Abandoned Mall Basement
imgur.com/a/eU9UU
imgur.comPosted Oct 27, 2014, 4:00 AM UTC
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imgur.comThe old design definitely adds to the creepiness factor, but that weird anteater looking doll should be added to r/nosleep. I'm going to be guessing that one a while, because I can't think of a single toy series that looks close from the past several decades, just weird.
Your post needs way more comments, this is totally rad!
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Man that's awesome, it really reminds me of Rapture in Bioshock. Especially pictures 3, 5, 11 and 12, they got that art deco/creepy tile kinda feel to them
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Easy, the shower is there so the staff can freshen up without going home.
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Sounds like working for Google...
Pinball! Free Food! Showers! Beds! Awesome!
...wait a minute...
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Especially if it's in the basement, it's common to have shower facilities for the maintenance staff who don't wish to commute home covered in mall poo.
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Kind of reminds me of Silent Hill 3
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You and me both! Made it extra creepy.
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I would definitely be too afraid to explore this, even with a friend or two. Major props for doing it and giving some pictures and a story for us!
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How hard was it to sneak down thee, given that there were likely plenty of people shopping/working at the functional part of the mall? On one hand, I would think it might be easier because the security staff probably have a lot on their hands with everyone else at the mall, but on the other hand, it might be more difficult since the security force is probably larger than at a fully abandoned site. Also, how did you know how to gain access to the forgotten part of the mall?
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I don't want to give away too many details, but I can tell you that I am employed by the mall. I won't state my position or any details, but let's just say it was a slow day and I managed to pull some strings. If I were an outsider it would have been much more difficult, but not necessarily "impossible". It did take several years to gain access though.
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I'm surprised the USN recruitment thing didn't have a big "300th anniversary" banner, looks like this entire mall is straight out of the seventies.
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There is a mall like this is the SF Bay Area. They shut down the whole floor due to asbestos issues. I had to go down there for telephone repairs. It was pretty cool.
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You're not talking about Vallco in Cupertino, are you? I haven't been there in about 2 years or so, but I know the lower floor of the mall has been closed for some time.
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I went to that mall once and it totally creeped me out. Every design choice was strange, even the parking lot made no sense. I could see there was a blocked off lower level, too.
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No, this mall is near Union City. The actual entrance to the lower section is boarded up.
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Are there any albums here you know of?
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Run OP that doll is possessed
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Looks like the mall they used in the Tim & Eric movie
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Out of all abandoned places, commercial areas intrigue me the most. Post more if you have a chance! Cheers!
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I'm with you there. Part of it is when they build a commercial area, they always try to make it look 'modern' or 'contemporary' for the time. They end up locking the look into whatever decade it was built. Unless it gets completely overhauled, it will always have a 1970's or 80's vibe to it.
Abandoned malls always seem the saddest because people go there for years to have fun and shop. Others people have whole careers in malls or retail, and then one day poof... it's all gone.
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There's something about abandoned malls I cannot get enough of. I've been in one before and it's in my top three explores (yet). That third picture is eerie, but a fucking great shot. Thanks!
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Nice job, OP But curious... What's going on with the floor in the last picture?
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In terms of shape, it's likely that shelving units were stacked in the recesses to hold them in place. In terms of why it's got all that white gunk on it... no idea.
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Laundry mat is my guess.
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No clue about the floor. I know there's been some flooding down there over the years, so possible hard water stain? I truly don't know.
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Do you have some pictures of the upper level? Does it look the same?
How long has it been closed? Why?
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No pictures of the upper level, but I'll shoot some more photos when I have to chance. The upper level has been active the whole time, so it's changed radically while the bottom level just ages.
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I'd love to see an album that includes a few shots of the functioning level(s) and the basement. Kind of like a before and after comparison.
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"When there is no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the earth. "
This is giving off a total Dawn of the Dead vibe.
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Come here and ask the same thing about open air malls in 120 degree temps..
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I just went through pics in r/creepy - nothing. But when I saw first picture of this place, I immediately got goose bumps. You can feel some odd and dark vibe.
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Really? Being down there wasn't scary or anything, to me anyway. It's probably because I've worked there so long so most of the older spots just kind of blend together over time. I guess I've gotten used to it. I will say it was fascinating finally seeing everything first-hand. I was like a kid in a candy store. I nearly ran down the stairs I was so giddy, camera ready and hands shaking. I only saw about half of the area though so I can't wait to go back. I'll hopefully be able to take my time on the next trip.
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This is so cool. Mind if I ask where this is? Or at least city and state?
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FORUM RULE: NO LOCATION SPECIFICS IN COMMENTS, ONLY BY PM.
It's in the sidebar.
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Oooooops, my bad.
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So was the upper floor still a functioning mall? If not what was it?
Yes, the main floor is indeed a fully functioning mall. Around 90% of the basement level has been closed for at least 20 years now. Aside from security and the occasional maintenance crew, nobody goes down there.
Additional details: I know there was a fire in one of the anchor stores down there back in the 70's. 10 people died as a result. There have also been numerous homeless individuals over the years who have made the basement their home, at least according to the security guys I talk to.
You got permission to go explore down there? thats awesome.
Did you take more photos? This is absolutely fascinating, terrific post.
Yeah, I have some more to share. I'll upload once I've sorted through them.
I guess the basement was never great financially speaking?
I wouldn't say that necessarily. There used to be an arcade and a huge laser tag arena down there. My guess is the arcade bust of the 90's made that half unprofitable. The other half could have been closed for a number of reasons, but management is tight lipped about that.
Howd you get down there?
I pulled some strings and got down there the legit way. Being employed by them helped a ton, but it took a long time before I was given the okay.