What The Abandoned Silverdome Looks Like 13 Years After The Detroit Lions Left
The Pontiac Silverdome was once the crown jewel of Detroit, a massive stadium holding 80,000 screaming fans for the Super Bowl, the Rolling Stone, The Who, and Led Zeppelin. Now it is completely abandoned, left to decay in the elements. Photographer Johnny Joo (previously) recently explored the empty stadium, and his photos are simply stunning.
h/t: viralforest, businessinsider, redbull
This is the view from the luxury box at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Photography by Johnny Joo
This used to be the home of the Detroit Lions, but now it is completely abandoned.
Photography by Johnny Joo
Photographer Johnny Joo recently explored the abandoned stadium with some of his friends.
Photography by Johnny Joo
Their photos capture the decaying state of what was once a majestic stadium.
Photography by Johnny Joo
The Detroit Silverdome once hosted the Super Bowl and the Rolling Stones.
Photography by Johnny Joo
The roof collapsed in 2013, and you can see where the giant metal cables snapped through everything in their path, including rows of chairs.
Photography by Johnny Joo
The facility is dangerous, but that didn’t stop Johnny and his friends from exploring it from top to bottom.
Photography by Johnny Joo
This used to be the broadcast booth. Now all the equipment is gone.
Photography by Johnny Joo
This field used to be covered in astroturf. Now it collects rain water.
Photography by Johnny Joo
Yellow caution tape does little to prevent explorers from reaching all areas.
Photography by Johnny Joo
“I found myself taken away by such a large-scale destruction surrounding me in each and every way,” said Johnny.
Photography by Johnny Joo
“While a mossy carpet sat at my feet, I stared through an open panel, welcoming the cold winter breeze to my face, chilling my skin as I study the destruction below.”
Photography by Johnny Joo
“The silence was so great; you could almost hear the screaming of fans in the howling and whistling of each strong wind.”
Photography by Johnny Joo
Recently 19-year-old budding BMX rider and Michigan native Tyler Fernengel used the dilapidated structure to make a video for Red Bull. The venue is currently for sale for $30 million. The group that owns it sold off things like “end-zone turf, scoreboards and copper wiring” at an auction last year, the Detroit Free Press reports, leaving the building essentially empty. The images of Fernengel’s high-flying session depict a stark contrast between the energy of youth and the ghosts of a forgotten past.
Here are the jarring photos of Fernengel’s session, courtesy of Red Bull:
