{{Short description|Shopping mall in Providence, Rhode Island, United States}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox shopping mall | name = Providence Place | image = ProvidencePlaceMallWestin.jpg | image_width = 250 | caption = Providence Place with [[Omni Providence Hotel]] at far left in the background | location = [[Providence, Rhode Island]], United States | coordinates = {{coord|41|49|40.58|N|71|24|59.24|W|type:landmark_scale:4000_region:US|display=inline,title}} | address = One Providence Place | opening_date = {{Start date and age|1999|08|20}} | developer = Commonwealth Development<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/business/2000/08/27/providence-place-is-coming-age/50474172007/| title=Providence Place is coming of age| newspaper=[[The Standard-Times (New Bedford)|The Standard-Times]]| location=New Bedford, Mass}}</ref> | manager = Centennial Real Estate Management | owner = [[Brookfield Properties]] (legal owner, not manager) | number_of_stores = 160 | number_of_anchors = 2 | floor_area = {{convert|1400000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} | floors = 3 | website = {{URL|http://providenceplace.com}} | publictransit=[[Providence station]] }}
'''Providence Place''' is a large [[Shopping mall|enclosed shopping mall]] located in [[Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island|downtown Providence]], adjacent to the [[Rhode Island State House]] and [[Amtrak|Amtrak's]] [[Providence station|Providence Station]]. Opened in 1999, the mall comprises approximately 1,400,000 square feet (130,000 m²) of [[Floor area|gross leasable area]], making it the largest shopping mall in the state. Developed by [[The Taubman Company LLC|The Taubman Company]], the mall spans three levels and includes a mix of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. As of 2025, the mall is anchored by [[Macy's]], [[Boscov's]], and Level99 following a series of anchor changes in the 2010s. Providence Place is currently under [[Receivership|state receivership]] due to fiscal insolvency, and is managed by Centennial Real Estate Management LLC.
==History== From 1838 to 1877, the site that would become the Providence Place Mall housed the Rhode Island State Prison, notable for the 1845 execution of John Gordon, the last person legally executed in Rhode Island. In 1854, the Rhode Island Normal School, a teacher-training institution, was established on the site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retail Moves out as Residential Moves In: The Evolution of Downtown, Capital Center, and the Providence Place Mall |url=https://artinruins.com/essay/retails-move-from-downtown-to-mall/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=ArtInRuins |language=en}}</ref> The school later evolved into the [[Rhode Island College of Education]] before relocating in 1958 to the [[Mount Pleasant, Providence, Rhode Island|Mount Pleasant]] neighborhood, becoming [[Rhode Island College]]. Subsequently, the area served as a parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sudden impact: Providence Place Mall |url=https://providencephoenix.com/archive/features/99/08/19/MALL.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=providencephoenix.com}}</ref>
The concept for an urban shopping mall in Providence emerged in 1987 under [[Joseph R. Paolino Jr.|Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr]]. The initial $300 million proposal envisioned three department stores, two office towers, and a luxury hotel, with an anticipated opening in 1991; however, challenges such as securing land from [[Amtrak]] and changes in the development team delayed progress by 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assessing the Providence Place Mall |url=https://www.insidepolitics.org/policyreports/mallreport.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.insidepolitics.org}}</ref> When [[Buddy Cianci|Mayor Buddy Cianci]] returned to office in 1991, he revitalized the project, integrating it into his broader vision for the city's "Renaissance."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mooney |first=Tom |title=Vincent 'Buddy' Cianci, 1941-2016 |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/28/vincent-buddy-cianci-1941-2016/32593767007/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> Cianci worked to secure major anchor tenants, including Macy's and [[Nordstrom]], to ensure the mall's viability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Carly |date=2025-03-21 |title=These Artists Secretly Lived in a Mall for 4 Years |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/inside-secret-mall-apartment-the-true-4-year-story-of-domestic-life-in-a-shopping-center |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Architectural Digest |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Donnis |first=Ian |date=2019-04-25 |title=April 28, 1999: The Beginning Of The End Of Buddy Cianci's Wild Ride In Providence Politics |url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/april-28-1999-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-buddy-cianci/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=TPR: The Public's Radio |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1993, Cianci and [[Bruce Sundlun|Governor Bruce Sundlun]] traveled to [[Seattle]] to persuade the Nordstrom family to open a store in Providence. Despite these efforts, the project faced delays. Elected in 1994, [[Lincoln Almond|Governor Lincoln Almond]] opposed the mall project, criticizing its financing structure during his campaign and questioned the mall's long-term viability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MacKay |first=Scott |date=2015-04-17 |title=Scott MacKay Commentary: Time For Truly Independent Scrutiny of RI PawSox Deal |url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/scott-mackay-commentary-time-truly-independent-scrutiny-ri-pawsox-deal/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=TPR: The Public's Radio |language=en-US}}</ref> Almond would later renegotiate the deal in 1995 to reduce the state's financial risk. Under the new agreement, the developer would privately finance the construction of a 5,000-car parking garage, while the state allowed the developer to retain the first $6 million in annual sales tax receipts for 20 years. Additionally, the city of Providence agreed to waive $4.5 million in property taxes annually for the same period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laborers-LIUNA's Coia Gets Courted |url=https://laborers.tripod.com/laborersorg/coia_projo_9-27-98.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=laborers.tripod.com}}</ref>
=== Construction and opening === In 1996, the [[Providence City Council]] approved a revised plan with a budget of $360 million. The mall would be constructed on a site previously occupied by a gravel parking lot known as "Ray's Park & Lock." The original design proposal featured a windowless, concrete monolithic [[Brutalist architecture|Brutalist]] structure, which drew significant opposition from residents of the city's [[East Side, Providence, Rhode Island|East Side]] and [[Providence City Council]] due to its stark contrast with the surrounding urban fabric. In response to this criticism, developers revised the plans to create a structure more harmonious with the Providence skyline. The design, led by Providence architect [[Friedrich St. Florian]] and Boston-based ADD Inc., aimed to create a structure resembling a small city. The final design incorporated red and yellow brickwork and rooftop turrets, evoking the city’s industrial heritage.<ref name="ProJo20161225">{{cite news |last1=Kostrzewa |first1=John |date=December 25, 2016 |title=John Kostrzewa: A winter night's tour of the Providence skyline |url=http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161225/john-kostrzewa-winter-nights-tour-of-providence-skyline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226060009/http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20161225/john-kostrzewa-winter-nights-tour-of-providence-skyline |archive-date=December 26, 2016 |access-date=December 25, 2016 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |quote=Just across Memorial Boulevard, you can't miss Providence Place, the huge mall built in 1999 on land once used by Ray's Park & Lock, a dirt lot for 450 cars. ... When the mall was proposed, some East Siders ... complained it looked like an aircraft carrier. They convinced public officials to change the design to include more red brick (and special yellow brick for Nordstrom) and turrets on the roof to fit the city's industrial past.}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Bell Gallery Displays Retrospective of Friedrich St.Florian's Career |date=May 12, 2006 |publisher=[[Brown University]]) |url=https://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2005-06/05-128.html |access-date=March 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724133548/http://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/2005-06/05-128.html |archive-date=July 24, 2013}}</ref> Construction of Providence Place commenced in the late 1990s, with the project ultimately costing $460 million—exceeding initial estimates by $100 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NBC 10 |date=2020-11-26 |title=TBT: Beginning stages of Providence Place mall |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/tbt-beginning-stages-of-providence-place-mall?photo=1 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref> During excavation, workers uncovered the foundations of the former Rhode Island State Prison, leading to archaeological documentation before construction proceeded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NBC 10 |date=2024-08-20 |title=Providence Place celebrates 25 years as downtown landmark |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-place-celebrates-25-years-aug-20-2024 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Curley |first=Bob |date=2024-05-20 |title=Mall Madness: Inside the Past and Present of Rhode Island's Malls |url=https://www.rimonthly.com/mall-madness/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Rhode Island Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref>[[File:Providence Place Mall exterior, night.jpg|thumb|Providence Place Mall exterior at night]]
