Century III Mall - A Dead Mall Built on the Ashes of Pittsburgh’s Steel Industry-Expedition Log # 14

[@sal]

My 2019 Century III Sequel (Shows the Abandoned Bits!) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX-ZfXulqtSqfJo The Abandoned Sears at Century III - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqSxc2tpl7d_lc0 March 2024 Edit: Demolition has begun at Century III. I will have one final video on the mall at some point. Thank you all for the views over the years, this is the end of an era. April 11 2019 Edit: The mall is now shuttered, and I have released the sequel to this video (See Below for links), plus a video touring the inside of the abandoned Sears. Thank you all so much for the engagement on this video! July 6 2018 Edit: The developers of Century iii weren't celebrating the third Centennial...they were ushering it in. They were looking to the future in a celebration of 1976-2076. Clearly they should've done more research. I should've been more clear about this in the video! Also, the Sherriff's sale was postponed yet again, and this time until September! June 4 2018 Edit: It appears that the sheriff's sale has been postponed until July: www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2018/06/04/Struggling-Century-III-Mall-sheriff-s-sale-west-mifflin/stories/201806040069 ----- It was just announced that Century iii will be going up for sale at Sherriff's auction. While this doesn't necessarily mean it is closing for good, it can go one of a few ways. The new owner may try to revitalize it, or they may raze, to create something new. At this point it's still unknown, but time will tell. Edit: As sharp sighted Dan Zunko has noticed, I mistakenly stated that Wicke’s Furniture replaced the old Gimbels top floor in *1977*...Of course I meant 1997, but I mis-spoke...I said 1977 in the narrative, but again, I meant 1997!! I also said that Gimbels opened Aug must 1, 1979, but I meant 1980. Sorry for the confusion!!! Thanks Dan!! pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/04/12/century-iii-mall-sheriffs-sale-posted-notice/

[@tyralikadiamondstar8960]

Sal Can you please give us another update if you hear anything else about this

[@sal]

Of course. One the sale goes through I’ll be keeping an incredibly close eye on it. I *may* revisit on my way out to Ohio again

[@rubym357]

Saw on Ace's channel this morning. There'll be a sheriff's sale in June from what he reports.

[@sal]

Yep, I made a sticky comment at the top of the comments here. Hopefully the new owners bring some life back to it.

[@joestewart8914]

Nobody can say that this mall is not EPIC in every way. It was overwhelming in 1979 when it opened and it is an EPIC failure now.

[@sdimartino]

I always get sad watching videos like this. I'm a child of the 80's, and I spent a good portion of my childhood in places like this. Going to the arcade, getting an Orange Julius or a hot dog on a stick, hanging out with friends, etc. To see these places now rotting, empty, and desolate, I feel like I'm losing a piece of my childhood. It's heartbreaking. Thanks for the amazing video.

[@sal]

It’s utterly heartbreaking how far these malls have fallen...thank you so much for watching! Tons more on the way!

[@MultiBrad777]

Sergio Di Martino in DEED.....But the vast number of these malls that were built are identical... and from the same timeframe.... our great memories were cloned :)

[@Dxxxxxxx85]

Same here... brings good memories

[@jaimebranam]

Sbarro's

[@nativetexanful]

I feel the same way you do when I watch these videos. I see these empty malls so eerily quiet and imagine what they were like when they were thriving and full of people shopping for clothes and other things. Where I live there are some malls that are still open, but many of the shops are empty. They're just hanging by a thread.

[@lizzierome1581]

Century three Chevrolet Lebanon church road Pittsburgh minutes from the mall! Who else remembers that jingle? It's been seared into my memory.

[@thegmack100]

Lizzie Rome when I heard it I forgot that it’s been forever since actually seeing those commercials. Seared into your memory is correct because it seems like yesterday lol.

[@MrTzcat]

Bendix Olds jingle is one I remember the best.

[@len-zeplin480]

Yep, We Remember it. Maybe C3 will get a Bailout like GM did. (They're too big to Fail) So we're told.

[@loumac2955]

The jingle still exist for Century 3 Chevrolet and every time I hear it, I add Minutes from the Mall. I loved this mall, in it's prime it was beautiful but in fairness many malls in Pittsburgh have survived the change in shoppers habits and some, like Ross Park Mall and Robinson Mall continue to do well.

[@sarahlynch4777]

I just sang it as I read your comment lol

[@thed.i.ytinyhouseguy136]

You know a location is done for when the first thing you see is a Spirits Halloween store sign.

[@mixingrecords]

The D.I.Y Tiny House Guy fax

[@Deenique16]

Lol that's not true

[@KK-ex5zu]

Yeah no doubt, or in the south where I'm from they'll turn an old Sears or Macy's into a huge gun store or a huge fitness store that nobody uses!

[@MrEZE36]

Very true, these places get desperate for revenue and will approve short term 2 month leases

[@Ego-de4dt]

No truer words have ever been spoken.

[@darlenebruce679]

The last time I was in JCPenneys, I looked out into the emptiness of the mall with tears. Remembering how many times I waited for my daughter to finally come down those stairs. So sad, but a lot of good memories.

[@dontellgucci1117]

I was at this mall Christmas shopping in 1982 it was decorated so beautiful. This is sad to see

[@TralfazConstruction]

Malls around the country became the town squares of their day. The heyday of the malls in southeastern Pennsylvania and into New Jersey was the mid-2000s and then began the rapid decline. King of Prussia Mall is still battling the headwinds of online commerce but there are no guarantees. That area is affluent and can yet sustain a large mall complex. I'll even take a ride out there, twenty-three miles away from where I live, to enjoy the hustle and bustle.

[@UFOROX]

I worked at this mall in the 80s. And it was a special place during the holidays.

[@Mojj2099]

UFOROX wow that’s crazy me and my dad went there a few times couple years ago. Every time there was only a few people shopping never seen it busy

[@good151]

This video literally made me cry. I remember going there with my mom and my brother when it first opened in 1979. I was 18 at the time. I remember being on the second floor and looking over at the workers who were still putting in the food court. I have so many memories there with not only my Mom, who passed in 1983, but also with my own kids. This was such a beautiful mall and it had everything you could possibly be looking for. The hours I spend in the record stores haha Thank you for sharing this. While the Mall may be closed up for good now...the memories can never be taken away.

[@thomasrpoulsen]

God bless you LouAnn

[@Tiffers-o7t]

Makes me cry too

[@Ironcabbit]

Seems like it was a very central mall - and famous due to Dawn of the Dead - so why did it die so finally and where’s the investment to resurrect it?

[@Victoria_Marie]

I teared up a little bit at 17:34 I remember running up that ramp as a kid the "puppy store" was right around there actually closer to the food court if I recall and after we left there we went over to Sears.

[@AskWlat]

Victoria Marie that was my routine with my mom too: go look at the puppies before we leave and go home.

[@christiankatic5408]

You and me both. I remember doing the same thing!

