Amsterdam, Netherlands: Magna Plaza

One look at this building, located behind the Royal Palace more or less, and you'd guess that it used to be something other than a shopping mall.

And you'd be right.

It took four years to build this magnificent structure, finishing up in 1899. Then in 1987, the mail service decided it was ready to move, and the building was sold and turned into a shopping center. It has been named one of the top 100 heritage sites in the country.

If malls looked this good in the United States, you think they'd be having problems?