These days, the Altamonte Mall is still alive and kicking and is a retail institution within the Orlando area. It first opened in 1974 and since then, it’s fair to say that it has changed a lot over time. These days, a lot of the younger generation may not appreciate just how much it’s changed, so here are a few photos that may remind you of how it once was.

Firstly, we have the main foyer which shows the fountain centerpiece. This was in place since day one but has sadly been removed. There are also shops such as Accessory Place and below it, the shoe store Dolcis. Also notice the vintage palm trees, which seemed to be in every mall nationwide during the 90s.

Next, we have the upper floor. Once again, there’s more foliage. Honestly, if this made a comeback then we’d be all for it. Without being too nostalgic, there’s something nice about having (living) plants in large public places, which doesn’t really happen as much anymore.

Lastly, we have the outside of the mall at night. Remember, this was the 90s, so the neon wave of the 80s is long gone. At the same time, you would think for such a huge mall, it would have better signs and lightning. In fairness to the Altamonte mall, it has certainly stood the test of time. Whilst most malls closed during the early 2000s, this one is still standing and is one of the biggest in Florida.

As a bonus, we also have a picture from the 70s. Once again, the iconic fountain is there, as well as some questionable red carpet. Compared with today, the aesthetic has changed completely from the 70s. At this point, malls were just starting to take off across the country. Arguably, the space was less busy compared to these days with fewer booths and individual food places on offer.