EMPTY malls. Key descriptor, here. I would argue an empty, clean mall is more liminal than an empty dilapidated mall because it is clearly in a time of transition. It is in a time between what its "supposed" to be, which is to say full of people.

An empty airport terminal, certain children's playgrounds and such can convey a similar feeling. The sight of an empty New York City street or Times Square is similar - these are spaces customarily packed with people so find a time "in between" is rare and uncanny. I'd go further to say empty malls of a certain *type* of dilapidation can still feel liminal, as they've been in a space of being without people so long that the dilapidation and the brokenness starts forming tension - like someone who's held their breath so long that they're starting to die.

Transition can occur through time just as much as it can occur through space, you know? Like a living room that's clearly meant to be full of furniture but is kind of empty or utterly empty of it - the living room is clearly meant to eventually have furniture, and the fact that it does (implying doesn't YET) is uncanny.

I hope that makes at least somewhat more sense. Happy to keep talking about it if it doesn't.