[@shinomustdie]

You remember that parrot that had in there. It used to scare me lol

[@ericacorrea1939]

Yes the puppy store😭

[@NickFerry]

No idea what it was about this video, but I was stuck to watching it - I'll chalk it up to deep existential thought with a heavy dash of better days gone by - btw, I have never been to this mall and the last time I was in PA I was stuck on the turnpike for hours - but not everyone can say they've made a snowman in the middle of the PA turnpike - so I got that going for me, which is nice - great video and even better story telling - If you're interested in more dead malls check out east town mall in Green Bay, Wisconsin - drop in and I'll give you a tour

[@sal]

I love you. Thank you so much for watching and please stay tuned and sub for more!

[@obaniehia]

a bit late for a reply but... you didn't miss much...

[@jab69420]

I made a pb&j sandwich on the pa turnpike so I doubt many can also say that

[@beegee80]

I get caught in a loop of watching dead mall videos. I find them really relaxing. I don't know why. They're just super fascinating to me.

[@connartistt8]

@@beegee80 same, I just found them yesterday and I’m addicted

[@davethomas8978]

I'm an old man now, but I remember watching the slag being dumped while shopping at the Haines' store. This was decades before the mall was built. I also shopped at the mall from time to time... Thanks for the walk down memory lane...

[@sal]

You’re welcome, Dave! Thank you for watching!

[@davethomas8978]

♥

[@nohandle227]

You're not alone Dave....It was wild at night...almost the whole top of the slag dump glowed red....

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

Happy new year Dave Thomas and Robert.a.ziemba

[@coach714]

Dave Thomas, the Wendy's guy?!?!

[@leisasmith4983]

Some day I wish someone would see the vision I've had for many years as I've watched these malls of yesteryear phasing out...as a baby boomer I see such amazing potential in these buildings for all inclusive living. They've done it across America with old abandoned schools with much success. These malls could provide housing along with eateries, hair salons, Walmarts etc...everything a person could need for everyday living. There would be common areas similar to indoor parks. The sky is the limit and these abandoned malls could be the most amazing all inclusive living communities. Someone could make a fortune!

[@braddocke.hutton7392]

I like this idea. Some day they'll look back and think we were idiots for letting these places die.

[@kimberlys655]

Here in Austin, a recently closed mall has transitioned into a beautiful community college campus. An old escalator has been turned into half of it...a stairway...and then the other half of it is now a bunch of really cool wooden seating with giant pillows.

[@SR-oc7fc]

Sign me up. I'd dump my mother (who is currently living with me after losing her house) there in a heartbeat!

[@tjroelsma]

Your idea is good, but it has a few problems. A lot of these malls are built on old garbage dumps and other parcels of land where all kinds of questionable materials are dumped in the past. So to see if a mall can be converted to housing would require some deep investigation on the history of not only the mall, but also of the land it is built on, in order to prevent serious health problems.

[@spazzman90]

My wife and I would love to live in one of these. Open the food court, have a grocery store, open some smaller retail spaces. Bingo. Hell of a lot more attractive than your standard apartment life.

[@wvmontani]

This was painful to watch. My girlfriend-turned-wife and I used to shop there in the early 1980s. It seemed like almost a magical place to us. Some of the best years of our lives. :(

[@michaelsmith9308]

You just need to visit club 33:) Game on:)

[@whatmikedoes7358]

me too bud, my girlfriend turned wife and I used to work there as well as shop and hang out, definitely a magical place for us. boy that place sure would get buzzing during the holidays huh. and the weekends in the summer were fun.

[@amsandison5015]

WVMontani I agree with you 100% My friends and I used to live at the mall in the 80’s and 90’s it was like an entirely different world I live in Canada so they don’t stay empty long they just get torn down 😥

[@williamt5837]

I remember shopping there with my Mom and Grandma

[@deendrew36]

BorisaRed they probably spent a lot of time together there! In the 80’s and 90’s, teens spent lots of time in malls because it was cheap.

[@ddelaney712]

Now I know what people say about the soul leaving a place. I can almost hear the past echoing in the hallways. The future? Silence.

[@davidallen3158]

I remember when you could spend the whole day in the mall.

[@BiffBallbag]

You still can, you'll just be by yourself.

[@Cj-hj6rm]

@@BiffBallbag rip

[@garnettsean]

Yes indeed

[@mattbenz99]

This video is such a great explanation about why Americans are so tense right now. They are literally seeing a way of life that lasted for almost a century disappear in front of their eyes. The mall was a trademark of American prosperity, and they are disappearing all across the country. This along with the de-industrialization of the industry that created this prosperity is making people panic. The times, they are changing. Reminds me of the song Allentown by Billy Joel. We have a generation that feels lied to, they feel like the American dream is outside of their reach. "For the promises our teachers gave, if we worked hard, if we behaved. So the graduations hang on the wall, but they never really helped us at all."

[@MediocreRebel]

Yeah, I think we're screwed sometimes. Too expensive to eat healthy, too expensive for doctors, can barely go out on the weekends because theres no extra money to do that.

[@mattbenz99]

@@MediocreRebel Ya, I truly do believe that we are going to need quite radical reform in the next few decades. Companies no longer need the amount of workers they once did, and this is an issue that will compound as time goes on due to automation. Apple is currently the biggest company in the world, but they don't employ 10% of the amount of people Ford did when they held that title in the 60s. We are heading into a world where there simply are no available jobs for people. This is why we need a radical rethink because nothing from Marxism to Libertarianism is capable of solving this issue. Those ideologies are dependent on the working class already existing to help. UBI, in some form, is the inevitable future

[@rogermoody2660]

mattbenz99 [Canadian Gambit] Craft beer bar!

[@len-zeplin480]

Funny Thing is Allentown was Recorded at the High Point of Mall Prosperity.

[@SebisRandomTech]

Happy to see someone else who appreciates Billy Joel!

[@christiankatic5408]

I grew up about a half-hour south of Century III and this just sent such vivid memories flooding back in. The last time I remember it actually being busy (which was notable because it was such a big mall, and even then - the 3rd floor barely had anything in it) my dad and I were Christmas shopping for my mom when I was probably 6 years old. Appropriately and somewhat ironically, I remember the song, “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman playing as we held hands, walking back through the concourse. It’s funny. I feel like when I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to grow up, and now I’m watching this video, daydreaming about being a kid again. It’s those memories that myself and so many others hold that make places like this more than just a building. Thanks for taking the time to shoot this!

[@slipvelocity33]

My grandfather used to take my family there in the 80s and early 90s.. was such a nice place

[@CMB76]

Thank you for this very insightful and well produced video. I was 3 years old when this mall opened, and went there my entire life. At one point they had a couple nice arcades, two toy stores, two music stores, a great little hobby shop, etc. It was THE place to go for everybody. There was a stage downstairs with live shows where I saw Scooby Doo and even Richard Simmons. My Ex wife worked at about 4 different stores there, and I could see the decline even back around 2008 and 2009. All of the stores she worked in are now gone. The last time I was there was about two years ago, and I can't believe how much worse it has gotten. Century III will always be part of my great childhood and young adult memories.

[@whorton4]

Pretty sad isn't it. A lot of us baby boomers feel the same way about all sorts of stuff that is gone now. I know how you feel.

[@matto8o9]

It's sad to see such places that were full of activity and community go by the wayside like some old shoe just so some endless cycle of a wastefully society can just continue to spin it's wheels without any real progress! In my opinion society is devolving into a new kind of chaos!

