Oldest US mall blends old/modern with 225-sq-ft micro-lofts
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- The Providence Arcade is nearly 2 centuries old, but when Evan Granoff bought it was considered one of the city’s most endangered properties. Realizing that the demand for commercial space would never match that for downtown housing, Granoff decided to convert the upper floors of the country's first indoor mall into tiny loft apartments.
At just 225 square feet, the smallest units would have fallen below the city’s minimum size standard for apartments so Granoff decided to classify his micro-lofts as a rooming house. The Providence rooming house code allows for rooms as small as 80 square feet (single occupancy), as long as they don’t have a cooking facility. Fortunately, for Granoff and tenants, a microwave is not considered a cooking device.
The tiniest units rent for $550 per month, almost half the city average, and all of them rented out almost immediately (there’s now a waiting list). Many of the tenants don’t spend a lot of time at home. We talked to Naz Karim, a doctor who works emergency room shifts, and plans to spend much of the year on a fellowship in Africa and Sharon Kinnier who uses the loft for when she’s working in a Providence lab formulating organic cosmetics (she spends the rest of the time with her husband in Washington D.C.).
The bottom floor of the mall is still commercial, but Granoff limits it to micro retail so no chains and they’re all focused on fashion and art design. We stopped in at nude boutique where Amy Stetkiewicz, one of the 6 local designers, was closing up shop downstairs from her micro loft.
Original story: faircompanies.c...
Proof that old malls don't need to be shut down, but re-purposed.
I think windows might be an issue. Most malls are all inside focused.
The only defunct buildings are the ones that no longer exist.
Especially in old beautiful buildings like this. Most malls don't have this much character.
Disagree. This might work in areas where there are young professions in cities, but outside of that, you are probably gonna run into riff raff and it will go downhill pretty quickly.
Heck yes. Amazing how creative some people are and what waste cases others are. Beside up start designer clothing shops, another mall could create spaces for musicians, artists, dancers, or such things as small metal, plastic, paper manufacturing. 3D printers opens a lot of doors to creativity. It certainly would be a great way to give a diversity of occupations a kick start to regrow independent small businesses in the USA. The small spaces could even be donated to small businesses that make their money on a different time scale than others... such as artists, musicians. The malls repurposed could end up being the centers of diversity in creativity with in a community of just about any town, city, that has abandoned malls.
Why hasn't someone done this to all the defunct shopping malls? I've seen larger shopping malls which have become deserted for years which would be amazing to turn residential.
I agree although it could be cheaper
There are a few shopping malls in other places that have been converted to living space, but not many yet.
The thing that makes it work is a tight residential (apt) market. At the end of the video he talks about how Providence has nearly a 0% apt. vacancy rate.
Yeah quite a few of those in west london
I know right. This is an awesome idea for Hawthorne Mall in Hawthorne, CA. Great place to live and hang out. Great for singles and busy bodies.
This is such brilliant use of a dying mall. I’ve been in retail over 45,years, malls generally are not constructed really well. But the malls pre 80’s are. I would consider retiring to a community like this, micro retailers and services like vision and hearing aids, even accountants lawyers and doctors. The new main street. The food courts exist and might draw higher end restaurants.
Whoever conceived this concept is a genius. I am really impressed.
That was actually how the person who designed the concept of the mall wanted it to be (emphasis on society, have libraries, etc.) but then people got greedy and only took the money making aspects of his idea
@@Hampizzapocket it is so weird here in Singapore living above a mall cost at least a few million dollars. But yea many malls here are constructed with that thought in mind. We are a small country after all
I would love this I would probably prefer the larger ones but compared to the 1100 square feet I live in now it would still be small it can make it very affordable college students and retirees alike I love the idea of being able to allow light in I've been able to go downstairs for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat
It’s really brilliant. I think homeless shelters should start looking into the idea as well.
Redevelopment can be a pain , especially for any construction dated before 1978. Before 1978 it was still legal in the US to have construction materials with asbestos and lead paint. Not to mention any other hazards that would be prevented by modern building code regulations. (quality of ventilation in a building, potential contamination on site, …)
Looking at this again, I think it would be an ideal setup for senior housing. If the ground-floor mall included things like a grocery store, a drug store, a bank, doctor's office etc., everything they need would be right there without having to go out in the weather or worry about transportation, and they'd have a convenient place to walk and get exercise. Many seniors don't do much cooking, so that wouldn't be a big problem.
Please re-think this opinion. Malls, no! Not designed for safety. This is a fire deathtrap. Huge wide open spaces. No way to contain a fire. Smoke filling all the common areas. Extremely long walks to emergency exits - in the giant space filling with smoke. The skylight - will shatter in the heat. Infinite air will fan the flames. Most people will get a few steps from their front door and die. Fill this space with disabled/elderly. This isn't a "good thing." This is the next mass-fatality event waiting to happen. NO IDEA how this got approved!
@@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking Firstly, this mall was built in the 1860's. So it had to be retrofitted for just basic electricity at some point. And to qualify for building permits, the developers had to add a LOT of safety features. This building was not designed for those with limited mobility, but other, more contemporary malls have back-up systems in place, as well as facilities for security/health/maintenance services on site. These immense spaces have improved their safety and security systems, and with new ordinances, new projects can be brought up to existing code almost anywhere. I think the dangers, as are possible in ANY hotel/apartment building, are over-hyped, and these empty malls are not necessarily any more at risk than any mass residential building.
As long as there is an elevator
I agree with not having to worry about cooking. A lot of places have meals on wheels. Maybe they could have a section of the mall where you come down for community dining and they give them the meals on wheels. They can talk and have time to be together. There are agencies that could be there and could plan parties and holiday gatherings. We could actually use old malls as the population is aging and this would be a wonderful alternative to just having people in nursing homes. It would give them a sense of independence while still having the convenience of the things that they would need to live on their own.
