing a high rise downtown area.. in the middle of the suburbs. Shoutout to the old Westminster Mall!
@YandereDay2 жыл бұрын
Our mall was bought by a chain tech College. They were able to keep the food court and the transition from stores to classrooms seemed pretty easy. Best option imo
@IBXRunning2 жыл бұрын
I have been binging your videos all morning 😂 They are fascinating. A lot of options that get the most press seem to be gimmicky rather than the best solutions. Thank you for your awesome videos!
@grimgracious2 жыл бұрын
My community college bought our dying mall and converted it into their new campus. It's gorgeous and fit tons of classrooms, offices, a large computer room, library, and more.
@hope15752 жыл бұрын
Interesting, that seems like a very effective use of that type of space. When you'll already need a lot of large spaces like lecture halls, libraries, probably a food court, and lots of room for students to walk from place to place, a former mall seems promising for that. I wonder how much renovation they had to do to make it work.
@antoanto53013 жыл бұрын
"OK let's cut through ALL THE FLUFF" Belinda you're needed on the UN council!
@FrancesBedoya892 жыл бұрын
This is a great video! Randhurst Mall in Mount Prospect, IL USA was a bustling shopping center in Chicago's northwest suburbs throughout the 90s. After decline in the early 2000s with major anchors either going out of business or moving their locations, Randhurst could never really fill that anchor space successfully. In 2009 the mall was partially torn down and converted to outdoor shopping and a hotel now known as Randhurst Village.
@chrislegros94762 жыл бұрын
Lol, the "what the F" was so perfectly timed
@sabriath3 жыл бұрын
We had the Blue Hen mall (Delaware) that was constructed/opened in 1968, and was our mall for a time...I still remember it as a kid, with shops lining 2 stories and even a mini-golf. When 13 was complete and shot straight up through Dover, completely missing BH, Dover Mall was also in the works and was opened around 1982, it was a double blow.....Blue Hen was getting less populated, it was a sad state to see near the end. The last thing we did was throw a coin in the water fountain, and then it was gone. They converted the entire space, eventually, into a corporate center with different offices....the parking lot still looks like it hasn't been maintained in years. Dover Mall doesn't even have a water fountain, feels very "clean" and "give me your money" type feel, rather than the wonder I remember of BH. Yes, it was smaller, and maybe it was my childhood excitement, but it felt more alive. The only reason I even go to the mall now is for AA pretzels....and maybe when my gf goes to VS, but that's it. The future is looking more and more metal and hardened, children are spending more time with phones and games than interacting with each other in person, and business is catering to it, adapting to that new outlook. I used to love going grocery shopping, and now I can't even find half of the stuff on my list because pickers already snatched it all up. I could go on, but I think I've spoken enough in my old-man delirium of nostalgia.
@undeleted012 жыл бұрын
I just watch 2 of your videos on shipping container homes and enjoyed them. I love your logic and point of view. Thank you for creating these videos and for all your work.
@saeklin2 жыл бұрын
Library, school/daycare, college, doctor/clinic/rehab mall, office mall, or government mall with courthouse and DMV. The last one especially is needed in many small towns that turned into big cities and need to upgrade their governmental infrastructure. Except for grade schools, the rest can even keep the food court open to the public.
@lindamorse74633 жыл бұрын
I just want to say how refreshing it is to listen to you talk because you don’t use “uh” every few minutes. If you pause for a moment, and you rarely do, you don’t fill the gap with a useless, annoying sound like nearly everyone else does. It’s become a pet peeve and I just want to thank you for not doing it. You’re an excellent speaker.
@442jetmech3 жыл бұрын
Came here to say how well spoken she is, as well. Her information comes across so smoothly. I strive to reach this level of clarity one day.
@MrRickstopher2 жыл бұрын
I really like when I find a channel that's someone who clearly knows what they're talking about.
@markiangooley2 жыл бұрын
Lots of old malls have leaky roofs. The quality of construction isn’t always that high. I expect that most won’t be worth re-using.
