‘Secret Mall Apartment’ Documentary Gets Limited Release in Providence

Over 20 years ago, a group of Rhode Islanders discovered abandoned space at Providence Place Mall and turned it into a secret apartment.

Many people wondered how it was possible for this group to live inside the mall in secret for over four years and now we can all find out.

The documentary film Secret Mall Apartment debuted at the South By Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas last winter and now it is officially coming to a theater near you.

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Where To Watch the Secret Mall Apartment Documentary

Perhaps ironically, this limited release film is going to be showing at Showcase Cinemas’ Providence Place Cinemas 16 and IMAX starting this weekend.

From March 21 through March 26, you'll have a chance to see the 91 minute movie about a group of artists living inside the Providence Place Mall from inside the Providence Place Mall yourself.

READ MORE: Remembering the Secret Apartment Inside Providence Place Mall

There are only a few days of big screen showings at select theaters across the country before we all cross our fingers for a streaming date too.

What Is Secret Mall Apartment About?

Back in 2003, when artist Michael Townsend discovered the secret space he turned into a luxury apartment, the plan was to spend about a week living there.

Instead he and seven friends lived inside the mall for over four years, sneaking in furniture, tapping into the mall's electricity and even building their own cinderblock wall.

READ MORE: Providence Place Mall Enforcing Strict New Code of Behavior

Throughout it all they were filming.

Using handheld cameras the friends recorded much of their 2003-2007 adventure and that combined with artist interviews make up this dazzling documentary.

It has already earned rave reviews from a number of publications and several film festival awards from around the world.

Now it is playing where it all started. Inside the Providence Place Mall beginning March 21.