@@elishavarivka8923 Similar to your idea, a senior housing complex could have a communal dining area with an inexpensive featured meal for that day, and you could sign in (or opt out) by a given time in person or online, and they'd bill you monthly along with your rent bill. Just a tap with your membership card and a computer does the rest. They could have alternative meals that they pull from the freezer. If you didn't feel up to going out, takeout with a $1 delivery charge could be available.
Since it still has places to eat inside & shop, as well as the apartments to live in, It's like an enclosed modern yet cozy village within a city...What a clever use of a mall & all of it's space!
Yes, but there's no view. I once worked in an office overlooking a car park. It would depress the hell out of me to come home and look out at another car park after sitting in traffic there and back. Plus there's pollution from all those exhaust fumes. If they even had balconies it wouldn't be so terrible in the evenings, but they really are small. Fine as a base for commuters, but it would get lonely for people who are living there all week around.
@@FurnitureFan I disagree. You may be unhappy in a place like that, but some people would be perfectly happy with a sweet little place all to themselves. It's an individual choice. Some people would hate the commute or the cost that comes with "a view".
FurnitureFan Plants would help make these spaces less sterile, but then they would take up a bit of space. maybe mini ones and bonsai?
Do you live there?
@@FurnitureFan sounds like generally the city isnt the place for you
Here in Portland, OR these micro apartments are becoming trendy so their charging $1000.00 a month for them! I thought the whole reason to downsize and live in something this size was to save money?! A grand per month for something labeled "MICRO" isn't a savings!!!!!!!!!!
misterkister123 ...true I live in the bay area, this would be even more
Seriously.
I too am in Portland and know the struggle, I was paying 650 for a small studio 2 years ago, after 6 months of living there, the owner sold the building and everyone got evicted so they could legally jack the rent to 1200 a month, this happened to me 3 times in a row, its to hard to afford anything in Portland anymore.
I decided to do something entirely different. I bought a house in a financially depressed area after the market collapse happened. It was in the most violent part of the city, filled with drug dealers and section 8 dwelling welfare families (multi-generational, not just people in temporary need). My primary security system was a Glock 17, which I'm fortunate to only have had to draw once in seven years.
Since the neighborhood has gentrified, the property value has been skyrocketing and my mortgage is cheaper than just about any rent you can find around. These tiny apartments are in the same city I'm in, about a 4-5 minute drive. Families are moving in and the neighborhood is relatively peaceful now, so things are looking up.
If you're curious, I pay $725 per month for a 3br stone colonial, with a decent sized back yard, a couple of off street parking spaces, on-site laundry, and about 1,550 sq ft. (It was bank owned and pretty ugly when I got it.) My main bedroom is about the size of these micro-apartments. Possibly even the secondary bedroom, as well, which I use for storage and tinkering with my computer collection or repairs for friends. Obviously it costs more to heat it during the winter, but cubic feet doesn't change when the temperature drops, so you have to plan for that. (It's still reasonable with gas heat.)
Perhaps if the equity position drifts up for a while longer, I'll bail and move closer to my job. Presently, I'm just settled in and there's no need to leave.
@misterkister123 EXACTLY!!!
loving the upside down blinds!!! you can let the light in without the open part of the window being visible to people passing by
That little detail is genious.
They open from the top and the bottom. That is why they have a set of strings on both sides for these accordion style blinds. You are just seeing them open only from the top. I worked in a drapery and blinds store for years :)
I think ikea do them.
No there Downside up🤔🤔🤔
I have them throughout my home. They're the best. I usually leave them about 18-24" "down" and rarely adjust them. It's wonderful to have the light and privacy.
My mom lives in a 100+ year old school..they turned the classrooms into apartments.. I love it so much there.
Here in Canada apt of buildings are renovated
Schools factories etc
Where I’m from in Massachusetts their is a lot of old schools turned into housing and done up real nice
Is she in GA. ? We have one of those here
They’ve done that with a school or two in our area, too. I think it’s a great idea.
neeeeeeat
They actually look very well designed for such tiny spaces.
Umm, no. There is a big "dead" corner, back left in the kitchen.
It's not bad, but I've seen much better in some tiny home designs and RVs/camper trailers.
It could be much better
@@InfernosReaper q
WwQåa
Remove the dishwasher and put washing machine with dryer :)
TheMilenkata my exact thoughts
He addressed this. They are not allowed to do this as per city code, it's illegal.
Pretty much!
Why have your own w/d and pay higher water bill, when they provide laundry facilities? I say change the dishwasher to a smaller tiny home drawer dishwasher, and put some more storage underneath. Some ppl simply don't want to wash dishes.
You still have to pay for the laundry. Most apartments with onsite laundry charge via quarters or a care. Plus have to carry said laundry to said place and waiting for someone else's laundry to finish sometimes is a hassle. If you only have 1-12 dishes, why bother with a dishwasher.
This concept would be great for senior living. Easy access to everything an urban area has to offer, public transport, common area to hang out, etc.
except for the fact that it is far too small for wheelchairs and easy for older folks to trip and hurt themselves. I could see myself getting annoyed bumping into stuff. And there is no real room for in home exercise, even yoga would be tough. If you are only home to sleep a few hours and you know your financial situation will rapidly improve, sure...but for elderly or disabled that are stuck in these boxes 24/7 I don't think it is mentally healthy to be in such tight quarters. They are smaller than some jail cells.
Well, assisted living studio apartments are smaller than that, my mother lives in one. However, they are open, allowing for wheelchairs, walkers, etc. The only interior door is the bathroom. These could be easily reconfigured for that use.
You can always make units that are wheelchair friendly
It doesn't have to be only for seniors.. But it would be great for me if i were not getting married....a larger 2 bedroom option would nice....in addition to the micro and one bedroom units
I would love to see something that integrates small spaces designed for anyone from a senior citizen to a small family. In the US, we desperately need communities back and having more buildings that cater to building a community would be great to see.
