General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAmerica's Oldest Shopping Mall Converted into Microapartments
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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 marketwith 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.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Otherwise I agree.
DamnYankeeInHouston
(1,365 posts)kwassa
(23,340 posts)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)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.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)speaking as an alumnus.
Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)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)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)"tiny homes" - under 1000 sqft. The older I get, the better they look.
Hekate
(90,202 posts)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.
kwassa
(23,340 posts)An ideal climate to run around outdoors.
Hekate
(90,202 posts)Single-wall construction, up on stilts. We even had one or two Quonset huts tucked away in the neighborhood.
alarimer
(16,245 posts)And I struggled to find space for all my stuff.
I'd be claustrophobic in 225.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)Creepy.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)... with a window.
frazzled
(18,402 posts)Thanks for posting.
madaboutharry
(40,153 posts)I found it very intriguing and interesting.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)So glad it is affordable for those that live there.
msongs
(67,199 posts)longship
(40,416 posts)pipoman
(16,038 posts)That's probably the idea,eh?...minimalism..
dionysus
(26,467 posts)that long term...
Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)In many cases an entire family would live in that size of a dwelling.
951-Riverside
(7,234 posts)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)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)I'd be able to do it, but I would need to reduce the amount of clothing I own.
romanic
(2,841 posts)But this is an amazing use of space. Thumbs up to the architect.
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)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)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)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)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)... 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.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)love to see an old building breath new life into a community.
Javaman
(62,442 posts)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)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)Not quite as old as the one in Boston, but bigger!
Th Cleveland Arcade (1890)
leftyladyfrommo
(18,816 posts)It kind of gives me the creeps.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)As others mentioned, I'd get rid of the dishwasher in favor of an additional cabinet.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)when I lived in RI, it was still a mall...
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)I would love to live there. How long ago did you live here?
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)A Little Weird
(1,754 posts)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)... 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.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Good solution to housing issues for some people.