Built in 1828, Rhode Island's Arcade Providence is considered to be America's oldest indoor mall. The three-story building, nearly two centuries old, has now gotten a "historic revival." Where once it was filled with bustling shops, the top two floors are now converted into 48 ultra-tiny but ultra-chic loft apartments.
Lessons from the Westminster Arcade in Providence how to retrofit suburban #malls for housing https://t.co/OH1HOVkwJB pic.twitter.com/cLlyUpXqaP
— Sprawl Repair (@SprawlRepairMnl) April 15, 2015
"People talk about saving historic buildings, but often, the only way to save them is to make them economically viable," says owner and developer Evan Granoff.
All units open up to the building's almost 200 years of history, left untouched. The beautiful 19th century architectural design is still apparent, with its glass ceiling, Giant Greek columns, granite walls, and classic facade. On the main floor are local specialty stores focusing on fashion, art design and coffee shops that embrace the landmark's significant past.
Lessons from the Westminster Arcade in Providence how to retrofit suburban #malls for housing https://t.co/OH1HOVkwJB pic.twitter.com/cLlyUpXqaP
— Sprawl Repair (@SprawlRepairMnl) April 15, 2015
Each apartment, though small, is efficiently designed. The smallest unit, with only 225 square feet, is complete with a small living area, a tiny kitchen, a bedroom, and an adjacent toilet and shower. Basic furniture such as bed, storage and seating are also provided.
"It's really all you need for one person," says resident Naz Karim, an emergency doctor.
To abide by the city's building code, the micro-lofts are classified as "rooming houses" and therefore cannot have cooking devices such as stoves and ovens. But each unit comes with a built-in microwave oven, dishwasher, and a double-door refrigerator.
"If you're a single person in the city, chances are you aren't cooking anyway," says another resident. "It's a hotel on steroids."
Clearly, these apartments aren't for families, but they are perfect for young professionals and older individuals looking to downsize. Their small size also comes with a small price tag, with units going as low as $550 a month. This is almost half the city average's rental cost.
Surprisingly, the concept of micro-lofts is tapping into its own niche in the market. According to Yahoo, all Arcade Providence units are now rented out and even has a full waiting list.
Watch the video below by Fair Companies to take a tour.
