This dude lives at the mall. Literally.
From Time Magazine:
…When the Americana at Brand opened in Glendale, Calif., in May, shoppers really got a chance to make themselves at home. That’s because the $400 million retail complex includes not just Cole Haan, Barnes & Noble and Urban Outfitters but also 100 condos and 238 apartments–part of real estate’s mixed-use trend.
Here are some quotes from the lucky tenant:
“This place actually feels more like a European shopping district.”
“It’s $2,800 a month, for a one-bedroom with a big patio. It’s not cheap, but I’m saving money on gas, ’cause I can get everything I need right here.”
“I go to the movie theater, the restaurants, the Barnes & Noble. It’s free to people-watch. If anything, I have to worry about gaining weight from the Cheesecake Factory.”
“[Frank Sinatra] seems to be playing on the mall speakers all the time. Yup. Him and Michael Buble.”
Oh dear god. I’m kinda speechless. It sounds like he’s enjoying it, but this is like my worst nightmare. Reading this just makes me grateful for my crummy, dirty, rundown apartment with no muzak and nary a Cheesecake Factory for miles.
No wonder everybody and their mom, cousin, dog, cat, god nephew are moving to PDX from California.
Until they realize that there’s weather here.
I’m from Santa Monica, CA and the biggest outdoors commercial strip there is also lined with condos above the stores, so maybe it just doesn’t seem abnormal to me.
Personally I wouldn’t want to do it — but in general, mixed-use commercial/real estate zoning is a great idea to me.
The primary problem would be that the value of your condo’s dependent on the value of the outlying commercial area… but if you’re already firmly on the side of the ‘rental’ fence, then whatevs.
With stories like these it really gets me in the mood for Halloween!
There’s a big difference from living in a “mixed use” environment and living at the mall. If you can’t figure it out for yourself, I’m not going to be able to.
This is not a “mall,” it’s a “mixed use” development referred to as a “lifestyle center.” I live in Glendale and have been to the Americana many times, and it’s amazing. Please visit it for yourself before judging it, it’s totally not what you think….