As a young girl I once shopped in this vibrant, charming mall.
This was well before the revitalization of Providence.
In another life, I would love living there, it would be like living in some of my very best memories.
And this was working as a retail environment decades ago.
Compared to the walk in closet sized apartments in NYC that cost $1k+, this is actually a good deal.
The Hollanesian the rent probably went up by now.
The Hollanesian nyc has the highest rent in America....the world....is Auckland New Zealand according to internet
@@jibba1681 No they don't places in California, Massachusetts Senate, and London
Rents boom and bust. The city I'm in , Perth Australia went absolutely bezerk with the mining boom. Garbage apartments in the shittiest parts of the suburbs for $1K+ a week. And then 7-8 years later China worked out you could get iron even cheaper off the Africans and the boom came to a crashing halt. Now its priced to be liveable again (and all the "Fly in fly out" workers have f**ked off back to sydney).
Many folks are leaving Boston and NY to come to Providence because the housing prices are reasonable in Providence. I lived for 14 years in Boston and simply could not afford to pay 1000 a month for a single bedroom.
the whole vibe is soooo pretty it's like living in a hotel
Which sucks. I had a job that required me to live for weeks at a time in hotels. Fun for 2 weeks. After that, it is not fun.
Hotels are boring , this is so comfy and pretty.
I like it too!
I don’t think it is like a hotel at all. In a hotel, a maid can walk in on you at any time. All of the employees can access your room and make your possessions disappear. The bedding may be filthy.
In these micro lofts, you have your own apartment. You lock the door and nobody will walk in on you. The furniture and bedding are yours and yours alone. You are your own maid. You have privacy if you want to close the curtains.
@@pattimessenger6214 It looks like not a bad place to live.
This guy's effing brilliant! He chose an incredible building to start with. It's gorgeous! The iron work that no one is doing today. The atrium skylights, the benefits of which are available to every tenant. And the low rent! This is good on so many levels. I love it!
And these tenants never even mention the architectural beauty they're living in. But the amount of felt space that the light and design provides the tenants is obvious in their comments. Good design is appreciated on a subconscious level by even the esthetically unaware.
This developer had an amazing designer. I hope this is successful for him.
A huge problem is the noise! That would drive me nuts!
Yeah, you get to live like a peasant in a beautiful building. No thanks. Notice how none of them have families or children. "Tiny houses" all smack of the emperor's new clothes.
@@user-sm7og6fi3j ok as a 2nd location.
They are not for families or two people but great idea
If they had knocked two units into one
Much more space
They were build to house people or students who are not there day and nite
He designed a fire deathtrap dude. :(
This is something that I want once my care giving days are over. I'm not being morbid, but I know I'm on borrowed time with my mom. I'm a loner by nature, but living in this situation would be perfect. I can be closed off and unbothered, yet have easy access to people when I'm in the mood to socialize.
same!!!!!!
That lady who crafts organic soap was adorable
Yes, and what a beautiful voice, really lovely to hear from.
I want to buy her products
@@FurnitureFan for real. Such a warm, silky voice. Felt like I was being wrapped up in a blanket any time she spoke
I wondered where her husband was?
I wish I could find her soap. LOL I loved her...and I would buy it. It just looks like it smells great. LOL
I loved the way each apartment has its own vibe. 😍 The look of the black lady's apartment. So homey
Black lady... really
@@salerinaxo What's your problem?
@@Kalani_Saiko Just say lady, that’s all
@@adrianasabode1583 I got that, the comment just comes off as rude
Imagine if all the abandoned malls were converted into affordable housing..
That would be a dream.
@blasteroid I wouldn't call $750 a month for that tiny space affordable housing.
So many people fight against Affordable Housing
@@FlowerClown yeah it'll reduce the price of their homes. This is why most home owners vote for inflation and infinite debt expansion.
It would be creating shanty towns. The proper way to make affordable real estate is through control of rent rolls, not creating human prison cells.
That soap lady has her stuff down haha she’s killin it!
I would love to have a small apartment like this and then be able to walk down to the main floor and have a coffee or sandwich shop.
If they ever had micro-condos for sale like this, this would be my dream starter home if not my dream home.
Right? Looks like heaven to me!
There are TONS of apartment buildings with retail on the ground floor.
Oh yes it's probably great if you don't have children!
I live in a very small 3rd floor,3bdrm inner city apartment. There's no washer or dryers,not any kind of yard or green grass for the kids to play in.
I'm a country girl and cannot wait to be able to afford something in a rural area!
Agreed. They ought to take a cue from Dubai apartments where the bottom floor often has a small grocery shop....not much in it, just basic stuff (milk, bread, lunch meats, fruit/ veg, cleaning supplies, etc...).
Perfect idea for transitional living. For young people transitioning through final college years after leaving home, for returning older students getting their post-grad degrees who go home to children and spouses on the weekends, for people whose job requires a lot of travel with extended lay-over periods in certain areas (running into months), or for seniors downsizing but not yet ready for nursing homes..... . Or even take one and make it into a nursing home such as has been done in other parts of the world. No need to destroy an old building which can be made over and repurposed. No need for continued urban sprawl... So many good ideas coming out of this video. Thank you.
or even for the homeless so they can have somewhere warm to go to.....away from the harsh elements
I was just going to say... for this price, where are the poor folks in this building?
Nursing homes wouldn't be a good idea for the old people that have a hard time getting upstairs or if they need to be in a wheelchair.
Cari I agree. Was just about to comment about pricing. People seem to forget about pricing when it comes to economical housing.
@growamitt Why just transitional living and people who already have other homes? This (if it were more affordable) is a solution for MANY sectors of the US. And it's other sectors that need housing solutions more.
He did an amazing job with restoring the arcade, I remember going in there years ago, close to 19 years ago now, and it didn't look quite as bright as it does, there were only a few shops opened and nothing going on upstairs at all, glad to see there is no wasted space. Makes me proud to be a Rhode Islander.
