99% Invisible – Episode: Secret Mall Apartment

Introduction

In the March 25, 2025 episode of 99% Invisible, host Roman Mars delves into the intriguing story of a group of artists who transformed a neglected space within the Providence Place Mall into a secret apartment. This episode not only uncovers the creative endeavor behind the apartment but also explores the broader history and evolution of American shopping malls through an insightful interview with author Alexandra Lang.

The Secret Mall Apartment Story

Background on Providence Place Mall

Providence Place Mall, inaugurated in 1999 with a significant investment of $500 million, was envisioned as a super-regional, all-encompassing shopping destination. Roman Mars sets the scene by highlighting the mall's extensive size—spanning 13 acres with 1.4 million square feet of retail space—and its dominant presence along the Woonasquatucket River in downtown Providence, Rhode Island.

Discovery of the Secret Room

Michael Townsend, an artist and the ringleader of the apartment project, recounts his early observations of the mall during its construction in the 1990s. Initially optimistic about the mall’s addition to the neighborhood, Townsend noticed an odd, unused space within the mall's architecture. “Providence Place was going to be a big, boxy stack of shops without much in the way of architectural niceties,” Townsend explains ([02:56]).

As construction progressed, the peculiar room remained unexplained, sparking Townsend’s curiosity. This space, surrounded by unnecessary walls, was inadvertently segregated from the main functional areas of the mall.

Creation of the Apartment

Driven by a blend of artistic expression and a response to personal loss—after losing their home at Fort Thunder to mall expansion—Townsend and his friends devised a plan to repurpose this forgotten room. Their initial idea was to live in the mall for seven days, adhering to a strict rule of not leaving the premises.

“They couldn't leave,” Townsend states ([06:37]), emphasizing the commitment and seriousness behind their project.

Living in the Mall

The group meticulously prepared the space, transforming it from a debris-filled chamber into a livable apartment. They removed construction remnants and brought in essential supplies, such as water, lighting, and kitchen essentials. Vanessa Lowe, a member of the group, describes the process: “We were literally filling up our backpacks with just dirt and grime and then carrying it out of the mall...” ([10:16]).

Their efforts culminated in a functional living space, complete with a television, PlayStation, and even personal touches like shadow boxes and a waffle iron. The apartment became their sanctuary, allowing them to experience the mall not as consumers but as residents.

The Break-In and Fallout

Four years into their clandestine living arrangement, the group's secret was compromised when two mall security guards discovered the apartment following a mysterious break-in. Personal items, including a PlayStation and artwork, were stolen, signaling that someone had become aware of their presence.

“This is a very odd burglary. Like, they didn't take the things of value. They only took the things that were, like, super personal,” Lowe remarks ([13:56]).

Confronted by the authorities, Townsend faced legal repercussions. Although he was ultimately charged with a misdemeanor for trespassing and released, the incident resulted in a permanent ban from the mall, symbolized by a map with a red line they were forbidden to cross.

The Mall's Changing Fortunes

Years later, the Providence Place Mall struggled financially, falling behind on significant debt and entering receivership. In an unexpected turn, the mall's management sought to rehabilitate its image by engaging Townsend once again, commissioning him to install art pieces and hosting the premiere of the Secret Mall Apartment documentary. Innovative ideas, such as converting parts of the mall into residential apartments, were considered as strategies to revitalize the struggling retail hub.

Interview with Alexandra Lang

To provide a comprehensive understanding of malls’ rise and decline, Roman Mars interviews Alexandra Lang, author of Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall. Lang offers an in-depth exploration of the mall's origins, design philosophy, and its role in American culture.

History and Definition of a Mall

Lang clarifies the distinction between malls and other shopping centers: “A shopping center is outdoors and a mall is indoors. The earliest malls were basically just two shopping strips put together...” ([24:47]). She traces the etymology of the term “mall” to London’s Pall Mall, a long, narrow street used for public gatherings.

Victor Gruen and the Original Mall Concept

Victor Gruen, often hailed as the father of the modern mall, envisioned malls as community hubs that mirrored the vibrant streets of European cities. Gruen’s designs incorporated amenities like fountains, benches, and communal spaces to foster social interactions. Lang explains, “Gruen definitely saw the malls as having a community function... [they] were thought of as replacing downtown” ([26:29]).

Rise of Super Regional Malls

As the 1970s and 1980s progressed, malls evolved into super regional centers with extensive retail options and entertainment facilities. Lang notes, “In the 1980s, you begin to get the first wave of boredom with the mall... putting an amusement park in the middle of the mall. Once you put it, it gets exponentially bigger” ([37:59]). Iconic examples like the Mall of America exemplify this trend, incorporating attractions such as roller coasters and aquariums to draw larger crowds.

Public vs. Private Space in Malls

The dual nature of malls as both public and private spaces has led to legal challenges, particularly concerning free speech and the right to protest within mall premises. Lang discusses landmark court cases spearheaded by figures like Thurgood Marshall, highlighting the tension between mall owners' desire to control their property and individuals' rights to express dissent. “Malls are replacing downtowns, should they also have to operate like downtowns and let whoever wants to have free speech have free speech on these properties?” ([41:13]).

Current State of Malls and Future Prospects

Lang provides a sobering assessment of the current mall landscape. From a peak of approximately 2,000 enclosed malls in the U.S., the number has dwindled to around 1,500, with projections suggesting a continuation toward 800. Factors contributing to this decline include the rise of online retail, changing consumer preferences, and economic disparities affecting shopping behaviors.

However, Lang remains optimistic about adaptive reuse opportunities. She cites examples like Highland Mall in Austin, Texas, which has been repurposed into a leadership campus for Austin Community College and other innovative uses. “These buildings aren't just buildings in their communities. They’re very conveniently located... I see the malls as an opportunity, and I would love for people to get more creative about what to do with them” ([53:12]).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Secret Mall Apartment episode of 99% Invisible masterfully intertwines a unique human story with a broader analysis of the American mall's lifecycle. Through Michael Townsend's audacious project and Alexandra Lang's historical insights, listeners gain a multifaceted perspective on the intersection of design, community, and commerce. As malls continue to evolve or fade, the episode underscores the enduring impact these vast consumer spaces have on our social and urban landscapes.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Townsend ([02:56]): “Providence Place was going to be a big, boxy stack of shops without much in the way of architectural niceties.”

• Vanessa Lowe ([10:16]): “We were literally filling up our backpacks with just dirt and grime and then carrying it out of the mall...”

• Vanessa Lowe ([13:56]): “They didn’t take the things of value. They only took the things that were, like, super personal.”

• Alexandra Lang ([24:47]): “A shopping center is outdoors and a mall is indoors. The earliest malls were basically just two shopping strips put together...”

• Alexandra Lang ([26:29]): “Gruen definitely saw the malls as having a community function... [they] were thought of as replacing downtown.”

• Alexandra Lang ([37:59]): “In the 1980s, you begin to get the first wave of boredom with the mall... putting an amusement park in the middle of the mall. Once you put it, it gets exponentially bigger.”

• Alexandra Lang ([41:13]): “Malls are replacing downtowns, should they also have to operate like downtowns and let whoever wants to have free speech have free speech on these properties?”

• Alexandra Lang ([53:12]): “These buildings aren't just buildings in their communities. They’re very conveniently located... I see the malls as an opportunity, and I would love for people to get more creative about what to do with them.”

This summary incorporates key discussions, insights, and notable quotes with appropriate timestamps, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.