[@adamtereska8734]

Part of the problem that hasn't been mentioned is it's not just criminal thug activity, but people have simply changed. If it can be ordered online, why go to a store, where there are people, lines to wait in, finding a place to park, etc.? A big blind eye is turned to the flat lazification of humanity not wanting to go get something when it can be delivered to your door. For me, if I order something online, it is because the stores around me don't have it or it is something out of production. If it is in the stores, I go to the stores. People need to get off their lazy asses and go to the stores and buy the products they want.

[@chucksluver84]

I just don't understand what is so wrong with filming dead dying malls. We just preserving history and nothing else.

[@sal]

Exactly! But most mall owners/management fully understand that their malls are decaying, and I guess it’s an effort to portray *only* the material they advertise. They only want the public to see their website, commercials and PR materials, which were created when the mall was most likely at its prime. But...why entice someone to a mall that, in reality, is dark and unsafe? We all produce these videos to bring light to the subject and maybe...just maybe...make the mall owners do something about it.

[@GeneStarwindAMVS]

The thing is that the malls look at it being negatively affecting them by showing the mall in decline. It hurts them from getting future tenants and it puts it in a bad light. While I do see it as preserving and remembering a place where many of us have gone before, they don't see it like that. Some malls says its an invasion of privacy for the workers and the people shopping at the mall to film as you don't have permission to film there. I have a feeling Marley Station is heading the same way. It's losing more and more stores as it goes a long. I don't think mall management cares. Then again most of these business don't care and try to get away with charging top dollar when amazon, target, and walmart are beating you on prices. BestBuy even price matches now and that's the only reason they're surviving.

[@goopah]

We've got two old malls here in Bismarck (Kirkwood opened in 1969 and Gateway around 1980), and while Kirkwood is not thriving, it is doing pretty well, with very few vacant spaces. But Gateway has been struggling for years now. Amazingly, because of their valiant efforts, they've been filling their spots with various doctors' offices and other non-mall associated shops, and they are staying alive. They even managed to stick a new top facade around the whole mall, and re-tar the entire parking lot, which can't have been inexpensive for them.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Sal , They won't do anything about it. It's like trying to sell or rent a home no one wants. Best thing to do is demolish it and put homes, hotels or office buildings there. Indoor malls are no longer en vogue. They are perfect places for public sex, if you have that fetish

[@scorpion8rage]

It's not public sex if no one is there lol.

[@hectorfr91]

I guarantee this video will hit EVERY GEN Xer right between the eyes, ALL THE MEMORYS. These kids today have no idea on that which they missed out. I LOVED THE 80s it was an amazing time to be out and about with your friends. SAD SAD SAD.

[@RF-vg5kv]

This makes me sad, I spent many of weekends at centry 3 mall as a kid, it was the place to go.

[@daedum3177]

I couldn't agree more. My god I spent entire weeks at my local mall in the late eighties and early nineties during the summer when school wasnt in session.

[@angelalopez8897]

Wish we could have stayed in the 80s forever!

[@JJ-wk5wy]

I loved the 80's. I'm an 80' s kid. I still have great memories of going shopping at the mall with my mom. Being an 80' s teen probably would have been fun too.

[@ShepherdsSolarGuy]

I wish I could’ve lived during the 80’s during these teen years. I’m 18 and everyone just seems so out of touch with reality and don’t know how to socialize. It’s really said and I feel like I would have thrived back then.

[@BBQDad463]

I am 71. We used to go Christmas shopping at Century III Mall. It was quite a vibrant place to shop. It was so much better than the old days of walking up and down city streets at night, in the cold, the wind, the rain, and the snow. I hated trying to cross streets jammed with traffic. In the mall, it was safe and warm, one could take one's time, sit on a bench and rest for a minute. It is sad to see such properties, built at such great expense, reduced to hollowed-out, derelict hulks, waiting to be demolished. What a waste!

[@rachelrivera91]

Pretty sad!

[@fbarrios99]

I was the first mall manager of Century III and have many fond memories of a great shopping center. When we opened the mall was the second largest mall in the country after another DeBartolo mall in Cleveland called Randall Park Mall. My 4 years there were instrumental in helping me and my career of 35 years in mall management. Sad to see it know but time moves on and nothing stays relevant forever.

[@jerrybowker2018]

Wow. I lived nearby this Mall when I was a kid and hung out there alot ( this was early to mid 80's) and have some cool memories of that place. To see it like this now decades later is a freaking trip. It was beautiful in it's time. I hope it gets a fresh shot at being something again.

[@sundance0825]

Why aren't the old malls rehabbed as an apartment complex for elderly and disabled? Even working folks who appreciate affordable living which provides a few restaurants, shops, offices. Maybe a theater, indoor pools, gyms. The open spaces in the middle would be a wonderful community type atmosphere since the weather here is 90% of the time is just plain drearily miserable.

[@theangryitalian7922]

Lisa Anne Grillo because that idea makes too much sense and no money 💰

[@ryerwilkes3051]

My dog came from the pet store that used to be there RIP Thor you were a good dog

[@limoman4125]

I came searching for centry lll videos a couple years ago!! I came across sal!! Became a fan of his videos!! And still watch to this day!! After watching tonight premiere and knowing they are in the process of starting demo on the mall decided to come back and watch the videos sal did!! I know noone will see this comment but sal thank u this 3 part video u did on our mall tells the story the best and i along with lots of others i know appreciate what u did

[@gregboone6158]

As a person that used to work in malls for yrs. I feel sad when I see something like this. What else can I say.

[@good151]

I agree. I started in the food court then moved on to Gimbels. Its heart breaking to watch.

[@beulahboi]

This place NEEDS to be an indoor Water park/Go Kart track/Playground for adults. Would be a huge money maker especially in the winter.

[@sal]

I’d pay dearly to patronize this place.

[@haydensteder7348]

The problem with that is that kennywood is right near this place, so it would cause competition that kennywood would inevitably win.

[@beulahboi]

I disagree, especially because Kennywood is closed half the year. That's like saying Sandcastle wouldn't work. It has :)

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

there was a huge indoor park called Old Chicago. It failed. Being not far from 4 million people, too.

[@randyhutchinson9910]

beulahboi yup

[@budstephens7239]

Dammm if you are not a professional film maker you outta be !! Perfect video , I’m a trucker for over 40 years and have delivered to thousands of places and still remember bringing a load of floor tile when they we’re doing one of those big stores... damm that back ground sound track was creeping me out !!!!

[@sal]

Thanks Bud!! Tons more content on the way!

[@johnmartin2510]

yeah that apocalyptic ambient music was awesomely creepy...

[@mattiep81]

As someone who lived in Pittsburgh for a few years, I used to frequent this mall. I loved the comic shop, which has since relocated to the Water Front area, as well as a couple of the other stores. This was in 2012 to 2018. It's sad to see how far it has fallen in just the short time since I've been gone.

[@Blahbevava]

Dead Malls = Proof few people have any money anymore to go out and just buy random things for fun. 80s and 90s were the golden years for consumers. Where do people "hang out" anymore? Everyone just seems to live inside now days on their screens. It's sad and disturbing.