+Nancy Rodriguez Interesting. That is exactly what he talked about: how the higher floor businesses always had trouble making it. Interesting you were there to see that. It does feel really light now. I was there on a rainy day and those skylights were still very bright.
I can only imagine, a lot of the businesses that were there are no longer there it seems, but then again, those were the older business owners too, a lot have moved away and down south to warmer weather. I'm glad the Arcade is still opened and not torn down like a lot of the buildings in Providence. It is a beautiful building with a grand design.
I like your babies alive thank you for letting me watch them it may concern
Nancy Rodriguez I
I used to go here by bus from Smithfield ri all the time! So happy they used this space efficiently..such a historical building..well done!
This would be an incredible option for low income/homeless individuals. A terrific way to use old shopping malls.
If you saw what the utility bill and maintenance costs are on a shopping mall, you wouldn't think it's such a great option. There are also security issues, parking lot maintenance....big shopping malls are a money pit.
Sure I'd love for the homeless to be hanging around while I go clothes shopping.
@@thecatatemyhomework this is a mostly abandoned mall. That’s the whole point...also homeless people are always around cities while people shop for clothes.
No it isn't. I'm on a fixed income. I don't even bring in enough to pay $750 a month not to mention food and basic needs (ie prescriptions, cleaning supplies, laundry costs, etc.).
@@thecatatemyhomework Then you can buy homeless people something instead of yourself.
I’d rather have a stove than dish washer
He stated the only way he could build was to go with "Rooming House" codes and that does not allow cooking, except for the microwave or convection oven. But the dishwasher is stupid; could have had a cabinet or a place for the garbage can.
muzictalks Me too!!
@@marygallagher7062 ....Exactly!
I would prefer stove then dishwasher 2. Especially if it was just me in the apartment.
Bring in your own double hot plate (
I would especially like it if the shops downstairs were tailored to the tenants, a small grocery with fresh fruits and veggies, coffee shops, bookstore, munchie places, pet place, plant/flower shop doctors office, etc. Would also like to see a living space with lots of plants where I could sit down with a coffee and book to have breakfast, maybe outdoors as well. I wonder if the parking shed is included. We have had several large malls torn down in my city , such a waste.......
I had the same thoughts when I saw the video...but now I'm questioning if they can't have a restaurant downstairs for the same zoning laws that don't allow stoves upstairs.......
Guy said shops rotate in and out in themes near the end of the video. If I saw correct there was at least 1 restaurant in there where the lady with the organic line of beauty products was first met up with.
wish they would do this to some of the old malls here. such a waste to see them torn down or left to ruin
I would use it as the place I KEPT my dishes (or storage). lol.
It would be really cool if the common area was converted partly into an indoor garden, with a row of trees down the center. It could be more pet-friendly, with a place to walk dogs.
This was posted 6 years ago and apparently this mall is still going strong
Its so satisfying to see old buildings being used in this way. In Ohio we have several closed or nearly closed malls and Ive thought it would great to turn it into a senior assisted living and rehab center or a community center, or anything but abandoned.
I fully agree. I also live in Ohio, and trying to find housing here is so much harder than it was 6 years ago. Even here it seems like the basic two bedrooms that look kind of janky are 800. And this is OHIO for Christ’s sake. I live in an under 300 sq foot camper I renovated set on my in-laws property because it’s honestly he best I can do right now. There’s not enough housing, and what is available is trashy or too expensive. Something like this being available could do a lot of good. My family is a factory family, as are many and you could have had a decent apartment with that kind of work in 13/14. Not anymore.
I live in Ohio too and we can most definitely use something like this for all of the abandoned malls. It is so sad!!! ☹😭
Check out the Arcade in Dayton, Ohio! It's an old mall much like this one that's in the process of getting renovated. I'm curious to see how it turns out.
I love in ohio too! I wish they never torn down city center!
@@hinoname3954 They justify high rent in NY and la because of the attractions and city name. There is no reason for 800 900 1000 dollars for one bedroom in columbus ohio! This is not a premium place to live its ohio!
That woman is amazing for reinventing herself ❤️
Right! I wanna buy her products
She seems like the sort of person we all want to know and be dear to.
@@nadjiao1832 I was thinking the same
What I've noticed with these housing videos is the dwellings are interesting but the people you get to talk to are fantastic.
I’ve rented rooms for years at a time, and when it’s just your two plates/bowls/glasses/cutlery, washing them by hand is fast. Since there’s not great drain rack space, I would hand dry with thin towels.
A dishwasher was an interesting choice, over storage.
You can always use the dishwasher to keep your dishes if you want.
I would end up never leaving the building lmao. This would be amazing here in Canadian winters, never get cold and have access to shopping within such short distance without ever having to step outside.
Lucky Lex Montreal has that. Apartments, shopping, entertainment, restaurants are underground with transport.
It would also be great for desert communities too, especially in the summer.
@@yvellebradley2502 -- I was just going to mention that lol. 😄👍
@@middlelle - Or for retired people. Easy to clean and you have the shops in there, you don’t even need to cook.
Whatya mean Canadian winters, LMAO. Providence is 2 hours away from Canadian border and it's full of French Canadian immigrants. They got your Canadian winter.
South Korea does something similar. They build apartments on top of shopping malls - it is SUPER useful, convenient, and fun.
Yeah and he sounds like he created the idea.
Here in Italy most buildings on the ground floor is for businesses and above are apartments.
@@user-nv3sh5jh3p there are lots out there! 😁 u can search for tiny rooms korea. some are called office loft
I think my issue with these apartments is that they feel much smaller than apartments in Korea. Mine is a bit bigger than these (300 sq. ft), but it looks a lot bigger without the weird half walls.
