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Terrifying photos of a once-busy shopping center now abandoned and left to rot have emerged online, sparking widespread outrage.
Market Square in Newcastle NSW, north of Sydney, was gradually closed in phases to make way for a new retail and residential redevelopment before the site closed for good last April.
The latest stores in Market Square included fashion retailers Sportsgirl, Sussan, The Birdcage on Hunter and Tree of Life.
The mall also had a food hall and an outdoor glass elevator.
Photos posted to Facebook eight months later show the shocking state of disrepair and dire condition of the center as the site awaits redevelopment.
There is graffiti and trash everywhere, as well as broken glass from storefronts, the elevator, and one of the escalators.
The Market Square was closed to make way for new shopping and residential space. The site has not been touched since April last year
There is graffiti and rubbish everywhere and glass from shop fronts, the lift and the side of one of the escalators has been destroyed
Tables and chairs are damaged, storefronts are abandoned, interior walls have holes and the exterior is overtaken by weeds.
Part of the dining room ceiling has collapsed.
The apocalyptic sight angered many locals, who had fond childhood memories of the mall.
“Another shameful building destroyed,” one person wrote.
“I remember being there as a kid and it was completely packed. There used to be a pedestrian bridge above the mall to help manage traffic flow,” another wrote during a Reddit discussion last year.
Others reminisced about the quirky shops, the coffee lounge on the Sky Walk and the food court with 'the best chips and gravy'.
The upcoming demolition of Market Square is just part of the massive $880 million redevelopment of the Newcastle Mall, with some buildings already completed.
When the center closed last April, Iris Capital development manager Jamie Boswell said the site will complete Iris Capital's contribution to Newcastle's East End.
He said the demolition of the site was important for future development.
Tables and chairs are damaged, interior walls have holes and the exterior is overtaken by weeds. Part of the dining room ceiling has collapsed
Pictures of Newcastle's once bustling market square have sparked an uproar in the community
“This location represents a new opportunity for revitalization and for Iris Capital to further contribute to the transformation of the Hunter Street Mall,” Mr Boswell said.
“Together with the City of Newcastle, we are committed to public safety and the best outcome for the community is to progress the demolition of the existing structure as quickly as possible.
Newcastle Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said at the time that the council had identified public safety concerns in the final phase of the project.
She remained committed to ensuring that the shopping center returned to its former glory days.
“The action is progressing in relation to the demolition of the non-heritage buildings so that the site can be adequately protected,” Cr Nelmes said.
A council spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that they had been working with Iris Capital and police on the now 'significant' safety issues at the abandoned site.
“This included expediting a development application for the demolition of non-heritage buildings in Phase 3 of Iris Capital's East End development,” they said.
'Iris Capital confirmed before Christmas that demolition of these buildings will begin on January 8.'
Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Iris Capital for comment.
The site of the Market Square, originally the Borough Markets (pictured in 1891)