[@natehawkins2910]

Mr. Extreme So right! In late ‘89-‘97 Our local New Towne Mall was bustling, fun and colorful with miles of Neon tubes and packed with people. I’ll never forget how fun that place was. Just beautiful with all of the colorful neon signs and clean appearance! Such a shame that everything today is starch and without character or pride.

[@ewfuoywoef32pri]

@@natehawkins2910 Time to turn inwards, and fix that forgotten town center. Malls were a ruse.

[@mikechermonitz3065]

Right? Or......ebay

[@davis6123]

In Central Indiana, malls are still the go to spot for high schoolers and college kids. With all the wealth north of Indianapolis, the malls still do very well.

[@eduardoBR1991]

It's funny, but I kinda miss going shop for my computer parts. Testing the stuff before actually deciding to buy. The only way to do this today, is if I'm buying a car, which doesn't happen often since I take my time before exchanging cars.

[@vids4791]

I had a piece of pizza at the Italian Oven, the last food vendor in the "food court" right before it closed.

[@simondaniel4028]

Italian Village Pizza! Oh man that was the highlight of the mall when I was a kid. Still a few locations around PA. Squirrel Hill location is great, and McKnight too!

[@softuniverse7771]

@@simondaniel4028 i can taste it. their sicilian slices were great

[@stevenboswell220]

YOUR VOICE IS PERFECT FOR THIS

[@karenkasulke2294]

It really is!

[@rachelrivera91]

Like probably many of your subscribers or viewers in general, I had this profound sense to come back to this video to re view it once again. I don’t know if it’s just the fact that this video had more than a million views but it’s a video production that stood the test of time. 6 years after the video released, you’re still seeing more people viewing this video. This was one of your masterpieces. This video will continue to engage viewers especially the fact that the Century 3 Mall has to be probably one of the most explored dead or abandoned malls. It’s up there. People are still curious about this mall. And the fact that it’s in the demolition stage. It's a sad fate for C3 Mall and people are reminiscing about their time there. Many content creators on You Tube have created videos of this mall. It’s a beautiful aesthetically designed mall from one of the great architects of that time period. Who can resist watching videos of C3 Mall? IMR! I couldn’t. I kept coming back to this video several times and felt the intense desolation of this once thriving building that had life in its beginning during the 80s and 90s. And then at the time of your exploration, it started to perish, clinging to its life but with no signs of life left to live. The classical musical tune in the beginning really fits in with its desolate state. Thank you Sal for putting this masterpiece for us viewers and future generations to see . To see how this mall was once a cherished cultural icon that reflected the prosperity of the 80s and 90s when people went and gathered at the malls. Sad to see many malls have died and many today are in the brink of dying. Peace be with you Sal.

[@kristensorensen2219]

These are traded like bad baseball cards. With the nationwide homeless disaster these places could be home to these people. The elderly would benefit from living in a giant indoor community where there is indoor space to walk and socialize. A new kind of community could be invented to use these spaces.

[@Lynx112]

@Rose Treiger they like to hurt people and take their things? Homeless aren't criminals, criminals are criminals so until every homeless person Has been on trial for something they may or may not do, same as everyone else may or may not, for example, shoplift, nobody should judge an unfortunately growing number of people by the actions of a few. They ask for money and by lord do they get a hard time, one lady I spoke to got kicked around by 4 guys because they thought she was a lone homeless guy, like that makes it ok, and it was entertaining to them. She wasn't a drunk or an addict she had fallen on hard times since universal credit was introduced, as have many people. It would be OK for either homeless or elderly not both, or better neither. It's just that seeing a huge building going to complete waste and people draining more money into it gives me the chills when I walk past so many homeless people daily. Think of all the other things that could have been done with the building, rather than keeping throwing money away on having it stood there unused. It's sick!

[@bochillin6712]

You might want to start a chain of kindness just pick one off the street and have them move in with you

[@MediocreRebel]

I was literally just thinking about it being repurposed as a living space too. Too bad though, because the people in power only care about transferring our funds into their swiss bank accounts.

[@charlotteskiftun753]

Agreed....very poor management of resouces

[@davewyler1417]

And who pays for it and maintains the large building? Time for a reality check, use some common sense. Nothing like making a problem worse. Geez

[@davidturner2113]

That has happened to a lot of shopping centers in the country. There isn't enough customers to support them anymore. Online shopping has hurt them a lot. But when I was a kid we didn't have online shopping and the malls were full. Our country still had a lot of manufacturing jobs and the steel industry was still strong. All of that is gone now, it's too bad. Some economists have said our economy has shrunk a lot since the 1970's and stagnated; and much of it is never coming back. That is why there are so many people with out jobs or low paying jobs. We have actually been in a depression for 35 years in this country. Of course you will never get the government to acknowledge this or the politicians.

[@natehawkins2910]

David Turner Agreed!! I remember by fruit of the looms saying “made in USA” on the tag and pretty much everything else! It’s so sad what the globalist agenda has done to the USA. I miss the late 80’s and 90’s so bad!!

[@leonidas14775]

Wages haven't kept up with inflation and department stores now have to compete with people who flip stuff from alibaba and DHgate online.

[@melgon25]

Gone are the days of people coming out of high school and getting high paying manufacturing jobs (or otherwise). Good jobs to support families and grow the economy. Trades are the way to go. My husband talks of the shortage all the time. 3-5 yr apprenticeships. But all you say is so true!

[@generalkickass6385]

You spoke true facts

[@chaddeez8446]

America has consumed itself. We're living in a different era now. As a kid you keep thinking things will get better with time and age like there's no stopping us, but things have really changed in the 21st century and especially since 9/11.

[@goldwinger5434]

Malls are their own worst enemies. If I go to a mall where I live or go to one 2,000 miles away, the stores are exactly the same. The malls actively worked to drive out the interesting local shops.

[@prodbycams2130]

Looks like the interesting local shops got the last laugh. Malls aren't what they used to be.

[@redriveral2764]

Interesting to watch the progression. Downtown shopping was destroyed by regional malls, now malls are being destroyed by internet shopping.

[@Geno2733]

@@redriveral2764 ....And Retail Cities popping up around the corpses of the malls.

[@belindaphillips2779]

@@prodbycams2130 we have beautiful malls in Houston Tx

[@belindaphillips2779]

@Hope Ful no Amazon hasnt taken over yet

[@jasmirris]

We had Fiesta mall here where I live that opened in 1979 and closed January last year. This video brought back so many memories because the buildings looked so similar as well as much of the inside, though it was updated a lot right before the nosedive. Now I think there's just a Dillards Clearance Center and thats it; they bought the space so no wrestling that out of their hands. The odd thing is that just before the mall closed (probably 5 years) the city decided to revitalize the area and make it a district where people could...grab a burger and coffee? A lot of the area had already died and is still linked off but there are random places here and there and it is really busy being on a main road plus close to a community college. I know there were plans to make the mall into a medical education campus (maybe for the several hospitals near it) but I have yet to see it.

[@jeffreythompson7110]

I like how you give us a history on the property. it’s nice to hear the details. thanks .