@@user-nv3sh5jh3p I think the Korean ones are specifically called "officetels"
I am a single person, yet not having a stove will be a deal breaker for me. At least an electric stove top (without the oven) and a toaster oven should be there! The dishwasher is completely unnecessary!
+boundless They sell single electric burners and electric skillets. You can still do your fried eggs and stir fries.
+AttnJack exactly..
i just watched popsugar's tips of cooking in the dishwasher :) anything sous vide and poached can be made in it :) just stock up on mason jars.
They cant provide a cooking facility but you could take in your own, like a electric hotplate or toaster oven. I think these would be great for students
He stated that the reason for the lack of integrated stove top was for zoning and regulation issues.
This is absolutely BRILLIANT!!!! The only thing I could do without is a dishwasher you have such a small space for just one person how many dishes are going to get dirty at one time that dishwasher should be for storage. Why this isn't done for senior housing or affordable housing. Having those shops there outside that is brilliant
All I need is a Crock-Pot and my George Foreman grill.
Yep, as a single guy my George Foreman keeps me from starving half the time 😅
True
Add and instant pot to that 😊
An electric skillet, which can double as a sauce pan, is also very useful.
@@tomeubank3625 Would they allow a two burner hotplate? That and a nice toaster oven would work really well.
I love that idea. Actually the central "hallway" with the natural light is so nice. It's like a free gym area to walk or jog no matter the weather right outside your door.
Fully agree. The couple of months I lived in a dorm, if it was cold I’d deadass run up and down the hallway with my earbuds a few times to get the jitters out at night if I needed before settling down. Sometimes in my socks lol
Yes, and when she said she can go to the first floor and grab a cup of coffee.
Why were you running down corridors, didnt your stomping from runming disturb people? It just sounds inconsiderate to run indoors.
@@BrakvashIve never been there myself but looking at the front of the building, it looks like the stairs between the floors are seperate from the rest of the building. Hopefully people don't exercise as everyone else is trying to sleep.
Not that you would know what it's like outside. Not one window to see the outside.
I would be happy in a space that size. Not much cleaning or upkeep. Definitely would not miss mowing the lawn. :)
Tess Cooks 4u Right?! I'm so sick of taking care of a big house and yard all by myself. Try mowing the lawn in Arizona 122 degree heat, ugh.
Tess Cooks 4u 丿
Donna Mills I bet your grass never grows though
I'd take that bet cuz I spend every weekend working 3 hours in my front and back yards. In the summer I have to start work by 7a and wet myself and clothing so that I stay cool enough to get both yards edged and mowed. Plenty of grass year round in AZ.
Tess Cooks 4u I learned when I was in a tiny space I was forced to binge things and I was forced to have everything clean and organized lol
lol, CNBC just did posted a video on this building today. You are ahead of the game, Kirsten! That’s why I love your channel and a long time subscriber. It was a shame to hear that they are now allowed to put them on AirBnB now. That totally defeats the purpose of the affordable living idea. It now keeps the people who need the apartment from making it their home because someone is making it their side hustle. It really should be against the lease.
This is so great especially for a young person just starting in life, a middle age person focused on there career or a person of a senior years living on a fixed income.
John Lasley I would miss a stove. I still would like to cook my own food.
@@evelinholmes6401 I would too. But you could probably buy a hot plate or mini oven. But I do like making big dishes in the oven and stove and freezing leftovers.
I live on disability so this would be wonderful, especially since I rent a tiny room for $500 already. Here I’d get a kitchen and bathroom.
Evelin Holmes it’s not the same but an instant pot will do you wonders!
The 125 sq ft micro units start at $550
I really hope this is still going 5 years after this was posted, and with all the problems we're facing in 2020. It's such a good concept it deserves to survive.
You’ll be happy to know that it is still going strong, still completely full and waiting list still totally long. That last part is still much to _my_ dismay. Living in Newport County currently like 💸💸
@@sarahwatterson5706 how long is the waiting list?
@@sarahwatterson5706 I'm trying to get this submitted to the owners of Temple (TX) mall, which is walking distance to multiple shops and BSW and not far from VA hospital which total over 13k employees. There are alot of apts in the area but most are tough to walk, I've also been bugging the city mgr ofc to build sidewalks & pedi bridges so I don't have to walk across a bridge over a highway or a I35 over a railway to get to shopping or hospitals.
It's still around, but is no longer rental apartments. They turned them into pricey condos.
@@Cloudancer2024well, that’s a problem for affordable housing
Love the black lady's positivity.
Why you didn’t make your own comment 😒 y’all get on my nerves with that BS.
Me too, it amazes me how she travels all the way from Baltimore
Ikr
@@FreeSpiritMom what? can u explain please
She and the other tenants were saying the truth people do not want to hear : we do not need much space while single or with a partner ( of course no children )
Do this with all the closed down malls. I don't like small spaces because I am very claustrophobic, but these look very well organized. I like the idea, and this particular mall is spectacular, I love the Victorian era vibe if it, and it's cool that there still are shops on the lowest level. It's very convenient and cool. Just don't go raising the prices. The idea is to keep it practical, quality, and affordable.
I have a rice cooker, tea kettle and Breville smart convection oven. I can easily live there and be comfortable!
Ooo I need a rice cooker. I love my breville so much. Beat purchase I’ve made for my kitchen.
I just discovered the wonder of the rice cooker❣️
I had to surrender my 2b/2b apt, in Jan. 2021.
It’s ok now, it was too much for me to take care of now a days.
I was blessed to get into a shelter with b/b rooms, but no kitchens. Food stamps only allow cold foods. So after 3months of eating cold food from cans, and cold cuts, the thought came to me to buy a rice cooker with the money friends sent, so I could at least have hot rice and beans. I also got a small 5cup coffee pot to heat water so I could make Ramen noodles. Then, the thought occurred to me to try heating the canned mac’n cheese, then I thought I wonder if I could cook corn beef hash or ground beef in it, so I tried hamburger patties, then salmon from the $1 store, I even tried making a grilled cheese sandwich!
