A group of artists discover an unused space within a Rhode Island shopping mall and build themselves a secret apartment. Is it a prank, a political statement, or performance art?

Combing passages within the newly-built Providence Place mall, a group of local artists located an unused, overlooked space within the building. They sneaked in furniture and construction supplies, and fashioned a small apartment under the noses of management and security guards. Though the confederates used the space like a club house, they considered the project a political and artistic commentary on gentrification and consumerism. They filmed themselves for four years, but they could not avoid detection forever.

The 2024 documentary film “Secret Mall Apartment” is now available on Netflix. It shows Michael Townsend and his crew building and maintaining the space. The film shows how the clandestine project was more than just a plucky urban legend, but also an artistic statement about community and capitalism.

OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "SECRET MALL APARTMENT" BEGIN IN THE FINAL 13 MINUTES OF THE EPISODE.

In Crime of the Week: Home (Alone) invasion.