[@sal]

The history is my first priority. Anything that I can dig up on the place I visit is just as interesting to me as the place itself. Thanks so much for watching! Stay tuned, lots more coming!

[@mangoldm]

I was in high school when this mall was built. It was so futuristic. I loved to go there to buy Gary Numan tapes and play video games.

[@unit2655]

Michael Mangold You Sir, have a great taste in music. #tubewayarmy

[@christianfreedom-seeker2025]

Michael Mangold who the hell is Gary Numan???

[@unit2655]

Anonymous Libertarian look up the video "Cars" on KZbin. He's most popular for that. He was New Wave/techno.

[@dalethelander3781]

"Here in my car, I feel safest of all. I can lock all my doors, it's the only way to live. In cars."

[@brötzmannsax]

I would never admit it to anyone if I bought a Gary Numan tape, crappy taste!

[@melgon25]

Great video....positives: calm nice voice, no swearing. Swearings not a huge deal if it’s not excessive but I can’t let my kids watch then. I can let my kids watch this video. Thank you. That mall is eye opening. I live not far from Milwaukee WI. Our mall is oh so similar to that mall. Smaller. One story. So many stores closed, things blocked off, access to mall closed off from stores. Stores opening up as more of a separate from the mall thing. Really too bad. The good thing is, someone bought it, they are doing a ton of work. Got all the kiosks out. Are working on getting the “no name” stores out. I have my strong doubts it can truly be revived but seeing malls like this make me thankful they’re trying I guess. Thanks for a nice video.

[@sal]

Hey Mel! The only piece of mine that includes swearing is my Forest Fair Pt. 2 video, and after the first ten minutes, it’s back to normal. My narration will never include excessive swearing if any. Many apologies, but it’s a heads up for you and the kiddos. Thanks for watching!

[@gregbrock4500]

Cool yet sad video. This place reminds me of two dead malls in Springfield, Missouri... my hometown. Nothing remains of Northtown Mall at Kearney & Glenstone, NE corner of the intersection. Parts of the South Oaks Center at Campbell & Walnut Lawn, NW corner are still visible.

[@jbrandan5605]

Great Vid - Thanks! The Pittsburgh area has always been my home and I had just graduated high school when this mall officially opened in 1979. It's hard to believe that it is (at least mostly) gone now.

[@HeatherExplores19]

This mall was beautiful when I was a kid, especially around Christmas time. :(

[@sds3306]

Heather Sparkles What happened to it?

[@museumandtravel]

YES

[@melvinbennett444]

@ mrt57....this mall didn't open until 1980 or so. Hornes dept store became an Anchor in 1986. What killed this mall and most malls, are the roving gangs of savages, which keep real purchasers away. And then the roving gangs of savages steal like crazy. People don't want to face up to the facts.

[@deathcheater9303]

Heather Sparkles I remember being excited as a kid to visit this mall.

[@melvinbennett444]

@ mrt57rn. The mall is in Allegheny County and there were no farms around that area for tens of miles. You are one big fat liar. And like there is a world of difference between 1979 & 1980. Most of the stores in this mall did not open up until 1980 moron. And I lived within 10 minutes of the this mall. So YOU STFU LYING POS/

[@chuckdieselkicksdisks2380]

You did your homework and you did an awesome job thanks again. Have gone to this mall since I was very little

[@mijiyoon5575]

That opening footage of the old *lava* molten *stuff* was great...THX for sharing that

[@ginnywilliams8159]

Loved this! Crazy maze mall. It’s fascinating how detailed and large they made these old malls. Great video!

[@elim7228]

It's not old.

[@robertholtz]

Good job on researching the history. It adds much more richness to the visuals. Thanks for bringing it to us.

[@HeatherExplores19]

Its so funny that they are trying to keep people from seeing how bad it is when it’s no secret.

[@daveruhe4031]

I'm sure it's for the benefit of the few remaining tenants. I remember when the mall was new and getting lost in it when I was young. I could never figure out what stores where in what wing and on what level. I think I got my first pair if ice skates there at the Hermann's Sporting Goods.

[@sal]

Thanks for watching!

[@akaAlexthekid]

Heather sparkles? Yeah she does ;)

[@erikr3180]

Heather Sparkles heather, can i marry you!

[@niccosanchez824]

I think it's odd that he claims that the security is so strict yet he has not one picture of any security 💭🤔

[@ArtistChibi]

.-. That advertisement. THAT ADVERTISEMENT FOR CHEVY! GAWD! I never thought I would ever hear that echo in my head ever again after leaving PA. ;-; That was throughout the 90s. I feel so old, right now.

[@treatngizzy]

The poor place was going downhill when I bought my wife's engagement ring back in 2000 or so.. seeing it now is wild. I pass it from time to time and wonder if there is anything still in there . The music playing in a totally empty space that big with all the echos is creepy and cool ! Needs to be a huge haunted house this year ;)

[@greggreg4072]

Cenobyte The poor place is sexy as boy butts

[@calithunder]

I have so much appreciation for people like you who help preserve history :)

[@robinvoskampbianco7335]

I live very close to here and remember when the "fires fell down the mountain". The Mall was always packed, back when everything was open. Thanks for the memories!!

[@DamfinoMR2]

Teared up a little watching this. Our 2 incredible malls that have been shut down for some years due to poverty, crime and the internet boom were amazing places to go as a child. Double decker carousels and excitement all around. Now we have no more video rental stores, race tracks are closing down... I wonder what else we're going to lose in the next few decades. Now I understand why my mom and dad used to reminisce about the "soda shop" days.... God help us.

[@sal]

Hey, make sure you check out my sequel to this! Episode 36, it’s fantastic! Episode 35 even covered the abandoned sears itself at century III

[@lovetodecorate7568]

Boy do I miss this mall😪. It was our best, largest and most fun to hang out in. I noticed it started going down hill when the Waterfront Mall in Homestead opened which I had a feeling it would. I have such fond nostalgia of this mall. There was a time when u couldn’t even get a good parking space, it was that popular and & busy. I had a buddy that worked at a jewelry counter in the middle of it. I recognized every scene shot in Mind Hunter. Such a shame.....😪😥😓

[@Kittydoc90]

In 1981, my husband, a freshly minted ensign in the USN, was stationed in Pittsburgh for 6 months. During that time, he purchased my engagement ring, 1/6 carat, at the Century lll Mall-the best quality stone he could afford rather than the largest. And then he proposed to me, a complete surprise as we’d only been dating for 5 months and "weren’t going to get serious" since he was going to be leaving for Pittsburgh. In fact, the day he proposed, I initially thought he’d come home to break up with me. We spent the first month of our marriage in "Pissburgh"-January 1982, the climate was lousy as was the general temperament of the citizens-economic times were very hard back then-and pollution was horrible. Melting snow turned into black-yes, black-ooze on the roads. Let’s just say I was glad when we left. Century lll Mall, built on that slag heap, was very close to our home and it was a place to go to walk around. The mall hasn’t survived but our 37 year marriage has-he’s still my best friend, ally, and love, and I dare say he feels the same way about me. Thank you for posting your exploration and including such a thorough history of the place. It’s brought back soooooo many memories.

