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Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
Thu Apr 30, 2015, 11:46 PM Apr 2015

America's Oldest Shopping Mall Converted into Microapartments

Take a look inside the spaces of the Arcade Providence...

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The Westminster Arcade in Providence is America's oldest existing shopping mall, with a structure dating back to 1828. As its fortunes began to wane in the late 1900s, the building was shuttered several times. But in 2008 a massive five-year renovation took place, and real estate developer Evan Granoff had a novel idea: Why not convert the upper floors into micro apartments?

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By 2013 the Arcade Providence Microlofts were on the market—with a waiting list. (To date, even the model unit has been rented.) The immensely popular microapartments, most of them just 225 square feet, line the second and third floors of the mall's gallery, exposed to the massive atrium's skylights. Independent designer fashion brands (no major labels allowed) fill out the ground-floor retail spaces, creating a unique vibe.

So what do the spaces actually look like inside, and what types of people live there? Have a look:

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Source.
47 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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America's Oldest Shopping Mall Converted into Microapartments (Original Post) Agschmid Apr 2015 OP
Wow!!! I would have loved that 10 years ago!! What a great idea :) arcane1 May 2015 #1
The mini fridge/no oven is tough. Agschmid May 2015 #2
Get a hot plate. The dishwasher is a silly waste of space. DamnYankeeInHouston May 2015 #47
I've walked through this building many times. It really is beautiful. kwassa May 2015 #3
The smallest units are 225 sqft. enlightenment May 2015 #9
Three bedrooms in 800 sq. feet? Must be a RISD architect. kwassa May 2015 #11
It's really funny to me that we now think small spaces are exotic. Gormy Cuss May 2015 #26
Everything is open concept now. yeoman6987 May 2015 #29
I've been spending a lot of time looking at enlightenment May 2015 #34
My parent's house was 750 sq ft, counting the covered lanai. 3 BR, 1 BA, 4 kids.... Hekate May 2015 #40
A lanai sounds Hawaiian. kwassa May 2015 #43
I grew up on O'ahu, and that was a pretty standard house for the 50s-60s-70s Hekate May 2015 #44
I have a one-bedroom that's 800 square feet. alarimer May 2015 #25
Looks like a jail XemaSab May 2015 #4
Or a cruise ship, it reminds me of the inside of a Royal Caribbean ship I was on. Interior Stateroom Agschmid May 2015 #5
Very cool frazzled May 2015 #6
Thank you for posting this. madaboutharry May 2015 #7
Love it, wish I could find a place like that! My rent on my studio is killing me. And really, that freshwest May 2015 #8
In the video it appears rent is about $700 a month. Agschmid May 2015 #22
Wow. That's really cheap. yeoman6987 May 2015 #30
it's a small hotel room...small is the main word nt msongs May 2015 #10
It looks like Cell Block G! longship May 2015 #12
I'll need around 6 of these to just get buy with all my shit.... pipoman May 2015 #13
neat, if you can live in a space that small. i did it for spells in a dorm room, but can't imagine dionysus May 2015 #14
This size space isn't unusual in many parts of the world. Arugula Latte May 2015 #15
Those are not apartments, they are prisons. I would not be proud to show this to anybody 951-Riverside May 2015 #16
How amazing. SheilaT May 2015 #17
Yes two of them appeared to be there just part time... Agschmid May 2015 #23
Not into how small these apartments are. romanic May 2015 #18
Very interesting. SoapBox May 2015 #19
2 Save $$, why not just make THE PEOPLE smaller? Kinda' what this song is about.... nikto May 2015 #20
Those are lovely little apartments! I love small space living and could even improve on these underahedgerow May 2015 #21
I'd be storing things in that dishwasher - dishes, utensils, napkins, my lunchbox etc riderinthestorm May 2015 #31
The different perspectives on this are interesting. If you live in a large cosmopolitan city... stevenleser May 2015 #24
Very KQQL... Historic NY May 2015 #27
I proposed just this about 15 years ago... Javaman May 2015 #28
Very cool. mnhtnbb May 2015 #32
Cleveland has one of those - it's been converted into a hotel: LeftinOH May 2015 #33
I usually like small apartments but that place is like a hive. leftyladyfrommo May 2015 #35
I think it's fantastic tammywammy May 2015 #36
Wish I could find something like that in Florida...it would be worth it for 3-4 months. Historic NY May 2015 #37
Damn...never heard of this Blue_Tires May 2015 #38
It's gorgeous Marrah_G May 2015 #41
2004-05...I was a DUer even back then Blue_Tires May 2015 #45
Wow A Little Weird May 2015 #39
It could be one of my dream housing situations almost... hunter May 2015 #42
Really interesting treestar May 2015 #46

kwassa

(23,340 posts)
3. I've walked through this building many times. It really is beautiful.
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:07 AM
May 2015

back when I was a student in Providence in the early 70s. Great architecture.