@colormedubious47472 жыл бұрын
Oh, no! Whatever shall we do? We can't possibly repurpose this mall because patching a leak is clearly beyond our current technological capability! Please tell us: when your roof develops a leak do you just pack up and move to a new house?
@morganhazel23732 жыл бұрын
New roof for a mall will be like 900k to 8 million, depending on who the bid goes to, if it was designed stupid or just really big you'll run into some money problems unless you're bezos.
@colormedubious47472 жыл бұрын
@@morganhazel2373 Materiality matters. How much is the land worth? Context matters. How much, if any, of the existing roof will the project actually need? Sweeping generalizations like the OP's aren't helpful.
@morganhazel23732 жыл бұрын
@@colormedubious4747 even the most base level is so broad, even in one set building. There's so many variables for maintenance of just one part of a building, let alone everything else. You got walls, floors, electricity, HVAC, possibly moldy ductwork from inactivity, plumbing, every window and door could add some costs for repairs or maintenance. I think its best to just put 1% of cost to 180% of cost just for total repairs. It could easily become a blue tarp on the roof and back on the market in 2 weeks.
@adamblackman66602 жыл бұрын
It’s useful to people living in tents
@9brian98712 жыл бұрын
As a resident of Richardson, TX, I live only a few miles from the old Collin Creek Mall. We have been thrilled with the imaginative use of the space that is being done there. You are correct when stating that these old structures can easily turn a once thriving community into a scary, crime ridden area. The ongoing renovations here should not only allow us to avoid that outcome, but help to improve our property value. I think some of the worst abandoned spaces these days tend to be big box stores such as Walmart, Sams or an old Home Depot. Hopefully, people with vision, such as yourself, will continue to rise to the challenge and create something useful & beautiful.
@holeymcsockpuppet2 жыл бұрын
I've always thought that converting the anchor stores into apartments (or replacing them with appartments) and using the rest of the structure as a sort of connector between them would be a good idea. Indoor gardens, restaurants/cafés, gyms, basketball courts, yoga studios, health clinics/doctors, childcare/preschool, VR/AR gaming, etc. could fill the interiors. Basically create a mini-city. Outside, bus stations and other mass transit options could integrate the unused parking area as a transportation hub/park-n-ride. Charging stations in the parking lots...maybe even drone launch/delivery hubs on top of the buildings. I've always seen such potential in them.
@BonJody2 жыл бұрын
I remember when our Mall was being built and I was there the day it opened if I close my eyes I can still get a sense of the look feel and smell everything about it. As soon as I was old enough I got a job at my favorite store and stayed all the way through high-school. It's changed a lot but I still call it my mother ship, I've always wanted to live in the mall with the microlofts.
@seanwelch712 жыл бұрын
I'd like to see malls make way for parks or new affordable housing. Old malls should rent out the shops to small businesses of all sorts, and encourage retail based on local tastes and expertise access. We don't do really big ideas, long term ideas.
@ph11p35402 жыл бұрын
Edmonton still has a lot of big shopping malls though the pandemic has them struggling. One mall, not far from me, decided to convert a large section of it for assorted medical and other self help support services and it seems to be working out better for the mall owner. It's other major advantage is it has a lot of independent one of a kind small shops, a super market and is conveniently located by a major transit hub as well as reasonable parking. The only major weaknesses of the mall is its cut off from the rest of the nearby community by a freeway interchange making walking to the mall unpleasant, arduous and hazardous.
@alfiesmile96832 жыл бұрын
If you use them as housing it will soon start to feel like living on a prison wing.
@josepablolunasanchez12832 жыл бұрын
Ah, basically a college...
@512TheWolf5122 жыл бұрын
Just needs a panopticon
@galechicago3252 жыл бұрын
Prison wing, exactly. That’s how it felt to WORK at a mall.
@ScooterinAB2 жыл бұрын
It's funny that you question outdoor malls in snowy environments because we are absolutely drowning in outlet malls here. My personal non-favourite is the labyrinthian hell hole that is a massive outlet mall development on the south side of my city. This thing is so large that it probably has it's own hole in the ozone layer, since it is impossible to move around without getting in your car and driving 10 minutes to the next store. And though they weren't as common in northern Japan, there are a few large shopping arcades (roofed with shop on wither side, but open at the intersections).
