“From Retail to Residence: The Surprising Revival of America’s Shopping Malls into Living Spaces!”

Have you ever wandered through an empty mall and thought, “Wouldn’t it be funny if I lived here, just steps away from a food court?” Well, turns out that whimsical thought is becoming a reality for many as U.S. malls, once bustling with shoppers, are finding new life by transforming into housing complexes. As anchor stores like Macy’s and JCPenney fade into the retail sunset, savvy real estate developers are turning these sprawling spaces into apartments, blending suburban living with the charm of mall culture. With over 192 malls eyeing this transformation as of early 2022, it’s not just a clever solution to housing shortages, but it also creates a quirky lifestyle—imagine living above your favorite slice of pizza! CNBC recently checked out projects in Colorado and Rhode Island, diving into what it’s really like to call a mall home. Curious about this trend’s potential to reshape our living spaces? LEARN MORE.

While many U.S. malls face anchor store closures and empty parking lots, some are finding new life by becoming housing. Real estate developers are building housing inside of or next to shopping malls as department stores like Macy’s, JCPenney and Sears shrink or cease to exist. At least 192 U.S. malls planned to add housing to their footprint as of January 2022. Dozens of apartment projects at malls are underway in California, Colorado, Florida, Arizona and Texas. The trend not only helps to chip away the housing shortage in the U.S., but also brings people closer to the remaining retail and restaurant spaces in shopping centers. CNBC visited a Macerich housing project at Flatiron Crossing Mall in Broomfield, Colorado as well as the Arcade Mall in Providence, Rhode Island to find out what it is like to live inside a mall. || Posted by CZ