Man Secretly Lives in Mall for Four Years Without Being Noticed
Living in a Shopping Mall
Do you enjoy visiting shopping malls? If you work in one, the appeal might not be the same. But imagine actually living inside a mall! That’s exactly what one man did when he discovered an unused space hidden within a shopping center.
The Discovery
In 1999, a massive shopping mall was completed in Providence, Rhode Island. Spanning 1.4 million square feet, the mall featured 160 stores. Every day, artist and drawing instructor Michael Townsend jogged past the newly built structure.
During its construction, Michael stumbled upon what he called the “unintentional room.” This small, seemingly purposeless space was tucked away within the mall and didn’t resemble a store or a functional part of the complex.
Inspired by an Advertisement
Between 2003 and 2004, Michael heard a radio ad for the mall. The enthusiastic commercial suggested that the mall had everything a person needed to live comfortably and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This sparked an idea—what if he actually lived there?
Turning the Hidden Space into a Home
By 2003, Michael noticed that the small room inside the mall remained vacant. Initially, he planned to stay there for just a week as an artistic experiment. However, that single week turned into four years.
Michael described the space as a 750-square-foot area originally used for storing construction supplies. Once the mall was fully operational, the space remained abandoned and forgotten—until he moved in.
Over time, Michael transformed the hidden room into a livable space. He even had plans to complete a kitchen, install hardwood floors, and add a second bedroom. However, before he could make those upgrades, mall security finally discovered his secret apartment.
Caught After Four Years
Michael was apprehended while leaving the hidden space. He later admitted that he was shocked to have gone undetected for so long. He praised the security team for handling the situation professionally and expressed regret for not revealing his unconventional living arrangement sooner.
No Legal Consequences
Surprisingly, Michael faced no legal repercussions for his four-year stay inside the mall. However, he was permanently banned from the premises. He later clarified on his website that he was not homeless and had a job during the entire time he lived in the mall.
The idea that someone could secretly reside in a busy shopping center for years without being noticed is mind-boggling. Michael Townsend’s story is truly a fascinating glimpse into creativity, resourcefulness, and the unexpected ways people can adapt to their surroundings.
16 Celebs Who Don’t Care About “What People Say” When It Comes to Breastfeeding
Being a woman is no simple task. And if we talk about being a mother, the equation becomes twice as complicated. Among all the challenges that motherhood brings, supplying something as basic as food for the baby is at the top of the list. And to help people to not see it as something “out of place” or “wrong,” some celebrities do not hesitate to breastfeed their children in public, proudly and in full view of anyone who wants to see it.
At Bright Side, we salute celebrities who empower breastfeeding and the actions that come with it (like pumping). After all, what could be more natural and human?
1. Kourtney Kardashian
2. Amanda Seyfried
3. Gwen Stefani
4. Halsey
5. Kate Hudson
6. Pink
7. Paola Mayfield
8. Shay Mitchell
9. Alanis Morissette
10. Katherine Schwarzenegger
11. Chrissy Teigen
12. Amy Schumer
13. Hilary Duff
14. Lauren Hashian (and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson)
15. Heidi Montag
16. Troian Bellisario
What do you think about celebrities showing this side of motherhood? What has your experience been like feeding your baby?
Preview photo credit katehudson / Instagram, iamhalsey / Instagram
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