@Ocyla2 жыл бұрын
You are pointing out things that almost all media misses or are purposely misunderstanding. The biggest ones being 1. you can't tell private owners what to do and 2. the vast majority of people, esp homeowners, don't want to live anywhere near NIMBY areas like homeless shelters. It is what it is. Too bad wishful thinking is more popular than anything these days.
@ScooterinAB2 жыл бұрын
As we move forward as a society, people are going to have to give up their knee jerk reactions about everything they don't want to live next to. We need to stop whining and accept that there are social needs.
@thenotoriousmichaeljackson89382 жыл бұрын
@@ScooterinAB true
@AwesomeSihv2 жыл бұрын
@@ScooterinAB As with all issues, whenever you say “People need to X”, the response will be “You first”. Plenty of people will say “just get over it” until its their turn and they realize there are very real issues that caused these biases to begin with.
@ScooterinAB2 жыл бұрын
@@AwesomeSihv Yes. I'm not an anti-social dirtbag. I do things to try and help society instead of fearfully clinging to my perceived power and needs.
@ksanchez80952 жыл бұрын
@@ScooterinAB You would love to live near a high crime area I suppose.
@lucilleavakian8332 жыл бұрын
Belinda you are a Wonderful presenter. I love how you walk us through a topic so that we understand the many aspects in a way that we can use our own minds to evaluate what you are saying. You are Top Notch and your family must be very, very proud of you.
@patrickmclaughlin60133 жыл бұрын
I hate apartments but that does seem to be the future, density.
@DavidSiebert3 жыл бұрын
Funny but I was thinking the opposite. With all the work from home going on urban areas may start seeing a population decrease. Many people can work anywhere if they have high-speed internet and that is going to get more and more common. On line, shopping means less need for things like malls and shops. I almost see a move to more of a rural lifestyle. Most of the problems with sprawl had to do with cars. People commuting to work, to shop, to entertainment. The real issue will be access to high-speed internet. It will produce communities of have and have nots. If Starlink works out you may also see people adopting a more nomadic lifestyle. They will just move to where they want to be for now..
@patrickmclaughlin60133 жыл бұрын
@@DavidSiebert Thanks for the follow up. I do see your point. That internet connection does seem to be a major factor for what the future will be like. As far as the sprawl, all I see around me is higher buildings and crazy density with zero thought for how it will effect the quality life and infrastructure. If what you are saying works out, they are just building the ghettos of tomorrow.
@garethbaus54713 жыл бұрын
@@DavidSiebert low density subarbs are a massive waste of land, I hope they just go with larger apartments.
@jeanf62953 жыл бұрын
@@DavidSiebert sprawling suburbs are not only a problem because of cars : they are expensive as hell to maintain. With lower density of settlements, infrastructures people tend to take as granted like sewers, running water, electricity lines, roads, communications lines have to be built over far larger distances. The internet won't bring you all that by itself. That being said, towering building have their limits too : economies of scale stall or even worsen beyond five to ten floors, as water pumps, active ventilation systems, more elevators, inbuilt fire management systems, and other stuff have to be installed and maintained.
@bjdent2 жыл бұрын
You have excellent subtle humor... "WHERE ARE YOU BIKING TO?" LOLOLOLOLOL
@charlotteboy67833 жыл бұрын
I live right by collin creek mall. Glad to know that its going to good use. I used to love going there.
@konagolden33972 жыл бұрын
In the 1980's Hughes Aerospace built a corporate HQ in Playa Vista, CA that could be repurposed into a shopping mall. From underground parking to 4 levels of offices, designed around an atrium, with glass front walls and doors inside with escalators. 1 million square feet, set into the hillside to minimize view, noise & traffic impacts on the neighbors. I think it is now part of Loyola Marymount University.