It worked❣️
I would love one of those 300sf apartments, with walk-in shower, even after a 940sqf apt.❣️
Even on a scooter 🛵 I would love doing the mall❣️
I hope they do this with all the closed malls all around the country❣️
🕊God bless our helpers❣️😇🎉🎶💝
@@audrey9561 I too have a Breville I bought quite a few years ago - thankfully as our stove and microwave died two years ago and other things need to,be paid (like taxes!) so can’t afford a new stove! I can do a lot anything in my Breville once I understood about a change in temp and time😃😃😃😃
People have lost their mind in regards to rent prices. Greed is such a horrible thing.
A lot of 1 bedroom apartments here are $1800 a month. You have to make 3x the amount of rent to quantify to live there. So you’d need to make at least $5400 monthly. It’s just crazy. It’s no wonder that homelessness is such a huge problem.
@Kevin McNabb welcome to high taxes and unbearable government regulations
@@Muonium1 not to mention insurance......
@@Muonium1 I suspect most apartment owners can't actually afford the property so their plan is to use people even poorer than them to pay it off.
They scream at you that if you don't want to rent their closet for 2k, go somewhere else. And if you are homeless they are the first to call the cops because it lowers property value.
I think it’s great. But now that it’s becoming hip they are charging rediculous prices for these micro apartments or whatever the lingo is nowadays. I thought minimalistic living was supposed to be cheap.
Right hipsters ruin everything
Thats sad. This could have been a good thing for people.
@John Johnson Yup same thing with the "tiny house" phenomena , they'll make them look very "pretty" and charge just as much for a 2000+ sqr ft house. They get these marketing professionals who understand human psychology.
They should do this as one way to stop the homeless crisis. I lived in a place that was less than 30p sq ft for 4.5 years almost. I have dozens of hobbies and really enjoyed the place overall. Easy to clean, all my craft supplies were within arms reach. It looked messy a lot, but I craft best that way anyways. I live in a 500+ place now and notice I definitely would not mind living smaller again someday. If cities would just build tiny homes, that would solve a lot of the homeless problem as many single people prefer small spaces, because easy to clean and you don't need much to be content in your house. Wish seattle did this more.
In my college dorm I got some pretty decent meals out of a George Foreman Grill, I would consider a crockpot or an air fryer
They prob do but just don't say they do because of code lol a Bunsen burner is not allowed so they might have put it up while the camera crew was in
Faberwear makes a toaster oven air fryer in one. That and a foreman grill would do you well
Crockpot is the best. Also you can get an electric burner
I’d use my air fryer and the microwave.
This would be a cool place to live for a college student or a young single person.
So WHY didn't RISD buy it or why didn't the cooking University buy it They r right next to it..Brown is up on college hill?
Dorms…
The developer seems like the sort of businessman you want to have in your town. I love my big old country house, but if I had been single back when I was a medical resident, this would have been perfect.
Another commenter criticized an emergency medicine resident for not cooking from scratch; that person probably does not know that medical residents work at least 80 hours a week. At least I hope that’s why they felt free to criticize her.
Indeed. She and the other woman had exhausting days, and a peaceful place with privacy is probably the best part of renting there.
Even as a normal grad student, I worked 70-80 hrs a week!
Tina Seattle is arguing about this. NIMBYs there vote down micro homes.
BRILLIANT idea ..I love it...such a lovely historical building!!!!...
These apartments are trendy,cute & a perfect size for one person. minimalism is nice.
This would be amazing for commuter student apartments, especially in a city like Chicago.
Very cool, I would definitely feel safer living in here vs a standard apartment complex
I would agree with you. Complexes with a hotel vibe and mixed use development are probably safer than typical complexes. I don’t demand a residential feel in where I live.
What a beautiful building! 😍😍😍 And the apartments are so pretty and cozy!
I love this idea for defunct old buildings. Hope it catches on across the nation. There are beautiful structures with history that sit empty, so I'm hoping more developers catch on.
right? the architecture in this place is pretty inspiring
I just adore Sharon Kinnier’s(organic soap maker) apartment...I google her and found her products...I found her name in the description box🤦🏾♀️
Katrina I would love to live in that apartment. It’s perfect!
How cool is that. Did you make any purchases?
Love her style and color choices.
Katrina exactly what I was looking for!
i like her bedding , she has good taste and she seems like a cool lady too
When I studied abroad in South Korea, I lived in a small micro loft and I loved it! I only paid 250 a month and had everything that I needed within walking distance in Seoul - my school, restaurants, shops, and the transit system. I don't think i'll find anything for the same price here in California... I lived with 5 other people in SF and paid four times as month for a shared room. :(
Yes. $250 per month is what the rent here should be. Glad you liked it!
I would love living in a historic building like this, and I love small spaces. It makes you think through your purchases, what makes you happy, and what you really need.
I learned from the tiny house we rented that I need laundry in unit or I can't get it done (thanks disability), but they even have units for that in this building. How incredible.
Great idea! We've been seeing a similar movement in Cleveland. Old warehouses and business towers are being transformed into beautiful living spaces and they fetch a great amount per square footage. It's great to see the old being reused and the history not lost!
Wow. That's laid out so thoughtfully. It's hard to believe that I can fit 9 of those in my own home. I would love to see something like this done for particular groups of people. For example, women only housing to provide a safer environment. Elders could benefit from this where they can have their independence if they choose, or they could seek out company in common areas. I'm thinking of people in transition like those in halfway houses after rehab or prison. Now that I am on a roll, how about older disabled people who are not in medical need, but not able to live on their own.
Seriously, in the right hands, this would be a dream for so many.
I'd like to see the larger units as well if y'all could do another video on how this place is doing now.
They showed the larger one. A man lived in it.
Didn't say how much the larger ones cost, I was curious.
