I went on vacation to Toronto this week, and one of the most fascinating things I have seen is an underground shopping mall and pedestrian walkway. It got me wondering, would an underground mall be possible in Arizona? The answer is, hypothetically.
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Underground Shopping Malls
Around the world, underground malls have become extremely popular. They solve problems that surface‑level retail can’t. Toronto’s PATH system covers 3.7 million square feet, connecting office towers, transit hubs, and hundreds of shops. Winters routinely drop below freezing, and underground walkways keep commuters warm and mobile.
In the United States, Houston’s Tunnel System offers a different example. Spanning roughly six miles, it protects workers from extreme heat and humidity, linking major downtown buildings through climate‑controlled corridors. The tunnels succeed because they provide relief from the weather that makes surface travel uncomfortable for much of the year.
You can also find underground shopping malls in cities like Montreal and Tokyo. Now the question is, would an underground shopping mall be possible in Arizona?…