'Hidden Gem: The 'Secret Mall Apartment' Becomes New England's Beloved Quirky Folk Legend'

In 2019, when Jeremy Workman was shooting a documentary in Athens, Greece, he became intrigued by tape art.

“This building was covered in tape art I responded with, "What the heck is going on here? This is incredible. The walls were adorned with sunsets and unicorns along with various forms of visual play," Workman explained during our recent telephone conversation.

He looked for the tape artist. It was someone from Holden. Michael Townsend .

The pair started conversing. Workman, hailing from New York City, was astonished by what he heard.

In Southern New England, this story has become part of the local lore as an urban legend with a basis in truth. The year was 2003 when eight artists took over a section of the Providence Place Mall. These creative individuals found themselves a vacant 750-square-foot loft area. Among their endeavors were bringing in essential items like a sofa, a PlayStation, a television, and even a waffle maker. Additionally, they transported approximately two tons of cinder blocks originally from an apartment wall.

In 2007, mall security found the apartment. Townsend was apprehended and prohibited from returning. He did not identify anyone else involved.

"I assumed he was pranking me," Workman informs me. However, Townsend possessed footage—loads of it.

The idea for Workman’s documentary "Secret Mall Apartment" began to take root.

Subsequently, Workman presented some unedited documentary clips to Jesse Eisenberg, who he had collaborated with previously. Eisenberg was astonished by what he viewed. knew that mall.

While working on "The Miseducation of Charlie Banks" (2007), Eisenberg stayed at The 903 condominiums near Providence Place. Actually, during this period, Eisenberg resided there when what Workman referred to as "The Mall Eight" were living just steps away, and he aimed to join them.

In 2024, "Secret Mall Apartment," directed by Workman and executive produced by Eisenberg, had its New England debut at the Somerville Theatre during the Independent Film Festival Boston.

Now it has come full circle: The film will be screened at The Somerville Theatre will be showing films from April 11-17. as part of a nationwide theater release.

The current sensation in Providence-based tape art Townsend Currently engaged with middle and elementary schools located north of Boston, ranging from Wayland to Acton—a Q&A was conducted on April 11. On April 12, Townsend will team up with Workman for a post-screening Q&A at 7 p.m. Extra perks included. The couch will make sure to stop by this week for photos and updates. #MallCouch

Like many from these regions, I've essentially been familiar with this story since childhood. The year 2018 captivated me with its tale. 99 Percent Invisible The podcast covered it, and I found Workman’s documentary captivating. This isn’t just another tale of youthful hijinks set in a shopping mall. For Workman, the core theme revolved around "metamorphosis."

What exactly was the mall apartment? Was it an installation of Dada art? Or perhaps a bold statement against urban development? Maybe it functioned as a clubhouse or served as some kind of elaborate joke? Perhaps it encompassed all these elements? This is what he aimed to uncover.

Gentrification was approaching. In the documentary, artists mentioned that they observed intrusion into their cherished Eagle Square, which consists of former mill buildings. Situated at its heart is Fort Thunder, as depicted by ArtForum As "a dilapidated, cluttered warehouse in Providence... for a specific type of wanderer, a sacred place—a mecca for an ultra-psychedelic art form encompassing both visual and auditory extravagance."

The musician Brian Chippendale mentions in the film about Eagle Square: "A developer arrived, and people began to be evicted," he explains.

Last week, when Eisenberg appeared on "The Tonight Show" to publicize the documentary's nationwide launch by feigning he had been living beneath Jimmy Fallon's desk for an extended period, it likely resonated most with those of us from southern New England who recall the early 2000s era.

From New Hampshire to Connecticut, people in New England have adopted this narrative as their own," Townsend shares with me. "The audience in New England perceives it as: 'This tale belongs to us and is absurd, wild, and entertaining, yet it holds a profound significance for us.'

The film is now being screened nationally, ranging from Seattle to New York City, and from Austin to Los Angeles.

On March 21, when it was shown at Providence Place Mall, Michael made an appearance. Yes, he has been reinstated. (I inquired about this information.)

It’s screening locally At over a dozen Massachusetts venues such as those in Lexington, Foxboro, West Newton, and Worcester, along with locations in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

I reached out to Workman—he was in Los Angeles for a screening of the film when I contacted him—to discuss the origins of the movie, how New England embraced its own "peculiar" folklore, Townsend’s untheatrical comeback to the shopping center, and additional topics.

I first interviewed you Regarding this movie since its debut in Somerville in 1924, it feels like coming full circle. How has the response been over the past year?

It’s been incredible. It has two aspects. First, this is an exceptionally significant tale for people from New England. That’s why it became such a legendary story, remaining as folklore for numerous years.

It has also been quite intriguing to observe how, whenever we have presented it, other cities that have no Connection to this — be it in Pittsburgh, Columbus, or San Francisco — they often say, "We recognize this; these types of corporate changes affect us too." "Although I reside in Springfield, Missouri, we experience similar things here."

