Community Chat

[lolakimono]

Micro-lofts above retail space-

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/are-americans-ready-to-live-this-small-2016-04-07

What do you think of this solution?

[I am still oxox]

Honestly the look like jail cells

[deepwaterdotter]

Bad news for shopoholics.

[Annabellethecat66]

Not much different than apartments (I guess).  The generation that would be buying them probably wouldn't have a problem with them.

That generation is already closed off as far as human interaction.  Go into a place like "Chipolte" and watch...maybe 7, 8 teens come in and sit down...they all are on their phones...never look up except to put food in mouth...tap tap tap then they all get up and leave....no words are spoken and they're right next to and across from each other.  No laughing or talking to each other...

You'd think something like this would promote closeness, but based on what I see for the future from observation, I really doubt it.

My generation knew all of their neighbors and relied on them.  New people have moved into my neighborhood (6 families just this year) and they are never outside and us old timers don't even know what they look like!

Sad really...

[DiAnne]

I think it is a great idea and hopefully it will be affordable housing.

[wishmoon]

I live in Central Pa and know that the stores in our malls are going out of business. So, instead of retail/residence, why not have the entire mall changed to residences, perhaps for the elderly. There are strip malls in the area and most malls have bus service. The few stores left in our local mall won't be able to pay their rent much longer so this might be a solution.

[Mominohio]

I think in major cities, there is a big call for small living quarters like this as younger generations are all about the job/career, travel, experiences, and never seem to be at home, they are so busy.

I think these are great little spaces that would fit the needs of many people at that particular point in their lives, if the mall spaces are close enough to their jobs or to mass transit that they would use for transportation.

Also great start over spaces for recent divorced or widowed folks, or those coming into a new area, and just starting a job. Not a big commitment until they get on with the next phase of their life. 

[gmkb]

Seems like a lot of positives, but a couple of potential issues to be resolved.

Renting to college students (males in particular) could result in a lot of damage and cleanup to the mall area.  

The mall area would have to be secured after hours so access was not possible.

A secure separate entrance and exit would be necessary for the apartments so the general public would not have access to living quarters.

[nana59]

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@lolakimono wrote:

Micro-lofts above retail space-

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/are-americans-ready-to-live-this-small-2016-04-07

What do you think of this solution?

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the first picture looks like a renovated indoor mall here in Providence, RI......