I am glad they have successfully re-purposed the building. It seems a highly unlikely idea, but if it works ... 225 square feet?

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
9. The smallest units are 225 sqft.
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:17 AM
May 2015

The largest is 800 sqft, with three bedrooms. Click on the link in the article and you'll be able to look at the floorplans.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
26. It's really funny to me that we now think small spaces are exotic.
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:36 AM
May 2015

I grew up in a 1100-1200 SF, 1 1/2 story house with ten rooms. That partitioning made it comfortable for 7-10 people to live there. The only issue was the 1 bath. Oh, and the knee walls in the bedrooms were a decorating challenge.

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
29. Everything is open concept now.
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:00 AM
May 2015

When you come in my front door, you can see six rooms. The only rooms closed off are the three bedroom and two baths.

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
34. I've been spending a lot of time looking at
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:38 AM
May 2015

"tiny homes" - under 1000 sqft. The older I get, the better they look.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
40. My parent's house was 750 sq ft, counting the covered lanai. 3 BR, 1 BA, 4 kids....
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:51 PM
May 2015

It all works if your neighbors are the same and have a generally positive outlook. We did have the great outdoors to run around in, though.

Hekate

(90,202 posts)
44. I grew up on O'ahu, and that was a pretty standard house for the 50s-60s-70s
Sat May 2, 2015, 12:04 AM
May 2015

Single-wall construction, up on stilts. We even had one or two Quonset huts tucked away in the neighborhood.

alarimer

(16,245 posts)
25. I have a one-bedroom that's 800 square feet.
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:34 AM
May 2015

And I struggled to find space for all my stuff.

I'd be claustrophobic in 225.

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
5. Or a cruise ship, it reminds me of the inside of a Royal Caribbean ship I was on. Interior Stateroom
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:09 AM
May 2015

... with a window.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
8. Love it, wish I could find a place like that! My rent on my studio is killing me. And really, that
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:17 AM
May 2015
has all one needs in an apartment.

 

pipoman

(16,038 posts)
13. I'll need around 6 of these to just get buy with all my shit....
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:31 AM
May 2015

That's probably the idea,eh?...minimalism..

dionysus

(26,467 posts)
14. neat, if you can live in a space that small. i did it for spells in a dorm room, but can't imagine
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:33 AM
May 2015

that long term...

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
15. This size space isn't unusual in many parts of the world.
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:42 AM
May 2015

In many cases an entire family would live in that size of a dwelling.

 

951-Riverside

(7,234 posts)
16. Those are not apartments, they are prisons. I would not be proud to show this to anybody
Fri May 1, 2015, 12:52 AM
May 2015

Mostly dark, no views, tiny space, no room for any personal belongings, almost completely enclosed space with no fresh air, etc then there is a commercial space below so you have to deal with noise in this enclosed space.

This corporation is selling "upgraded" prison cells as homes

I can understand using it as a hotel but I can't imagine anyone spending any long stretch of time in that place.

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
17. How amazing.
Fri May 1, 2015, 01:00 AM
May 2015

I have far too much stuff to live in so tiny a space, but they are very well designed. However, I live alone and I do cook, so I could not begin to live without a stove top and oven.

However, at least some of those profiled only seem to live there part time, and in that case such a tiny unit makes sense.

I currently live in about 900 square feet, and I'm struggling to keep all my stuff inside this space. I really ought to downsize, but I'm not quite ready for that.

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
23. Yes two of them appeared to be there just part time...
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:07 AM
May 2015

I'd be able to do it, but I would need to reduce the amount of clothing I own.

romanic

(2,841 posts)
18. Not into how small these apartments are.
Fri May 1, 2015, 01:07 AM
May 2015

But this is an amazing use of space. Thumbs up to the architect.

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
19. Very interesting.
Fri May 1, 2015, 01:07 AM
May 2015

A couple of things...I wonder what the rent was on the larger units, with the washer/dryer. And regarding the lack of a stove/oven...like the one gal said, get a toaster oven type device and maybe an induction plate, if you thought you needed it.

What I did NOT like was Mr. Developer saying something to the effect of getting around the building code...always trying to figure out a way to make even more money.

 

nikto

(3,284 posts)
20. 2 Save $$, why not just make THE PEOPLE smaller? Kinda' what this song is about....
Fri May 1, 2015, 01:10 AM
May 2015

For those of you who are familiar with this classic Prog song, you'll know what I'm talking about.