Providence Place officially opened to the public on August 20, 1999, under the ownership of [[GGP Inc.|General Growth Properties (GGP)]].<ref>{{cite news |date=September 27, 2019 |title=Photos: From the Archives: 20 years ago Providence Place opens |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/photogallery/PJ/20190927/NEWS/927009995/PH/1 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Providence Journal]]}}</ref> The initial anchor stores included [[Lord & Taylor]], [[Filene's]], and [[Nordstrom]]. Other major tenants included [[Dave & Buster's|Dave & Buster’s]], a [[Showcase Cinemas]] multiplex, and a variety of mid-range and upscale national brands. The mall was initially reported by media as a cornerstone of Providence’s downtown revitalization efforts, joining other major projects such as [[Waterplace Park]] and the relocation of the [[Providence River]]. The mall’s construction included a large parking garage and a “Skybridge,” a distinctive [[Skyway|glass-enclosed walkway]] over West Exchange Street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Journal |first=Nora Lockwood Tooher, Providence |title=Providence Place is coming of age |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/business/2000/08/27/providence-place-is-coming-age/50474172007/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=New Bedford Standard-Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
During its first few years, Providence Place saw steady increases in foot traffic and sales. However, local retailers expressed concern over the mall drawing business away from smaller [[Euclidean zoning|commercial districts]] located downtown, while [[Urban planner|urban planners]] debated the long-term implications of a [[Suburb|suburban]]-style retail model within an urban setting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2001 |title=Economic results mixed for R.I.'s biggest mall |url=https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Economic-results-mixed-for-R-I-s-biggest-mall-11909597.php |website=Middletown Press}}</ref> Parking garage navigation and high parking fees also drew early complaints from visitors. By 2001, the mall had reached near full occupancy. In the wake of the [[September 11 attacks|September 11]] attacks, the mall faced a brief downturn in shopper activity. In 2003, Lord & Taylor closed its Providence Place location as part of a broader downsizing effort by its parent company, [[May Department Stores]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-07-31 |title=May Co. Will Close 32 Lord & Taylor Stores |url=https://www.stlpr.org/other/2003-07-31/may-co-will-close-32-lord-taylor-stores |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=STLPR |language=en}}</ref>
===Secret apartment=== [[File:Secret Mall Apartment promo.jpg|thumb|right|Promotional setpiece for "Secret Mall Apartment" at Providence Place Cinema, which ran the film regularly for over a year]] In 2003, after hearing an advertisement which imagined living in the mall, artists Michael Townsend, Adriana Valdez-Young and six others covertly built an apartment in a {{convert|750|sqft|m2|adj=on}} hidden space within the inside structure of the building, below the movie theater and adjacent to the parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2024-03-07 |title=Eight Friends Built a Secret Apartment in a Mall and Hid There Undetected for Years; A New SXSW Documentary Explains How and Why |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/markets-festivals/secret-mall-apartment-sxsw-movie-1235933334/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> They were incensed when the mall's development had encroached on their neighborhood of [[Fort Thunder|Eagle Square]] and decided to take a stand against the mall.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=In Secret Mall Apartment, 8 Artists Who Built a Home Inside a Mall Finally Speak, 17 Years Later |url=https://www.moviemaker.com/secret-mall-apartment-jeremy-workman-doc/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.moviemaker.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The apartment remained hidden and secret for over four years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bett |first=John |date=2023-01-30 |title=Man lived in shopping centre for years after making 'secret flat' in unused room |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/man-lived-shopping-centre-four-29084264 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref> The group lived there for up to three weeks at a time while documenting mall life. A [[cinderblock]] wall was built to keep the living space hidden.