[@elim7228]

I wonder if the locals would mind a pollution now, if it brings the lost jobs back. I think I know the answer. Congratulations on your marriage, people like you should teach nowadays women how to behave. Although, I don't think anything will help at this point.

[@elwin38]

Love conquers all..💖🧡🚢

[@Kittydoc90]

elwin38 😊

[@flamingapplepie1]

Som eOne we still have lots of jobs here they’ve just changed from industrial kind of jobs. We have lots of good hospitals here for example. People all go to Ross park mall because it’s the nicest, safest, and on the bus line. Ofc Ross park just lost its sears so we’ll see if that’s a bad sign for it...

[@LiveINyourGood54]

Kittydoc90.... sorry for you but at least you were there when the Steelers were still awesome and were playing championship football!

[@realazduffman]

That glass elevator at 10:49, you have no idea what a big deal that was when the place opened. Everyone had to ride it.

[@chaztheartist-66]

I was there for the opening year, 1979 and till I left home for the Navy in 1984. I shopped and cruised for my next girlfriend as a young teen, meeting who, one day, I thought would be the mother of my future children, Ginger. She was an Angel. We kept in touch, but didn't last as distance was too great. But Century III and Monroeville Mall was my stomping ground with an occasional visit to the Greengate Mall as well.

[@haydensteder7348]

This was absolutely amazing! Finally! A documentary on century III!

[@neightneight1280]

Documenting the decaying cathedrals of consumer CULTure is a worthy endeavor, sir. The vintage- audio makes it Art. Damn nostalgic for those who grew up around such grandiose places; I have such mixed feelings seeing a local hangout spot nearing extinction.. Thanks for the share!

[@ThatNateGuyOnYouTube]

Man you have so many videos I want to just sit down and BingeWatch as soon as I get a chance!!!

[@sal]

Yes!! You rock, dude!

[@as6110]

Sal I apologize for word vomiting all over the comments of the Town Mall of Westminster video. Idk how familiar you are with Carroll County, but I lived in Taneytown for 14 years. That mall was 10 min from my house.

[@sal]

Do it! The more coverage of these places the better!

[@matts2581]

Not just mirrored finish at the JC Penny's sign - but what looks like to be 'smoked mirror finish' - mega cool. :D And the brick, glass, and oak of the Montgomery Ward section was awesome! :)

[@llg3pe]

When I was 12 back in ‘82, I used to go there on Friday nights with my mother and grandmother. They bought a pendulum clock in the clock store which my mom still has today. It used to be packed with people and was booming back then. It was THE mall in Pittsburgh when it opened.

[@RB747domme]

This was painful to watch. It sent a shiver down my spine. It's like I was watching the beginning of the end for the American Dream. So sad. I've been to three dead malls now - one huge one in Illinois, which was massive and one of the largest in America back in the 1980s, full of people when I used to shop there in the late 80s. It's now got a dereliction order, and is due to be demolished. I've been to a couple more, in Vegas, and California. The hell is going on with malls these days? I can't blame online sales for the death of malls. Other malls elsewhere are doing just fine. I just think that location is so important, and those that rush to put up these giant malls in the 80s weren't really considerate enough as to where they put them and how much throughput they would get. The death of general Commerce in both the High Street and shopping malls, is concerning to me and every other American. I can't say that the odd refurbishment is going to change anything. They just have to be torn down and repurposed.

[@sal]

Do me a favor and watch my sequel to this. Episode 36 is way more comprehensive!!

[@pittsburghpirate58]

The American dream is now only for the top 1%. Thanks to working class and middle class voting for billionaire interests and not their own. All because the rich criminalize Latinos and African Americans and know that white middle and working class would rather see people of color get beat down than think about the real enemy.

[@HandlingItAll]

Wrong and wrong. The rich 1% didn't end this and aren't "beating people of color down" or anything or anyone, no one is--you must be a time traveler from the 50s and 60s back filthy hippie, back where you belong! You're totally deluded believing that kind of leftist shill brainwashed propaganda. People who say things like you have are the real anti-American losers of our generation and have bought a bill of goods that are a total lie. Go to a mall in the south like Grapevine Mills in the DFW area and you'll see 1000s of immigrants and other regular Americans enjoying the American dream on a weekend in a successful mall with successful american retail stores next to successful local and foreign naturalized business entrepreneurs. It's funny how all these leftist ran bankrupt cities and places are now squalid hell holes of feces, needles and homelessness and the conservative states whose cities welcome people with open arms have balanced budgets and are a success (you'll find a lot more conservative leaning or true liberal immigrants than the foolish totalitarian lying leftist ones on any good day as their religious beliefs have similar conservative values) But none of you would believe that to be the way things are in the south because you can't differentiate truth and reality of the times and current president from the lies and bullshit peddlers downing him and this nation on a daily basis. I lived up north and down south And know without a doubt people up north are the true ignorant bigots about half the rest of the nation to their left or right or sitting below their feet. They "think we are all just cousin marrying, racist, hateful, gun toting rednecks". What a joke... And yes, online commerce and social networking have killed regular public networking and most malls. They cannot compete with the prices in a retail box store in a mall as you can online. Sorry but it will never happen. Why waste the time and money to even go to a mall except for nostalgia when you can get it 40% cheaper sent to the house and not do so much as only lift a hand and finger to order it?

[@BGNOLA]

@@pittsburghpirate58 Corporations have bought the silence of the Left: all they have to do is slap a rainbow flag on their advertising one month a year and pay lip service to BLM, and they can get away with anything.

[@BGNOLA]

It's like the 21st century version of THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS.

[@BelleReign1]

I like how descriptive this video is. Most abandoned mall videos just explore without much explanation. Thank you.

[@sal]

Thanks Rachel! I take pride in my research...although I may revisit some malls or sites, and for these “sequels” I may not recite the history since it was done in the first one...

[@Counselor77]

I remember when Century III mall was built. We shopped there a lot and I delivered a lot of freight there, especially to JC Penney. In those days, you would think the mall was gonna be there forever.

[@SongLyricsHD]

I hope things turn around for this mall. Nice job too! Ive been watching a lot of your videos recently and i love how you giver a little history lesson before exploring! I think it's really awesome because i find that stuff really interesting!

[@loriloo1039]

Malls were a huge part of my childhood. My first job was in a mall. Thank you for the footage and memories!

[@nordicdraw]

You always capture the ghosts of better times. The carousel is lovely as with all your video chronicles the research is impeccable. You are the Ken Burns of Urban Exploration

[@sal]

Thank you so much!

[@carolinecook2922]

I hv such great memories at Century 3 Mall! Moved to Pittsburgh from Texas in 1986 and worked at kaufmanns, hornes, lazarus, gimbels, among alot of other companies in this mall. Sad to see it closed! This place was alwayssss busy! Esp with early morning walkers, which I actually saved a elderly mam from choking! I got discovered in this mall & became a model for 15 years as well. Took my kids here on weekends.Had great times there. Simon always closes their malls! Its about $$$. Thank god I hv fotos there.

[@guitarmdpittsburgh7139]

When I was a kid in the mid 1950's, it was a big treat to drive out to West Mifflin and watch the steel companies dump slag off the hill where Century III was later build.