I this is cool. Really solves the need of providing sensible accommodation, and for tenants to be intentional in their possessions. No hoarding, no clutter. Love it.
I honestly wouldn’t mind living in one of these. Rent is so expensive in Miami, Florida and this would be a great idea for a lot of abandoned buildings around the city.
I love the perspective of that lady that makes beauty products. She’s loving her life. 4:52
Yes she is. I love her energy
Her space is cozy
Her voice is so cheery 💞
Yes, she made her small loft so cozy. She has positive energy.
Good lord, she is so lucky she was safe on 9/11. It seems like she's doing well and her house is so nicely decorated.
My husband was activated out of IRR and sent to the Pentagon for 2 years. He's retired now but he was sent other places after that... the kids were happy to have a teddy bear with his voice on it. One he said The Lord's Prayer and the other he said Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. The kids just rotated their bears. :)
A combo washer dryer would have made more sense than the dishwasher for a one person space with no stove. though I would have gotten a plug in single burner induction range so I could do SOME cooking. That said, an electric kettle, an air fryer, and the microwave can do a lot.
In my home town they turned our old school into an apartment building. Bigger appointments than this, but still makes great use out of a building that could have just sat there.
Bro they literally did the thing every kid dreams about while zoning out in class
@@Kalani_Saiko lol yea!
I was watching a video of a school turning into a home. And I laughed at how I used to watch outside classroom windows and think hey it's my lawn! 😂
@@Jacob-Jones OMG right before I watched this video I was doing the exact same
They made a school in my area into small, disabled-friendly apartments for elderly or disabled people to live in. Such a great idea! My aunt lives in one with her cat and it’s honestly super nice with a lot of the original charm of the old brick school. Plus there’s no stairs so she’s able to get around to see her friends super easily as she is wheelchair bound.
I love this... so innovative! The soap lady was so cool!
the doctor was *HOT AS FUCK*
How can we get this type of the houses implemented in California Los Angeles or just everywhere since people need space like this
Yah I live in LA and the cost of living is insane, i have a lot of friends paying over 1k for a hole in the wall.
For this to be successful, rent control is still needed. In Houston we have these, but they charge way to much for a small space, charged as "luxury".
In California, they would end up putting the homeless in there. Don't bother.
@@tiffanydegoya yep! That’s exactly how it here in the East bay!
@@thecatatemyhomework So why not?
This IS a brilliant idea and project. If I were a billionaire I would buy and convert those abandoned malls into this, and sell them as low-cost housing or low rents to middle and below middle class people.
I can see the future use of malls as they phase out ranging anywhere from shelters to assisted living facilities, to dorms! This is great. Use the land and buildings already acquired :)
Senior retirement units would be a great idea because they can have some shops and maybe a gym, plus the communal spaces to socialize (once it's safe to do so). The only issue becomes using mobility aids in a space that small so the units would have to be larger than the tiny ones.
@@XSemperIdem5 Exactly! And that's a great point! It's definitely still doable though so I hope someone does it!
Small space, less cleaning, less heating, less cooling, less $$ overhead every month...Tons of common area to hang out.. more life
to be honest, with people getting busier and poorer, and alot of people staying single...these places are perfect. This will be so common everywhere in the world in the next decade
+petrucci15 yeah but they are 750 dollar per month so not really cheap..
+Ana Chantal it is for a fucking city dipshit
+I Dislike Googleplus they are still a rip off. just because you are getting screwed less by this guy than someone up the street doesn't mean you aren't getting screwed here as well.
+petrucci15 Well they won't build these kind of buildings because, as he said, it has a lot of "dead space" that can't be used (the lovely opening in the middle with the glass roof)
+Ana Chantal It doesn't look like anyone living in that building is hurting for cash.
Interesting, but an apartment for one person does not need a dishwasher. It would be better to use that space as a cabinet.
@@LucidDreamer54321
Yeah I’m thinking maybe those tough plastic plates that can last awhile. Rinse them. But make sure there’s a good quality garbage disposal under the sink.
Brilliant! Finally someone is using their head to figure out a) housing issues and b)use of empty, solid buildings 💡
The government should allow more of this.
I agree. Short of concerns like fire safety, the government should get completely out of the way. Why not let people make their own choices on how they choose to live.
@@benjaminkesler5245 if the government get out of the way people will not follow regulations and unsafe places would be offered in the market. After the accidents start to happen people will question why the government allowed that to happen and we will go back to were we begin with heavier regulations. So is better avoid the horrible tragedies part and have the regulation in place😁
Under Trump?
@@annishilcock4587 Presidents are not in charge of housing policy in cites. This would fall under the authority of the city council and the mayor.
@@konstancjaseifried7862 ....Renting is a very good option....we have been told become a home owner but the problem with that is you have roofing, plumbing and infrastructure problems that people can't afford. If you have a mortgage you don't own it the bank does until that last payment. It really doesn't matter rent or mortgage as long as you can afford the monthly payments.
When asked about 9-11, I like how the tone of the "soap lady's" voice changed to communicate reverence. Very respectful.
@@MattInIllinois they did not but her company is called Ava Anderson, just saw it on the bottle.
James R - 👍Yes!! 💞
@@MattInIllinois Sarandipity Naturals is the name of her company. Ava Anderson are the products she was showing in this video, but not her products.
yes , i noticed the sadness in her voice
@@MattInIllinois So would I. If you find this out plz share
This is a great idea. This needs to be promoted everywhere.
I love hearing people's stories. What the catalyst was to go tiny or make career moves. They are priceless, part of our human experience......
This mall is beautiful, as mall's go. I love the fact that you have access to coffee/food right within the space if the weather is bad. Very nice. I just saw a video about an entire town in Alaska that is within a high rise building. That would make a great episode if viewed from the angle of the dwelling spaces versus the other infrastructure.
Basically like a nice dorm. The first girl needs huggable hangers for her closet.