@seanworkman4313 жыл бұрын
Where I live the planning authority has deemed that every new apartment block must have retail facilities and this makes it more attractive for residents as well building a sense of community. There is one that has three levels of retail, including cinemas and then residential above in the middle of the city close to a transport hub. The designers won worldwide awards and it is much admired.
@paintedpony29353 жыл бұрын
That will go the way of shopping malls in 20 years.
@seanworkman4313 жыл бұрын
@@paintedpony2935 Not in the heart of Sydney, Australia.
@2metertall2 жыл бұрын
"ok, so let's cut through all the fluff" - that line was brilliant! :)
@Gundesalf2 жыл бұрын
I didn't say "Paint the mall". I said "Paint them all", meaning the food plaza tables. We were talking about the tables. With the joke out of the way, I've always thought malls had the perfect infrastructure to be converted into educational institutions.
@myperspective50912 жыл бұрын
One of the best examples of a re-purposed malls to me is the Aloha Tower mall in Honolulu Hawaii. They converted it into a community college. They put dorms in where the old stores used to be on the second floor and then they put classrooms on the ground floor. It’s nice because it was set up as an open air mall to begin with and stores are relatively small they were about large apartment size to begin with.
@bleukreuz2 жыл бұрын
I have never heard of that zombie mall experience, so thank you for bringing that to my attention :D Too bad I don't live in the UK.
@leoneranger93482 жыл бұрын
I do, and never heard of it either!
@cariwaldick48982 жыл бұрын
I love the idea of redoing a mall. I'd go for the mixed use, with residences upstairs--with skylights added. I'd skip the retail space, and instead opt for a grocery store, and an enhanced food court (for those who never know where to go for dinner.) Add some indoor playgrounds, maybe a pool area, and community areas for those living or working there. Convert the parking lot to green space and gardens on one side, and sell the other side for new construction. Essentially, take advantage of indoor activities--movie theaters/play and music venues, health and fitness, etc.
@fredflickinger6433 жыл бұрын
Always going forward on this channel!
@Yorick2572 жыл бұрын
About biking and pedestrian access - as I understood from other videos about US, sometimes shopping malls are built right next to the residential area but still don't have ANY pedestrian paths. So, instead of taking a 100-meter walk you're forced to take 1.5 km walk around the mall (while being just next to a very busy highway), and then it's already easier to take a car. I live in the EU and here you can take a walk/ride a bicycle or use public transit to get to the mall, and a lot of people do that.
@maherf7682 жыл бұрын
I'm a graphic designer, I work with some wide eyed unrealistically optimistic engineers. most of them are newly graduated or still studying. the amount of time I spend face palming at their "ideas" is too much. you give me hope and remind me there's still logical realistic people out there. great videos too. you earned yourself a sub! thx for the vids.
@grayonthewater2 жыл бұрын
I personally love my local mall conversion. Austin Texas turned our old crappy Highland Mall into the main campus for Austin Community College. It’s so smart because the layout allows for many classrooms and large hallways will communal spaces like for sitting and working and eating.
@michaelaboy11403 жыл бұрын
I saw a video about The Arcade and I thought I can live there. It was a nice convert.
@gwendlevs.everything91782 жыл бұрын
At an old mall in my hometown the entire upper floor has been converted into various medical offices, and as regular retail stores vacate the lower level stores that sell medical items and more medical offices - a mix of general practitioners, specialists, and paramedical services all in one place, which if coordinated correctly can save patients a lot of time and worry, and can cut down on duplicated equipment if the various practitioners are willing to coordinate with each other. Another one (this one 3 stories) converted the top two floors into new classroom space / a satellite campus for a university
@intuitiveempath89883 жыл бұрын
Your a beautifully intelligent lady,💕
@creased4life2 жыл бұрын
Come on algorithm these videos on architecture are so high quality, it’s time to push this to the top
@cinnamonrollypoly2 жыл бұрын
It would make one heck of a mansion. I'd park my cars in the main entrance.