The apartment was burglarized at one point, with the occupants' [[PlayStation 2]] game console being stolen. Some sources report that the mall's security guards took the console in an attempt to identify the occupants. The apartment had no running water, so the residents all used the mall bathrooms. Townsend was caught in 2007 after [[Jaffa Lam]], an artist from Hong Kong, visited and was detected by security guards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trummerkind |url=http://wrafwraf.com/trummerkind.html |access-date=2020-11-23 |website=wrafwraf.com}}</ref> After the fully furnished apartment was discovered by mall security, Townsend, the head of the artists' cooperative, was initially charged with breaking and entering, but his charges were reduced to trespassing. The story received national attention. Prior to the discovery, he was planning on building a kitchen, installing wooden flooring, and adding a second bedroom. He pleaded [[no contest]] to trespassing and was sentenced to probation on October 2, 2007. The mall banned him from entering for life.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 2, 2007 |title=Artist gets probation for building secret mall apartment |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21100501 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007135223/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21100501 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |work=[[NBC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Selin Davis |first=Lisa |date=August 15, 2008 |title=The couple who lived in a mall |url=https://www.salon.com/2008/08/15/living_in_mall/ |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mulvaney |first=Katie |title=Where Are They Now: Artist wishes he could go 'home' again to Providence Place mall |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20180217/where-are-they-now-artist-wishes-he-could-go-home-again-to-providence-place-mall |access-date=2020-11-23 |newspaper=The Providence Journal |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Accidental Room |url=https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-accidental-room/ |access-date=2020-11-23 |website=99% Invisible |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, it was announced that a feature documentary film on the secret apartment had been completed, titled ''[[Secret Mall Apartment]]'' and directed by filmmaker [[Jeremy Workman]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGowan |first=Dan |date=2024-02-29 |title=The Rhode Island documentary we’ve been waiting for |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/23/metro/rhode-island-documentary-weve-been-waiting/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229171255/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/23/metro/rhode-island-documentary-weve-been-waiting/ |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-12 |title=In Secret Mall Apartment, 8 Artists Who Built a Home Inside a Mall Finally Speak, 17 Years Later |url=https://www.moviemaker.com/secret-mall-apartment-jeremy-workman-doc/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=www.moviemaker.com |language=en-US}}</ref> The documentary was released theatrically in the United States beginning March 21, 2025, including at the cineplex of Providence Place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=2025-02-18 |title=Jesse Eisenberg Reunites with Director Jeremy Workman for ‘Secret Mall Apartment’ Doc — Watch Trailer |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/trailers/secret-mall-apartment-trailer-jesse-eisenberg-documentary-1235096495/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref> It was announced that the mall lifted the ban on Michael Townsend in anticipation of the documentary's release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Kaitlyn |date=2025-03-19 |title=Providence Place Mall Lifts Local Artist’s Lifetime Ban Just in Time for Film Premiere |url=https://www.rimonthly.com/secret-mall-apartment-providence-place-mall/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=Rhode Island Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Decline == In 2005, [[JCPenney]] opened at Providence Place, taking over the space formerly occupied by Lord & Taylor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haughey |first=Katie |date=2005-08-20 |title=At Providence Place mall, several changes in store |url=https://pbn.com/at-providence-place-mall-several-changes-in-store18561/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Providence Business News |language=en-US}}</ref> A year later, in 2006, [[Filene's|Filene’s]] was converted into [[Macy's|Macy’s]] following the acquisition of May Department Stores by [[Federated Department Stores]]. During the early 2010s, Providence Place experienced a series of store closures. [[Borders (retailer)|Borders Books]] closed its location following the company's bankruptcy in 2011. Other retailers, such as Arden B., Bailey, Banks & Biddle, and The Body Shop, also ceased operations at the mall during this period. In 2015, JCPenney announced the closure of its Providence Place store as part of a plan to shutter 40 stores nationwide; the store officially closed on August 28, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |author=News Staff|date=2015-01-07 |title=J.C. Penney to close in Providence Place Mall |url=https://www.abc6.com/jc-penney-to-close-in-providence-place-mall/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820152323/https://www.abc6.com/jc-penney-to-close-in-providence-place-mall/ |archive-date=2025-08-20 |url-status=dead |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=ABC6 Providence Now |language=en-US}}</ref>