Huggable hangers?
@@susanallen5751 they are like velvet hangers. Take up less space and the clothes cling to them to help them stay on. There’s plenty of offbrands. You can get them at Ross tj max etc
@@ah-ss7he Thank you 🙏
She, & the other residents, ought to be able to build up in their places....like adding "loft space" above the bed for storage/ hangar space.
When I was still studying architecture in a university I remember a lesson about this building! It's pretty amazing how it has changed into something like this. It's pretty sustainable and cool.
I liked the part where it showed a gathering of tenants and having their own space to work on their shop to earn income. Just amazing!
The dishwasher in that space seems completely stupid when you need the storage space so badly. I’d need space for art supplies lol
I’d use the empty dishwasher for storage 😉.. I guess a man had the “great!” idea for the dishwasher 🤣
i was shocked when she opened it up and it was empty. i would have it full of stuff! i guess because she doesn't live there full-time.
We have been in our home for eight years and the dishwasher has been a storage unit for seven and a half years.
Cats 🐈
if you do not have a stove, there is no point in having a dishwasher. i’d rather have a washer/dryer or cabinets instead of a dishwasher.
I’m in love with this “mall”! Absolutely beautiful, comfy, perfect for Medical ppl like myself. Great, genius idea!!! Come on let’s do more around country for Vets
This is brilliant. Milwaukee did this with its Grand Avenue Mall. Looks interestingly similar to this one in Providence.
This Micro Loft was divinely inspired by Spirit and the right guy listened! The tenants’ every need anticipated and it’s safe small town living at its best❤ Well done and blessings to all who enter its doors🙏🏼🕊️💖
I L-O-V-E the concept, but I too think it should've been a Washer/Dryer combo instead of a Dishwasher, or even more storage.
BookCade NB no a small stove is my thing. But I would like a small balcony. Just to smell the air
agreed, with no stove there's very little to clean so the dishwasher was kinda of a huh moment. A washer/dryer combo would've been a better use of the space.
They mentioned they have to follow rooming house code which didn’t allow a stove, maybe that also prevents them from putting in a washer/dryer.
No enough space for both
In cities a lot of those just become impromptu storage and they never run the machine
Pure ASMR and her apartment is the coziest living space I’ve seen yet
What a creative solution to housing. I love it!
I used to live in Massachusetts if you want to live in Rhode Island good luck to you I left I've been by that building it's in Providence they're one of the few cities around that seems to have a lot of antique buildings in the center most cities tore stuff like that down to replace it with newer structures.. watching this I can see why
I remember going to the arcade as a child with my mother. And in the 80s when most shops were slowly closing it was sad to see that. I like that they are doing this to keep that beautiful building still useful. Next time I'm in Rhode island, I'll need to check this out.
The downtown is very different now you won't recognize it!
very impressive. and reasonable rental prices. good re a proper bathroom. glad to see there are some real windows to get actual light even if they are small. smart idea re the common space lounge. i especially like that there are little shops right there. overall, this is very innovative. plus the idea that they repurposed an old building instead of tearing it down.
As you say Real windows, 2 in each unit in the back no matter what, and at that price when they say rents are three times that, its a bargin for certain people
Believe me: as a student, I can't afford to buy take out, getting my coffee from a coffee shop or something like that. EVERYTHING I eat I cook myself. Same with the coffee I drink. Also I don't like processed food or those frozen / microwaved dinners. Not having a stove would be a disaster for me, because cooking and storing the next meal in the fridge is MY way to go. When you buy your own groceries and cook everything at home you can really stretch your budget and eat really well.
+Holly Hobbie Fruits and veggies! Healthy, mostly cheap, and no need to cook. Also, they can get an electric portable one burner to occasionally cook rice or whatever.
+Weirdology yes! Vegetables and fruit is a huge part of my diet.
And cooking is just relaxing for me. If you plan your meals ahead, you can really come out with quality food without spending a fortune. :-)
+Holly Hobbie so this wouldn't work for you - but for a lot of us it would - I cook 95% of my meals and with a decent fridge like these units have and the small countertop appliances I use - not much would change for me - neighbourhood grocery store(s) would be essential but otherwise sign me up!
My whole life is two appliances: a steamer and my slow cooker. I think you can do a lot without a stove.
I would by myself a refrigerator and a stove. I mean that couldnt
build it, but they cant hinder you to by that.
What a beautiful building. I wouldn’t mind living there. I’d miss my kitchen gadgets, though.
I'm single and I have 90% of my meals at home,who can afford to eat out everyday?
bloodsling you can use an electric stove top that's small and compact yet still cooks your meals.
use a hot plate!
A lot of people do it, somehow. I sure couldn't. Not as nice as eating at home, anyway. You could always get a hot plate and a toaster oven, though.
a lot of times is cheaper for a single person like me. so hard to cook for just 1 person and a lot ends up going to waste or spoiling now because portions are so large. you can't just buy small anything at the grocery stores, want a few strawberries? nope, you have to buy an entire container and most are going to be wasted. so much cheaper to grab a few tacos or a burger or salad. If I had a family obviously this formula wouldn't be cost effective anymore but single I save much more money.
My husband and I have a regular-sized apartments and haven't eaten out in several months, but we've also never used our oven, but we get a ton of use out of the burners, which you can also buy as standalone countertop versions.
Answer for homeless working people who simply can’t afford high rent.
It's 750$ a month. That's not cheap. They should be 450 included utilities.
Can't afford high rent but eat out $$$ because they can't really cook.
Yeah right and they will destroy the place with drug needles, trash and pissing and crapping everywhere
Starting out at $750 and you can bet they screen who gets an apartment. No low income people.
Why are americans SO obsessed with homeless ppl
It reminds me of communal living in a way. I would definitely love this as a single person.
This is so great! I have been in this mall, it's so pretty. I love this housing solution. These condos go for $200k - $250k.