Man Secretly Builds Hidden Sanctuary in Mall, Lives Undetected for 4 Years

Man Secretly Lives in Mall for Four Years Without Being Noticed

Living in a Shopping Mall

Do you enjoy visiting shopping malls? If you work in one, the appeal might not be the same. But imagine actually living inside a mall! That’s exactly what one man did when he discovered an unused space hidden within a shopping center.

The Discovery

In 1999, a massive shopping mall was completed in Providence, Rhode Island. Spanning 1.4 million square feet, the mall featured 160 stores. Every day, artist and drawing instructor Michael Townsend jogged past the newly built structure.

During its construction, Michael stumbled upon what he called the “unintentional room.” This small, seemingly purposeless space was tucked away within the mall and didn’t resemble a store or a functional part of the complex.

Inspired by an Advertisement

Between 2003 and 2004, Michael heard a radio ad for the mall. The enthusiastic commercial suggested that the mall had everything a person needed to live comfortably and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This sparked an idea—what if he actually lived there?

Turning the Hidden Space into a Home

By 2003, Michael noticed that the small room inside the mall remained vacant. Initially, he planned to stay there for just a week as an artistic experiment. However, that single week turned into four years.

Michael described the space as a 750-square-foot area originally used for storing construction supplies. Once the mall was fully operational, the space remained abandoned and forgotten—until he moved in.

Over time, Michael transformed the hidden room into a livable space. He even had plans to complete a kitchen, install hardwood floors, and add a second bedroom. However, before he could make those upgrades, mall security finally discovered his secret apartment.

Caught After Four Years

Michael was apprehended while leaving the hidden space. He later admitted that he was shocked to have gone undetected for so long. He praised the security team for handling the situation professionally and expressed regret for not revealing his unconventional living arrangement sooner.

No Legal Consequences

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Surprisingly, Michael faced no legal repercussions for his four-year stay inside the mall. However, he was permanently banned from the premises. He later clarified on his website that he was not homeless and had a job during the entire time he lived in the mall.

The idea that someone could secretly reside in a busy shopping center for years without being noticed is mind-boggling. Michael Townsend’s story is truly a fascinating glimpse into creativity, resourcefulness, and the unexpected ways people can adapt to their surroundings.

Hollywood Legend Shirley MacLaine Turns 89 – Reveals She’s Slept with Two Prime Ministers

At 89 years old, Shirley MacLaine is showing no signs of slowing down.

Despite her age, the Academy Award-winning actress keeps busy and is often seen enjoying martinis while dining out in Hollywood.

During her seven-decade career, the star of *Steel Magnolias* has experienced a lot. Her life stories are truly unique compared to those of her peers.

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Shirley MacLaine has been around for a very long time and has made many great films during her career. Movies like *The Apartment*, *The Trouble with Harry*, *Two Mules for Sister Sara*, and *Guarding Tess* are just a few examples.

Her role in the classic 1989 film *Steel Magnolias* is still talked about today, but in real life, Shirley is very different from the short-tempered character she played, Ouiser Boudreaux.

“Not much bothers me,” she said in 2019.

“I think attitudes are a choice. Anger is a choice, peace is a choice, and sarcasm—which I’m good at—is also a choice.”

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According to Shirley MacLaine, her life today is “perfect.” She loves eating and sleeping whenever she wants and spends much of her time at her ranch in New Mexico, surrounded by her beloved rat terriers.

Born on April 24, 1934, Shirley began her successful career on Broadway in New York and captivated audiences worldwide with her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s black comedy *The Trouble with Harry* in 1955.

“He was a lot of fun,” Shirley, then 21, said about Hitchcock.

“I’m glad I wasn’t tall, thin, and mysterious, or I probably would have disliked him.”

With more than 50 films to her name, she is truly one of the giants of Hollywood history. Even in her late 80s, she continues to pursue her passion for acting and recently appeared in the television series *Only Murders in the Building*.

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“I’ve stayed in the business and never thought about quitting because I wanted to pay for plane tickets to travel. I didn’t socialize Hollywood style,” Shirley MacLaine explained. “I’d rather travel to a country I hadn’t been to. So when I think about my life, I might put the travels a bit above show business.”

Though she occasionally visits Hollywood, Shirley finds her greatest comfort in nature. Her secret to happiness is not about staying busy, but embracing the wilderness around her New Mexico ranch. Being close to nature gives her strength and energy, even though she enjoys spending time at her house in Malibu as well.

Shirley encourages others to “give it up and learn to connect with nature,” pointing out the benefits of living in harmony with the natural world. What a powerful reminder to take time for ourselves and appreciate the beauty around us!

Shirley MacLaine’s love life has also been a topic of much speculation over the years. She was married to producer and businessman Steve Parker for nearly 30 years, and in 1956, they had a daughter together. Shirley has been open about having other relationships during their marriage, showing how life can be full of complexities.

A few years ago, her daughter, Sachi Parker, made a surprising claim in her memoir. Sachi wrote that Shirley told her Steve wasn’t her real father, but that her biological father was an astronaut named Paul.

Shirley denied this, responding, “It’s a painful moment for me as a mother and as someone who values the truth. I’m shocked and heartbroken that my daughter would say things about me that are almost all fiction. I’ve praised her lovingly and truthfully in my autobiographies. I’ve always wanted the best for her.”

Life has its ups and downs, but Shirley MacLaine’s journey shows that staying true to yourself and appreciating the world around you is the key to lasting happiness. Keep embracing life’s adventures like she does!

Despite Shirley’s denial, Sachi still believes that her biological father is an astronaut named Paul. Because of this, their relationship has reportedly become strained, and they no longer speak to each other.

Shirley has also been open about her unique views on relationships and sexuality. In a 2011 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 89-year-old talked about her relationship with her ex-husband, Steve Parker. In 2012, Shirley made headlines again when she revealed to the *Daily Mirror* that she had slept with not just one, but two prime ministers in her lifetime.

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