[@sal]

I love this memory

[@phenomz28]

Word of advice, Sal. Next time you're setting up an undercover ID: Wear dress clothes and a tie; act like you belong wherever you are; be happy to meet security guards instead of running away from them and ask them questions instead of the other way around. Pretend you are a Real Estate Broker who has a client interested in purchasing the property. It wouldn't hurt to print up a few phony business cards to hand out. You will be welcomed everywhere.

[@sal]

Noted. They’ll never know what hit them.

[@Trim01]

It's a damn clever idea, but fair point as well.

[@anazavala585]

I agree its clever

[@kjjstone]

That is a great idea! I would use a respected real estate agency name and print out cards that looked like theirs, but with your number on them.

[@odettemariemoronez7977]

Great advice4 sal &whomever!🤨😘🙅‍♀️🤗😁💋good lookin out!

[@natalielbeauty4266]

I worked in this mall at Regis Salons. When I worked there it was on the decline and they eventually closed us and moved us to a salon in a near by strip mall. I remember the ceilings leaking and when you would call management they would ask if you wanted a tarp or a bucket. We knew it was going down hill and we would close eventually. I do miss working there though.

[@spuriouseffect]

nataliebeauty What year was that?

[@macadonis9242]

Hi cutie

[@darringraham2613]

natalielbeauty best times of my life was working in the mall

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

If you have a problem like this in a rental, you can deduct it off the rent. At least in Illinois and a residential.

[@slipknotie]

Using the moonlight sonata as your opening song .... Absolutely fabulous!!

[@scrapycoll]

It is a shame. Was a beautiful mall at one time. Sad to see all malls struggling partially due to online. It is expensive to rent mall space and pay employees. However you don't see cheaper prices when ordering online from the warehouses.

[@rrho6701]

This mall is dying because of the lack of vision of the owners. As you toured the place, idea after idea came to mind. First of all, there are significant universities in the area, not the least of which are Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh. Then the high-end / high tech businesses, such as Uber and Google. The high schools are not yet completely over-run, and operate with reasonable budgets, due to working and caring parents. People in the Western Pennsylvania still carry vestiges of the "old ways", where they care about themselves, their neighbors, their communities and their country. The property is also in fairly close proximity to tourist draws, such as the aforementioned Kennywood Amusement Park, Sand Castle water park, and the Pittsburgh proper attractions, like the museums, sports venues, etc. I could go on. This is a vanishingly rare combination, with which to start a commercial community. To start with, the mall is not in too bad of shape. This is, in part, due to the absence of the "roving gangs", and the like. It is somewhat out of the way, but this can be used to advantage. If I were in charge of the development plans (heh heh), I think I'd start with robotic competitions. This leverages Google, Uber and the schools. Area drone races, bot battles, and connected LAN gaming would bring a wide variety of intelligent and tech savy people, and be completely unattractive to those "roving miscreants" that y'all are afraid of. These competitions must be supported by refreshment suppliers, whose infrastructure is already in place. Then there are the tech retailers, such as Micro Center, Frys, maybe even a resurrected Radio Shack (how appropriate). Then comes the screen printers / clothing vendors, Shops for the significant others' of the competitors, the movie reopens for much the same reason. Then the maker space, and the various "experiences", exhibitions of culture, fantasy, sci-fi..., now decorate the place in a futuristic, scifi motif. The various levels suggest a space station, or a Disney-like future city. The space is there, the customers are there, all that's lacking is the innovative spark. Old mall shopping is gone. A few culture venues, such as the open-air specialty shops and restaurants, bars and boutiques are popping up at places like Market Square and the Lowe's waterfront. New tech venues and indoor walkabouts have not yet arrived. Here's the opportunity. This could be a destination; an area attraction. It can be developed organically, with little investment required. All it need is TLC and a vision.

[@sal]

Now *this* is forward thinking!

[@davidweihe6052]

The problem is, as you pointed out, that the nearby Waterworks Mall sucked the life from this mall. Keeping both alive would require a huge increase in business needs, and probably improved road access like the Waterworks was given. Pittsburgh was sized for its 600K population of the mid-1950s, but is now about 375K, although the county is about the same size, so the center is hollowing out. The bot battles and drone races could be done in the parking area; I used to use the parking area for the almost abandoned mall near Greensburg (~30 miles away for those not from the area) for model rocketry, as you had a vast unobstructed area.

[@412foto]

Funny thing is that for several years, I was a part of a high school robotics competition that actually did use the mall for the competition. The thought was to have it in a place where people walking through the mall could stop and interact with the kids and watch the competition. Even then, there was no foot traffic there so that kind of back fired but we had a bunch of empty store fronts we used for the competition pits, set up the competition arenas in the empty area near the escalators, etc. Ended up moving the competition to local community colleges and Cal U of PA. Mall wasn't even as vacant then and was still dead now really really dead. I drive through that area often still and even the roads around the mall are becoming almost undriveable with the size of the potholes and lack of upkeep. Can see photos from the robotics competition at: www.flickr.com/photos/botsiqswpa/albums

[@natehawkins2910]

“...all that’s missing is spark...” And money.

[@412foto]

Pittsburgh area has 5 very large malls...Century III is obviously a goner as shown in your video. Monroeville has quite a few empty store fronts and has had issues with violence so they are struggling. Mall of Robinson is in a busy retail area and doing decently. Ross Park Mall has super high end fashion and other brands like Nordstrom, LL Bean, etc although just lost Sears but getting a Lego store too. And then some geniuses thought they'd build yet another model and didn't see the writing on the wall that malls were declining...so the massive Pittsburgh Mills mall since with under 50% occupancy as well.

[@sal]

Pittsburgh Mills is my next destination!!! After I revisit Century 3 :)

[@cathywills97]

I used to go to Pgh Mills frequently. I hate to see what stores are left.

[@cathywills97]

@@sal oh please do!!

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

@Atheos B. Sapien it was built to get property taxes to pay for School Employees and government employees that's why these malls are built

[@corkey2004]

I'm shocked that this mall is basically closed. In the 1990's I participated in a craft show there. This was a highly coveted mall for craft shows. Huff Promotions had all the DeBartolo Malls in their back pocket to have shows. I know there were several incidents with gangs during that weekend show but I did very well selling my products.

[@sharonoffl1349]

This was a beautiful, thriving, busy mall where I shopped for many years. How sad.

[@esesenordenegro2064]

These kind of buildings, abandoned malls, could be used as futuristic places for movies... Or recycled buildings for offices.

[@good151]

In April 2018, filming took place in the old Macy's Furniture Gallery wing for the Netflix original series Mindhunter.

[@cherylsmith4826]

I think apartments or houses reconfigured into the existing space- I would live in a mall- never mow grass or shovel snow- little ponds & plants in the common space- hell yeah

[@MillerVanDotTV]

Tear them down and put solar panels fields there or plant trees.

[@crowmigration8245]

Easily my favorite dead mall channel now. How the heck do you only have 400 subs?