@gerrymichaud38512 жыл бұрын
Lewiston, Maine here. I live in the Bates Mill. A converted fabric mill that made famous heirloom blankets and bedspreads. There are 48 apartment units and businesses here. What's even better? This mill is where a lot of my extended family worked when the mill was active.
@icecoldchilipreppers3 жыл бұрын
They should turn them all into urban farms, perfectly designed for that!
@stickom3 жыл бұрын
1. Not a joke, i work in research and we have farm animals housed indoors, also chicken farming today is indoors only, also marihuana and many spices are indoor only 2. How about turning shopping malls into hi tech assembly facilities- factories, (are we afraid of working, is this country really think to keep giving money for free)
@mcbusinessmonkey3 жыл бұрын
@@stickom convert them ALL into hydroponic marajuana farms!
@ostavftw3 жыл бұрын
i dont think you understood the video then, The urban malls are normally more attractive for investors and will be renovated/demolished. The problem lies in the suburban malls where vertical farming doesnt really have a point
@annoyedok3213 жыл бұрын
Cheaper to transport food from cheap land areas than use costly urban land.
@monkiram2 жыл бұрын
She said they have minimal windows, so plants aren't really going to thrive well there Edit: do hydroponic plants not require sun?
@christinakinsley44413 жыл бұрын
A mall in the city where I live was built by covering a couple of blocks in the downtown ('70s). When it 'died' the road was eventually uncovered again. A couple of the buildings from before it was covered are still in use.
@OceanAce3 жыл бұрын
Hello there. This reminds me of a character's home in a dystopian novel.
@acchaladka3 жыл бұрын
I say let’s convert all abandoned malls to this use then. Excellent meeting, OceanA.
@grassgeese39162 жыл бұрын
Hello, I'm a young woman interested in carpentry specifically, but architecture is adjacent! I just recently started watching your videos. I think i am starting to really admire u!!! I love seeing your interest and passion for the subjects of your interesting videos! Thank you, this one i liked it especially!
@Alex-nl5cy3 жыл бұрын
Want to challenge one of the unstated assumptions of your video... What if lowering house values is fine? Inflated house prices are a major factor in homelessness(look at New Zealand or Hawaii), and all low income housing lowers property value somewhere, so if you're actually committed to solving the problem(which many politicians or architects are not, even if they can be well meaning) then you have to bite the bullet. Also, NIMBYism is not about 'crime', it's about the perception of crime or visible reminders of poverty. When states give homeless people one-way bus tickets to *literally anywhere else* that doesn't reduce crime, neither does keeping 'those kinds of people' out of suburbs. Poverty on the other hand does cause crime. At some point you have to make the decision to stop centering the feelings and assets of an aging middle class or the economics that support them and start addressing causes of the problems.
@tonygohagan27663 жыл бұрын
💯
@craiggraham90613 жыл бұрын
That’s a great idea! You buy a house for $1M, and then sell it to me for $250K. Call me when you’re ready!
@Alex-nl5cy3 жыл бұрын
@@craiggraham9061 How about a system where your wellbeing, lifesavings, access to a middle class lifestyle, aren't all connected to owning property? Which as I've stated is something that less and less people are actually able to do when you have this constant demand that property prices just go up and up!
@billgreen89663 жыл бұрын
@@Alex-nl5cy That's a really interesting comment. When my wife and I married in the 70s inflation in property prices was rampant in the UK. So much so that you saved and saved to try to get on the property ladder as soon as possible. Now people just want to drag property prices down until they can afford them without saving. Go figure.
@PeeperSnail2 жыл бұрын
I live close to El Paso and I can second the climate bit being important. The newer malls there (Outlets and The Fountains) are basically foot traffic “streets” with stores surrounding them, like strip malls but with a bit less ugly parking lots. The reason it works is because it barely ever rains or snows here, it’s one of the cities with the most sunshine in the US. It leads to annoying summers but it’s still a net positive EXCLUSIVE to this desertic region. It looks really pretty, it’s pretty fun to walk around these malls, but they can’t be done everywhere and people seem to forget that. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to make it so people can enjoy malls in the open, but for most regions is just simply not feasible due to the weather. And some malls? They’re blatantly time sink bricks that it’s probably best to just demolish them unless you’re in dire need of warehouses.