It all came together during your time in Greece where you were shooting a documentary on New Hampshire natives. Lily Hevish .

I was recording Lily for " Lily Topples the World in Greece. She was involved in an extravagant domino toppling art project alongside the inventor of the Rubik’s Cube, Ernő Rubik — This elderly man from Hungary who is 80 years old.

Wow. That’s awesome.

[laughs] Indeed. The tape art left me amazed, prompting me to seek out the creator. Michael shared his tale with me; he played some clips for me—what I witnessed was unbelievable. I put significant effort into persuading both him and the rest of them to consider making a documentary. It wasn’t an effortless task. These individuals are true artists who cherish their enigma. Going public went against everything they were accustomed to. However, they understood: This narrative is truly compelling and holds even deeper layers waiting to be uncovered.

The 99% Invisible podcast had already been released by that time.

Exactly, it was the sole instance they had ever experienced. Not everyone was involved, just Michael. Perhaps Michael was beginning to feel an urge to share his tale.

There were two notable aspects to our encounter in Greece. First, he observed me during filming, actually seeing me create a movie firsthand. This provided him with insight into my working style. Additionally, we connected when I knew him primarily for his skills as a tape artist. Not The man who resided in the shopping mall. Initially, I viewed him as an artist primarily, with a secondary role as a prankster.

That’s correct. You mentioned that you viewed this story as "a Trojan horse."

I really like the concept of individuals entering the movie through one entrance and then exiting via a different exit. Entering, f course Sure, here’s your take on their experience: "Wow, what a trick! They actually resided in a shopping mall!" This reflects the sensational angle taken by The New York Post. However, once the film ended, you could have thought: "This movie took me to unexpected places emotionally. It made me feel things I wasn't anticipating."

In the end, how did you personally interpret it?

It involved transformation. Viewers can sense that as well. When watching, one might think: "This is a protest against gentrification. Their workspace was torn down, so they decided, 'Why not reside in the shopping mall? To hell with them.'"

All of a sudden, it begins transforming. It turns into a treehouse for artists who are profound thinkers engaged in remarkable creations. Then, it changes once more. Now, it’s like "This place" becomes as an artwork unto itself, this intricate dada insider joke.

That change shaped my method, as I understood movie n It needs to constantly change. Just like how the apartment changed over time.

This involves many varied elements for both myself and the audience. Some people see it as a protest against urban redevelopment. Additionally, these individuals are creators; they transform their experiences into artistic expressions. At other moments, I feel like what we're witnessing is essentially a brilliant hoax. It’s humorous, and they fully embrace the comedic act.

Michael was at the mall when it first showed in Providence on March 21. He was permanently allowed back again.

Sure, the mall switched hands recently. It went through rough patches and ended up under receivership until a fresh team took over. The new crew’s vision was something along these lines: Let's make this mall an integral chapter in what we call Providence history. We aim to fit right in rather than dampen spirits. Everyone here felt really excited about it. By the end of the weekend, due to high interest, those initial eight showings ballooned to twenty-four. Thousands flocked to the mall throughout the event.

Were you walking together with Michael when he came in for the initial entry?

The first time he returned wasn’t at all dramatic. No celebration took place. I would often jest that once he was unblocked, we should throw a grand parade for him. I simply rolled over, glanced up, and remarked, "There’s Michael."

[laughs] You mentioned that Eisenberg first became involved because he had a personal link to the area close to the mall.

Jesse has really outdone himself. Everyone seems to think, "He just puts his name on things without contributing," but actually, it’s quite the contrary. Last weekend alone, he attended four Q&A sessions in New York City. This is someone who’s genuinely involved. n production guiding his latest $10 million musical featuring Julianne Moore [still without a title, as of now] Deadline .]

He also experienced a hectic awards season with "A Real Pain," a project he was involved in as writer, director, producer, and lead actor. Kieran Culkin took home an Oscar for his role in it.

He’s so He is busy but has such a great affection for this film.

He was simply appearing on "The Tonight Show" acting as though he had secretly been residing beneath Fallon's desk. Had this concept originated with him?

I believe it originated from their concept. After someone proposed it, Jesse immediately said: we have to transform this into an amazing piece. He was in the writer’s room collaborating with them.

What reactions did you receive after performing at the initial Somerville show? Is this well-received among many people in Boston?

Oh gosh, so many folks in Boston can relate to this. You see, Providence acts as the lesser-known little sibling to Boston. Almost everyone in Boston is familiar with this tale—they might have grown up hearing it, or perhaps they recall it vividly. Every person from Boston has likely visited that shopping center or at least passed by it. It’s conveniently located just off Route 95. This place serves as a connection for Bostonians to that distinctive, peculiar aspect of New England culture.

The interview has been shortened and condensed for clarity.

Lauren Daley is a freelance cultural writer who frequently contributes articles. You can contact her via email at ldaley33@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter. @laurendaley1 , and Instagrams at @laurendaley1 . Explore more tales on Facebook here .

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