[@sal]

We all have to start somewhere Crow! Even though my KZbin channel is like...9 years old haha. But really, I’m dedicating myself now to the Expedition Log, and will continue to explore and work on my production value. Before we get to a million subs, I’ll give you OG status as an original Quitean :)

[@erinbricker-urbanhistorian5803]

:)

[@studioward9416]

Crow Migration, because Dan Bell has all the others.

[@MsThorne2009]

🎶”Century III Chevrolet Lebanon and Church Road, Pittsburgh. 🎶Minutes from the mall!” Every time I hear Century III this song pops in my head. Anybody that grew up in the Pittsburgh and Wheeling,WV area knows that commercial. 😂

[@Thghjfghjf]

This was my mall growing up, it’s so sad this mall used to be beautiful

[@BlueCollar850]

This place is a graveyard of the American Dream. I try to imagine the history of this building. The families Christmas shopping. The teenagers playing in the arcades. Young women buying makeup and shoes. One day this place will be a ghost; a reminder of what used to be.

[@MrMusicTop40]

Yup just like Rolling Acres in Akron Ohio became...very sad.

[@mamachicken1548]

It already is a ghost

[@davidcribbs367]

Yup, spent alot of teenage nights hanging out at Century 3 in early 90s

[@good151]

It was an amazing place to be. The mall decorated for Christmas was breathtaking. I spent many hours in the third floor arcade as well as the record stores. Kids today will never know the many hours you could spend going through album after album or, waiting in line for concert tickets haha Century III Mall is missed by many people. We do still have Monroeville Mall, where Dawn of the Dead, was filmed. It still seems to be doing well though the ice skating rink is no longer there.

[@nordicdraw]

It’s not possible to overstate the significance of any of these empty-ing, decaying, broken fossils. At the least Malls were communal, they were always our “first, last and in-between”. Malls were a strong part of our modern culture and they are experiencing a short life span. Literally pushed to the side at the push of a button and a delivery truck. By nature, I think people need these gathering places. Eventually it will be about more than just the most recent shiny purchase ordered while on the toilet.

[@sal]

It’s such a shame what’s happened to retail culture.

[@garygansbrubaker]

It's finding the easiest way to make a profit for their stockholders. Main Street/High Street shops said the same thing in the 1980s.

[@rrk426]

Adding the old ad audio in the background adds such a cool atmosphere that makes me shiver, nice idea

[@panampia]

This would make a great development for senior living

[@hertzair1186]

Pia Colucci : I agree...that would be an outstanding use, and a need...senior living complex, make it as luxurious as possible, and affordable.

[@galechicago325]

And windowless! If you ever worked at a store in a mall, you’d know that store would be the last place you’d want to live.

[@headiero]

I grew up in this mall. I was there all the time in the 1980's with my cousins. We would get so excited to go. Thank you for the research and history you put into this video. I'm so depressed now😥

[@headiero]

FFwF011 I moved to another state 20 years ago.

[@headiero]

FFwF011 It really is. In it's heyday it was a Goliath of a mall. Are you from the Pittsburgh area, or have ever visited Century III?

[@RT804]

This is a lot more informative than even the more popular dead mall series. Great job.

[@sal]

I love the “popular series” too. I just want the whole community to get along and build a huge database of mall info. The more the merrier!!! Thanks for watching!

[@johnfarrelly4753]

With all the different levels and large stores, this mall could have been turned into another Destiny USA, Mall and Entertainment center, with electric go kart track, ropes course and other active entertainment. Last time I was at Destiny they had to triple the size if the parking lots. Perfect place in the winter for the whole family. Century 3 with indoor ice skating and additional hock rink, fitness centers, sports medicine clinic, other things related to living.

[@enroachingentei3474]

2015: We went to century III mall. I was with my parents and it was a really nice mall. It’s a shame how much that this mall has changed in just 3 years.

[@Boccaccio1811]

5:56 - you can’t have the true mall atmosphere without a bird flying around inside =)

[@sal]

Sooo true. God I miss this mall...

[@Boccaccio1811]

Sal - Yeah, I guess I should be grateful that the malls I go to are still open. Then again, I live by Woodfield Mall which is one of the largest in the US, so hopefully it’s not going anywhere anytime soon

[@CarlNeimeyer]

That last beautiful view was my everyday view I took for granted 18 years ago when I would walk out of Sears to the food court for lunch.

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Carl Neimeyer , Someome actually shopped at Sears? 😂

[@Robinsnest219]

We live near South Hills. I used to take my kids shopping here in the 80s and early 90s. So sad to see a once thriving shopping mall so deserted.

[@laurieguzman5577]

Thanks for being a risk taker! I haven’t been there for years since moving away in 87. I am so sad to see the condition of this once beautiful Mall! I still think it’s worth saving/restoring. Thanks for sharing!

[@usaturnuranus]

I was thinking along the same lines - the interior looks like it's been pretty well taken care of.

[@oldmr.boston1237]

Exceptionally well made, the background info put this vid. over the top. Thanks Sal

[@sal]

Thank you for the kind words!! Lots more on the way!!

[@sal]

Also, be sure to check out the update (sequel) to this video. Episode 36 shines in comparison. We also get inside the abandoned section.

[@markdrukenbrod9475]

Sal, liked and subbed. Thanks for the history. You really document these places, unlike many others. Outstanding!

[@johnw2026]

I remember when i was a boy there was a Montgomery Ward mall down in Little Rock, Arkansas. For awhile that was where i'd go see the eye doctor, then we'd eat and shop. It closed, and i kinda miss it.

[@jamesmcdunn]

Bravo, Salvatore! You do a nice job researching your expeditions and providing Voice-over, rather than just the "run-and-gun" that a lot of people, do. I like the creepy music through it, too. It does amaze me how malls look alike. I ilive in Schaumburg, IL (suburb of Chicago), home of Woodfield Mall. Hopefully, I won't see you doing an expedition there soon!

[@sal]

I’ve come a seriously long way since ExLog 14...make sure to catch up to ExLog 69!

[@keithd.glasgow809]

Sal, you produced an excellent documentary - it is rare in you tube presentations like this to have some intelligent narration based on actual historical facts. You are to be commended. I found this very haunting for several reasons. I grew up in Pennsylvania and left in 1971. The mall concept had just come into its own in the late 60s and was, as you suggested, considered the wave of the future. These were suburbia's new town squares, the hub of activity for the modern consumer, and functioned as "training wheel" communities for teenagers trying out their independence. How quickly things changed. There are a couple of questions left unanswered in your piece. For all appearances the mall was closed and blocked, and yet we see old folks sitting on benches, and walking around like ghosts. How did they get in? How were the security guards not bothered by their presence? I'd like to suggest that you offer a more thorough explanation if you can. It would help your viewers to better process the deathbed decline of Century III. Everything changes in a dichotomy of technical advance, and societal decline, and this story is a kind of metaphor of what we see daily on a much larger scale in America. It is also a poignant, personal story allowing many who grew up in that time to reflect on the passage of time and their place in it, and perhaps learn something worth sharing.

[@timhollis3390]

Parts of the mall are closed and parts are still open.I just took my walk in there today.Theres still about 6 stores open.

[@melanieleitch3135]

I grew up on Route 885, and watched the mall being built. I was 16 when it opened, and it was THE place to be. So sad.