@laraantipova3892 жыл бұрын
I grew up in the upper Midwest and to be fair, we don’t mind the snow. Unless it’s in the negatives it’s pretty normal to go out, and people tend to see snow as pretty decorations more than a reason to stay home. Weirdly people spend more when it snows and if the winter isn’t snowy enough stores suffer financially. It rains 1/2 the days in the spring, and people don’t go out in the rain as much, so that’s a threat. They could try one mall in say Cincinnati and see if it goes well and then try say St Louis and just keep moving north.
@tonyoostenbrink78083 жыл бұрын
West Edmonton Mall (1980s) was the inspiration for Mall of America
@wclark31963 жыл бұрын
It was developed by the same company, though the MoA was smaller.
@BillyBob-fd5ht3 жыл бұрын
@@wclark3196 For me walking through it was like watching your grandma buying a bra. strange to have 7 same alda shoe stores wtf
@brotherseanpeacemaker6695 Жыл бұрын
I really appreciate all of the research you have done. Excellent!!!
@robjohnson85222 жыл бұрын
Before I even watch the video I will blurt out "HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS!" Because ya know, that is the standard answer to every building question! Right? ;) :) ONE MINUTE IN! LOL!
@drbelli2 жыл бұрын
Quality public universities + dorms (the USA needs to take higher education to its masses) this concept only works by allowing some space of the Mall to be sponsored small business incubators for students that are in their final years , so it would feed the campus with money(by the services and products from the incubators), professional experience for graduates, and a test bed/lab of new ideas/products/etc. if you think about it, its brilliant ! =D
@Neighbour_Al3 жыл бұрын
Would light tubes meet the need to bring light in deep into the structure. Less roof penetration
@solanketemitope11803 жыл бұрын
Always learning alot for you. Thank you😁
@gabbymadsen72602 жыл бұрын
I'd be interested in your thoughts on the renovations of North Gate Mall in Seattle WA. They added a major trasit center, tore out the center and added a outdoor hockey ring and made some other changes that fit in with the neighboring housing.
@NoirpoolSea2 жыл бұрын
Same. Northgate mall was apparently the USA's first enclosed mall. The two ends and their outdoor shops still remain (well, those that are still open..) and the interiors of the two end pieces are closed until their open walls are remedied. The sad thing is that the light rail just opened on the Second of October here, and their is almost nothing left.
@gabbymadsen72602 жыл бұрын
@@NoirpoolSea IDK... I could always see the outer walls and where the joinings occurred and I thought it wasn't particularly well done. I can't wait to get back to Seattle and see what's happened. Should be back by the time light rail reaches Alderwood
@brycedelmar16943 жыл бұрын
I didn't really have any prior interest in construction products or building techniques, but I've been binge watching your channel just to be soothed and relaxed by your ability to clearly and concisely explain something. Thank you!
@RobertCone2 жыл бұрын
All this talk about the impact of dead malls on the community and how they can be repurposed and there's very little conversation about the realities of that on the local tax base. Converting retail to residential won't be a big hit, higher property taxes offset by the elimination of the sales tax revenue. But when you're converting these large malls to schools, churches or homeless shelters, you're eliminating both sales and property tax revenue.
@mikecarr41782 жыл бұрын
Another part of the conversation about tax base has to be the demands residential development puts on that tax base. Unless it's all luxury or over-55 housing, most residential developments have more costs - primarily for schooling - than any resulting increase the tax receipts. It's one of the reasons mixed-use redevelopment is desirable.
@evinchester7820 Жыл бұрын
Use to live in Dallas. Had businesses in some malls. Some developers in the early 2000's got away from the enclosed malls and essentially went into strip malls. Freewheel was one. It also lowers costs associated with a traditional mall. Was in Collin Creek, and Richardson Square Mall, Grapevine Mills, and a couple of others. Internet shopping did hit the malls. But people still like to go out and see and touch things when shopping. One article I read back in the early 2000's when malls started to go "down" talked about how the malls could have been more if the developers were able to see past being in property management and had things to attack people to the mall that did have anything to do with retail. And you are correct. With urbanization people did not want nor desire to drive all the way into town or the city to shop. So in short, malls became a "small town" in the suburbs. Good video.
