The artist behind the famous bus sinkhole Christmas Tree ornament is back with another Pittsburgh-based event.
Pittsburgh artist Toby Fraley has created a new Century III demolition ornament to add to your collection.
Demolition of the old mall that was built in 1979 began this year.
When it opened, Century III was the third-biggest mall in the world and is now, largely reduced to rubble.
Fraley says he still gets request for the sinkhole bus ornament and this year’s Pittsburgh decoration was a few years coming.
“The Century III Mall idea came to me a few years ago but sat on the back burner until the demolition finally started happening,” Fraley tells KDKA Radio.
A native of Washington, PA Fraley says Century III was an important part of his holidays growing up.
“Every Christmas my family would make a trek up to Century III,” said Fraley. “It was just far enough away that it would more of a special trip seeing as we already had 2 malls right in Washington. I’d always head to the model store there and pick out some airplane to assemble once home.”
Fraley adds he, like many Pittsburghers, was sad to see Century III demolished after falling into disrepair.
“This was my way of commemorating it,” said Fraley.
You can get your Century III ornament here.