Photography by Johnny Joo
After 40 years, the former stadium of the Detroit Lions will be torn down this spring, according to The Detroit News.
The massive building cost $55.7 million to build when it was first constructed back in 1975. It hosted Super Bowl XVI in 1982, a Michael Jackson Victory Tour concert in 1984, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
But by 2002, the Detroit Lions had moved into Ford Field in downtown Detroit and the Silverdome was abandoned.
Since then, it’s been used only sporadically and suffered major damage after a 2013 winter storm destroyed its inflatable roof.
Photographer Johnny Joo gained access to the Silverdome back in 2014 and 2015. He toured the stadium with friends and shared his amazing pictures of the now-defunct building with Tech Insider.
The Silverdome will be demolished this spring 2016 after sitting virtually abandoned since 2002.
Source: Detroit Free Press
In its heyday, it could seat more than 80,300 people.
Source: Detroit Free Press
The building was home to the Detroit Lions from 1975 until 2002 and to the Detroit Pistons from 1978 until 1988.
Source: Detroit Free Press
It’s also been the location of a Super Bowl, a Michael Jackson concert, a 1987 mass conducted by Pope John Paul II, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup, just to name a few.
Source: Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Lions left for Ford Field in 2002. In 2009, the building was sold at auction to a private owner for $583,000.
Source: Detroit Free Press
In 2013, the building’s inflatable roof was damaged during a winter storm. Scraps of the roof lay around the stadium today.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Photographer Johnny Joo got access in 2014 and 2015 to take pictures of the abandoned property.
His photos show that the building has significant damage from the elements.
In addition, 19-year-old budding BMX rider and Michigan native Tyler Fernengel used the abandoned stadium to make a video for Red Bull.
Source: Red Bull
The shoot created some incredible visuals.
Fernengel even leaped out of suites into the stands.
The stadium is gutted after copper wiring, scoreboards, and other bits of memorabilia were all sold at an auction by the current owners.
Source: Detroit Free Press
What remains behind is trash and everything that didn’t get sold.
Even the offices in the stadium now sit abandoned.
As well as the team locker rooms and stadium bathrooms.
The 127 acres the building sits on are now more valuable than the stadium itself.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Currently, the land is being leased to a soccer league and car dealership.
Source: Detroit Free Press
The stadium looks like it has been through a war.
But this spring, the private owners intend to raze the Silverdome.
Source: Detroit Free Press
The razing will take four to six months to complete.
Source: Detroit Free Press
Then they plan to sell the land.
Source: Detroit Free Press
One last look at the Silverdome.
See more of Johnny Joo’s work on his website and Facebook.
Here is the entire Red Bull video.
Now check out the best photos from the biggest moments in sports from the past year.
The 50 best sports photos of 2016
The post Haunting photos show how run-down the abandoned Detroit Lions stadium has become appeared first on Business Insider.