You Can Live Inside America’s Oldest Indoor Shopping Mall

The Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island, first built in 1828, was redeveloped into 48 micro-housing units.

1 minute read

March 28, 2026, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Interior of two-story The Arcade Greek-style mall with glass arcade roof in Providence, Rhode Island.

The building’s Greek-inspired facade and interior corridors used granite from Rhode Island quarries and offered a novel, weather-proof shopping experience. | LnP images / Shutterstock

A former Rhode Island shopping mall, the nation’s oldest when it closed at 188 years old, has been redeveloped into a mixed-use complex that includes 48 small housing units that rent for $550 each.

According to an article in Good Good Good, the new developer of the historic, Greek-inspired The Arcade in downtown Providence retained its historic facade and interior structure, creating space for small businesses in the lower floors and housing above. The mall was originally built in 1828 and fell into disrepair in the 1990s. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in Good Good Good

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight