In the late 1990s, a strange housing experiment unfolded in Rhode Island. It was not advertised or permitted. It existed quietly inside a busy shopping mall. This hidden space, known as the secret mall apartment, was built by artist Michael Townsend. What began as an art protest turned into one of the most unusual living experiments ever documented.
Who Is Michael Townsend?
Michael Townsend was an artist and art teacher living in Providence. He focused on temporary art installations and public space. Much of his work explored impermanence and forgotten environments. These themes would later define his most famous project.
Townsend lived in an artist district near downtown Providence. The area housed studios, music venues, and shared creative spaces. Many artists lived there because it was affordable and flexible.
The Mall That Changed Everything
In 1999, developers began building Providence Place Mall. The mall was massive and ambitious. It was meant to revive downtown. Instead, it displaced nearby artists and residents. As development advanced, rents increased rapidly. Artist housing was demolished. Entire buildings were removed. Townsend and many others lost their homes. The mall became a symbol of lost space and unchecked development.
A Protest Inside the Mall
To protest the mall, Townsend and friends planned a short experiment. They challenged themselves to remain inside the mall in secret. The goal was to last ten days without detection. During this time, Townsend noticed a structural flaw. Two major mall buildings were never fully connected. Between them sat unused space. That gap sparked the idea for the secret mall apartment.
Finding a Hidden Room
The unused space was challenging to reach. It required navigating service corridors and maintenance tunnels. Some passages were narrow and unfinished. Eventually, Townsend reached a large, empty room. It had no assigned purpose. No cameras monitored it. Mall staff never visited it. The space was invisible by design.
Building the Secret Mall Apartment
Construction happened slowly over several months. Townsend and friends carried cinder blocks inside shopping bags. They blended in with mall shoppers. They built a wall and installed a locking door. Electricity came from nearby service outlets. Lighting was added with work lamps. Furniture came from mall stores and thrift shops. A couch, table, chairs, and artwork followed. The secret mall apartment began to feel real.
Living Inside the Mall
No one lived there full-time. Friends stayed overnight or for several days. Some stayed up for up to 5 days at a time. There was no bathroom inside the apartment. Mall restrooms were used during open hours. Food came from mall vendors. The space became a private gathering spot hidden in plain sight.
Discovery After Four Years
After nearly four years, mall security found the hidden door. They broke it open and searched the apartment. Security removed a photo album and a game console. The saved game data showed how often the space was used. Photos identified the people involved. Security waited for Townsend to return. When he did, the project ended.
The Court Case and Its Outcome
Prosecutors filed multiple charges. The judge disagreed with their severity. Only misdemeanor trespassing remained. Michael Townsend received a lifetime ban from the mall. The secret mall apartment was sealed and removed. The space returned to obscurity.
Why the Secret Mall Apartment Still Matters
The secret mall apartment exposed unused urban space. It questioned who controls buildings and cities. It challenged how development treats existing communities. For Michael Townsend, the project was never about comfort. It was about visibility and resistance. The apartment turned protest into a lived experience.
A Story Bigger Than the Mall
Over time, the mall declined. Stores closed, and foot traffic dropped. The apartment became legend. The story reminds us that cities contain forgotten spaces. Sometimes, people find ways to live inside them. The secret mall apartment remains one of the most unusual housing stories ever recorded.
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Sources
Secret Mall Apartment – Wikipedia
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