Imagine a world where we decreased the space of our abodes right down, to the point where everything could fit between 225 to 800 square feet.

Though it might sound like a terrible idea – and indeed I agree it’s not exactly suitable for some families – it’s proving to be a huge boon for America’s oldest indoor shopping mall.

You read that correctly. Following the trend of micro-houses we’ve seen pop up in recent years, within The Arcade in Providence, Rhode Island, you can find 48 apartments equipped with everything one needs to live properly.

The fact the building itself dates all the way back to 1829 – and was made a national landmark in the 1970s – makes the project even more brilliant.

The shopping center itself actually consists of three levels, with the first floor being given over to retail stores and the second and third floors featuring tiny apartments. Owner Evan Granoff was open to converting the unused space into something both liveable and affordable, and so he produced a series of micro-sized spaces in which people can exist.

Each apartment comes furnished and includes a bed with drawers, cushioned bench/seating, refrigerator, and shelves. They have all the amenities one might want, whilst being extremely efficient when it comes to use of floorspace.

In fact, Granoff’s project has proven so popular that there’s actually a wait list to move into The Arcade.

What’s more, the homes are actually fairly cheap when it’s considered that tenants are being offered downtown living. Micro lofts also exist in places like Portland and New York, but while they might be valued at up to $1,000 a month, The Arcade’s edition comes in at a pretty feasible $750.