Old Mall Becomes Affordable Housing for Young Adults

The Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island shows us how old buildings can get new life. After 188 years as America's oldest shopping mall, this beautiful Greek-style building became 48 micro-apartments with rent at just $550 per month.

Our community can learn from this creative solution to affordable housing. Each small apartment used to be a store, and residents love being part of such a historic place. The building joined the national register of historic places in 1971, preserving an important piece of our country's history.

The design works well for young adults starting their careers. When residents need more space, they can use common areas like game rooms, TV rooms, and porches. The building also has laundry, bike storage, and parking across the street. Many residents are artists and young professionals who benefit from affordable rent while building their careers.

The bottom floor still has retail shops and offices. Residents can get haircuts, buy lunch, visit a bookstore, and attend author talks without leaving the building. This setup helps local businesses while giving residents easy access to services they need.

This project shows how creative planning can help both housing and economic development. We can use similar ideas to turn unused buildings into affordable homes while supporting small businesses and preserving our community's history.