Off The Record

Man Builds Secret Condo In Mall and Goes Unnoticed There For 4 Years

Published on October 1, 2024

Are you a huge mall shopper? Most likely not too much if you work in one! Imagine, though, that you truly reside in the mall! This man chose to reside in a room inside a commercial mall that was referred to as the “accidental room.”

Big Idea

A massive retail development was finished in 1999. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the 1.4 million square foot shopping center housed 160 stores. A man named Michael Townsend used to run past the mall every day. In addition to being an artist, Michael taught painting at the time.

Because he liked to explore, Michael found what appeared to be an unintentional room when the building was still under construction. Thus, it didn’t seem to have a function and wasn’t a store.

“During the Christmas season of 2003 and 2004, radio ads for the Providence Place Mall featured an enthusiastic female voice talking about how great it would be if you (we) could live at the mall. The central theme of the ads was that the mall not only provided a rich shopping experience but also had all the things that one would need to survive and lead a healthy life.”

Michael Townsend

The Mall House

That was in 2003, four years after the incident, and Michael found the mall room empty. At this point, he believed he would use it for himself. His main intention was to spend a week in the 750 square foot room. In the end, he spent four years residing there.

“During its construction, I identified the 750 sq. foot space that the apartment currently occupies. The space was used to store materials during the mall’s construction and remained classifiably underutilized and abandoned once the mall opened.”

Michael Townsend

For a very long period, Michael was able to reside in this chamber without anyone noticing. He even had plans to add another bedroom, finish his kitchen, and lay new carpeting. Sadly, he was found out before those intentions could come to pass.

“Plans to finish the kitchen, install the wood flooring, add a second bedroom and replace the outdated cutlery were put on permanent hold recently as I was apprehended leaving the apartment. The security personnel who took care of the situation did so in a fluid and professional manner. I admit to being caught off guard after four years, and apologize for not being as forthcoming immediately with information regarding my work.”

Michael Townsend

No Punishment

Michael was lucky to escape punishment for his mall squatting. Of course, though, security barred him from the mall permanently. On his website, he also states that he has a job and is not homeless.

We don’t understand how anybody could live in plain sight and go unnoticed for that long. Still, what a neat story!