For the rest ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_%27Em_Out_by_Friday

Excerpt:
"... [in] the year 2012. At this time, Genetic Control has announced that they are restricting the height of all humans to four feet. This piece of news is then discussed in a pub by a man named "Joe Everybody," who reveals the reason behind the restriction: so that Genetic Control, who has recently bought some properties, will be able to accommodate twice as many people in the same tower block."




Were Genesis prophets, or what?

underahedgerow

(1,232 posts)
21. Those are lovely little apartments! I love small space living and could even improve on these
Fri May 1, 2015, 02:04 AM
May 2015

spaces by changing out the microwave for a combination oven/microwave and adding in a single burner cook top, they work very well and you can just put it in the cupboard when you aren't using it.

I probably wouldn't have put the dishwasher in though, advocating for more storage or for a slightly larger fridge with a different configuration.

For the closet I would have used the much taller model building it up to the ceiling.

It all looks like they've used the higher end Ikea fittings which I've used on many projects and have really stood the test of time. What I really like about Ikea is their appliances. Their quality is great and the 5 year guarantee is awesome.

This is an awesome re-purposing of a cool mixed use space. It's certainly not for families for the long term, but it suits the needs of many young professionals. It would also be super cool for seniors.

These are really nice spaces in a lovely building, what a great project!!!!! I give it a big thumbs up!

 

riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
31. I'd be storing things in that dishwasher - dishes, utensils, napkins, my lunchbox etc
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:04 AM
May 2015

i was surprised to see the one woman pull it out and it was empty. Sooo much storage space going unused.

Like you though, I wouldn't have a dishwasher at all. Since these are obviously not entertaining spaces, there's not a great need to do a big post-party cleanup. Daily use is probably a mug for a hot beverage in the am, toast plate or cereal bowl. Few utensils. Lunch prep stuff.

Oh and the daily wine glass!



Welcome to DU!

 

stevenleser

(32,886 posts)
24. The different perspectives on this are interesting. If you live in a large cosmopolitan city...
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:12 AM
May 2015

... the idea is to be out of your apartment exploring and enjoying that city as much as possible. Folks living in those cities wouldn't mind a small apartment as much.

I'm guessing most of the folks who objected the most are not residents of New York, Paris, London, Chicago, Los Angeles or the like.

Javaman

(62,442 posts)
28. I proposed just this about 15 years ago...
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:57 AM
May 2015

then put solar panels and water capturing systems in place.

convert a hug portion of the overly enormous parking lot into a community garden.

have a farm stand weekly.

mnhtnbb

(31,319 posts)
32. Very cool.
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:07 AM
May 2015

We built a studio apartment (484 sq ft) above a detached garage on our property. It rents very easily
to students since we're within walking distance to UNC. But we did put in a full kitchen (full size fridge,
dishwasher, stove) and a stacked washer dryer. It does have limited closet space provided by two armoires
that tenants can move around however they wish to accommodate their furnishings. I'm not sure I'd want
to live in that small a space, but students are rarely home.

On edit: our current tenant is just finishing his first year of law school and has renewed his lease for a second year,
saying he'll probably want to stay on for the third year.

LeftinOH

(5,342 posts)
33. Cleveland has one of those - it's been converted into a hotel:
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:28 AM
May 2015

Not quite as old as the one in Boston, but bigger!

Th Cleveland Arcade (1890)

tammywammy

(26,582 posts)
36. I think it's fantastic
Fri May 1, 2015, 11:32 AM
May 2015

As others mentioned, I'd get rid of the dishwasher in favor of an additional cabinet.

A Little Weird

(1,754 posts)
39. Wow
Fri May 1, 2015, 09:33 PM
May 2015

I don't think I could live in a space like that but I can see how it would work for the folks in the video. It sounds like he's having no problem getting residents. I would think the same idea could work well as a hotel. It's a cool way to help save some of these old buildings.

hunter

(38,264 posts)
42. It could be one of my dream housing situations almost...
Fri May 1, 2015, 10:30 PM
May 2015

... so long as I could sleep with my dogs and I had a large organic gardening plot nearby. Rip up the parking lots. Let us renew this earth!

I've always lived in situations of, um, artistic anarchy, some of them as small as a Volkswagen Van in France or an illegal backyard garden shack. My parents are artistic anarchists, and so am I.

When I was a minor age human being my parents always fled places that didn't permit their sort of artistic anarchy.

As an 18+ (and later married) supposedly responsible adult, I've always lived in places where nobody cared how you painted your house or landscaped your front yard. Corn, beans, squash, or low water bird and bee friendly planting, that's cool.

My artist parents have retreated to one of the ultimate artist places. They drink and bathe in water that falls on their roof, they buy their food at the local farmer's market, and if civilization collapses tomorrow all they'll really be missing is nice toilet paper.

Human beings have survived for at least a million years and beyond without nice toilet paper.

The Koch Bros. are not essential.

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