@codacreator61622 жыл бұрын
Part of the problem in America is the demand for high ROI, regardless of the market. So, affordable housing quickly becomes a misnomer. Why pull a Jerry Maguire when you could more easily and personally profitably leverage a small fortune from the project? Duh. You want to solve the increasing disenfranchisement of lower income people, you can’t do it with for-profit investors. Period.
@think20233 жыл бұрын
Intelligent, diligent, knowledgeable, humble, hard working, educated, open minded, excellent and concise communication and always clearly outlining the viewpoints and concerns of all. Todays Texas doesnt deserve you. Have you considered Canada?
@chrisyu983 жыл бұрын
Assisted living or nursing homes for seniors.
@IsomerMashups3 жыл бұрын
There are no windows.
@garethbaus54713 жыл бұрын
@@IsomerMashups still wouldn't be the worst nursing homes.
@jocelynn87952 жыл бұрын
Container house video got randomly recommended to me and now I have subscribed your channel and binge watching your videos for an hour.
@GinHindew1102 жыл бұрын
A bunch of small workshops would fit nicely inside a mall, there is space to store raw materials and finished goods, unfortunately, small businesses are not capable of buying this kind of places
@ScooterinAB2 жыл бұрын
I like that. There's this thing in Japan where people run mini-factories, and something like that could be done in dead malls. These factories do small scale and precision manufacturing that can't really be done by machine (allegedly). Something like this isn't going to replace massive factories in Asia, but it would reintroduce manufacturing capacities into urban spaces. Related to this, I had an idea for a shared construction space. Basically, this would be a business that could offer workshop space for personal construction projects and offer up tools that any given person would never be able to buy/would only use once. These could also include 3D and traditional printing spaces or even art supplies (like art suites that are too expensive for casual users to buy). I think something like that, only on a larger scale, could also work with your idea.
@jamesdelalla31433 жыл бұрын
I'm glad I found you. I'm just getting started, but I like your topic choices and your direct approach style. It's unusual that channel hosts are without sarcasm, uniformed opinion or simply grandstanding for their own celebrity. You appear to have the right touch. I'm looking forward to hearing more.
@timothydavis83882 жыл бұрын
I find it absurd and hilarious just how many different buildings you were able to fit inside of a single mall parking lot
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
You find productive accommodating and accessible creativity absurd. And what do you consider blocks of empty environment-crushing concrete parking lots?
@hoodiebryan43812 жыл бұрын
@@inaruboricua I think he's in agreement with you
@timothydavis83882 жыл бұрын
@@inaruboricua bruh...
@timothydavis83882 жыл бұрын
@@inaruboricua What I find absurd is how massive parking lots are, and how the space they occupy can be used for so much better stuff... Please check your condescension at the door, or at least save it for your opponents.
@jayski94103 жыл бұрын
I can't believe I'm old enough to remember a time before there were shopping malls, and now I'm seeing the end of shopping malls. I used to work for SpaceX and we used to use the parking garages of the old Hawthorne Mall for employee parking and ride shuttle buses to the main plant. But I'll bet someday that defunct mall will become part of the plant even though it's not right nextdoor.
@thevikingbear23432 жыл бұрын
"Malls are Dying since the 90's" NYC: -BUILDS THE WESTFIELD MALL UNDER THE 911 MEMORIAL -BUILDS THE HUDSON YARDS
@inaruboricua2 жыл бұрын
Suburban malls are dying faster.
@512TheWolf5122 жыл бұрын
It's all about that capitalism, tragedies be damned
@edumaker-alexgibson2 жыл бұрын
Excellent use of John Malkovitch. I live in Reading, UK and sadly only heard about the Zombie experience just before it closed, what a superb idea!