Randall Park Mall near Cleveland was billed as the biggest shopping center in the world when it was built in 1976. But it was abandoned in 2009 and now it's <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmoney.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F30%2Fnews%2Fworlds-biggest-mall-randall-demolition%2Findex.html">being demolished</a> to make way for an industrial park.
The demolition begins —
Randall Park Mall near Cleveland was billed as the biggest shopping center in the world when it was built in 1976. But it was abandoned in 2009 and now it's being demolished to make way for an industrial park.
Photo: Seph Lawess
Lawless says that used to visit the mall as a kid with his parents, back when it was bustling.
An inside view —
Lawless says that used to visit the mall as a kid with his parents, back when it was bustling.
Photo: Seph Lawess
This is what the doomed mall looked like in 2013 after five years of abandonment, just a year before its impending destruction.
2013 —
This is what the doomed mall looked like in 2013 after five years of abandonment, just a year before its impending destruction.
Photo: Seph Lawess
This is what the mall looked like on Tuesday, the second day of its ongoing demolition. Lawless said that people who used to hang out at the mall were there to witness its final days.
2014 —
This is what the mall looked like on Tuesday, the second day of its ongoing demolition. Lawless said that people who used to hang out at the mall were there to witness its final days.
Photo: Seph Lawess
Lawless said the onlookers shared stories of working at the mall, taking their families there and flirting with girls. One lady cried as she talked about cutting school to attend the grand opening of the mall, and years later she took her kids there for ice cream.
On-lookers share stories —
Lawless said the onlookers shared stories of working at the mall, taking their families there and flirting with girls. One lady cried as she talked about cutting school to attend the grand opening of the mall, and years later she took her kids there for ice cream.
Photo: Seph Lawess
Lawless spent most of the day photographing the tear-down before he finally called it quits.
Time to say goodbye —
Lawless spent most of the day photographing the tear-down before he finally called it quits.
Photo: Seph Lawess