Throughout 2016, the mall underwent major renovations. The area that JCPenney once occupied was converted into parking, and a guidance system was later added. Stateside Parking was renamed to "North Garage", and Cityside Parking was renamed to "South Garage".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fenton |first=Josh |title=15 Years Later See Which Stores Are Still Open at Providence Place |url=https://www.golocalprov.com/business/15-years-later-see-which-stores-are-still-open-at-providence-place |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=GoLocalProv |language=en}}</ref> On August 28, 2018, [[Brookfield Properties]] would acquire the mall when its affiliate [[Brookfield Property Partners]] completed the purchase of General Growth Properties for approximately $9 billion. In January 2019, Nordstrom, an original anchor tenant since the mall's opening in 1999, closed its Providence Place location. To fill the vacancy left by Nordstrom, [[Boscov's]] opened its third New England location at Providence Place on September 26, 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krause |first1=Nancy |author2=Steve Nielson |date=October 9, 2018 |title=Nordstrom at Providence Place closing; Boscov's moving in |url=https://www.wpri.com/business-news/nordstrom-at-providence-place-closing-boscovs-coming/1509822244 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010095259/https://www.wpri.com/business-news/nordstrom-at-providence-place-closing-boscovs-coming/1509822244 |archive-date=October 10, 2018 |work=[[WPRI-TV|WPRI News]]}}</ref>
On March 16, 2020, the City of Providence ordered the mall to close until further notice due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Providence Place Mall reopened to the public on June 1, 2020; however, the closure accelerated a trend of declining occupancy that had begun in the early 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=JARED PELLETIER, NBC 10 |date=2020-06-01 |title=Providence Place, Warwick Mall reopen to shoppers |url=https://turnto10.com/news/coronavirus/providence-place-warwick-mall-reopen-to-shoppers |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref> On June 1, 2020, Providence Place suffered damage after people protesting the [[murder of George Floyd]] looted 12-18 stores.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 2, 2020 |title=Providence Protesters Break into Mall, Loot Stores, Burn Police Cruiser |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/06/02/providence-place-mall-protests-riots-fire-police-cruiser-george-floyd/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602121211/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2020/06/02/providence-place-mall-protests-riots-fire-police-cruiser-george-floyd/ |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |access-date=June 2, 2020 |work=[[WBZ-TV|WBZ News]]}}</ref> Providence Place pursued a shift toward experiential retail due to market shifts; in 2022, several non-traditional tenants opened, including entertainment venues, pop-up stores, and regional food vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=GABRIELLE CARACCIOLO, NBC 10 |date=2022-11-22 |title=Expert: Malls like Providence Place face decisions about their futures |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-place-mall-garden-city-center-cranston-rhode-island-future-reinvention-apple-store-brick-and-mortar-online-shopping-johnson-wales-university-mixed-use |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=9 Experiential Concepts, 6 F&B Tenant Updates, 5 Retailers in the News, Luxury Outlook and More |url=https://www.icsc.com/news-and-views/icsc-exchange/9-experiential-concepts-6-fb-tenant-updates-5-retailers-in-the-news-luxury-outlook-and-more?mkt_tok=MTcwLVlTSC0yMjAAAAGLQ-61o3vBaVZfDu5uLwxIa318_XelXmCMAJ3AM0Ddvuq-mT8Qrl0UkLiMu9b2hThjNv0ijTZF6N1jvOuqaySnul |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=www.icsc.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=‘The energy is getting better’: Providence Place mall begins to bounce back |url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2022/11/the-energy-is-getting-better-providence-place-mall-begins-to-bounce-back |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=The Brown Daily Herald |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Default and receivership === [[File:Insideprovidenceplacemall.jpg|thumb|Inside Providence Place]]
Throughout 2023, the mall faced continued economic pressures, leading to tenant turnover and vacancies. In January 23, 2024, Level99, an interactive gaming and dining venue, opened on the mall’s third floor, replacing the long-vacant former JCPenney space.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Massive Entertainment and Dining Complex Level99 Opens in Providence |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240123828887/en/Massive-Entertainment-and-Dining-Complex-Level99-Opens-in-Providence |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213130343/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240123828887/en/Massive-Entertainment-and-Dining-Complex-Level99-Opens-in-Providence |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2025-04-23 |language=en}}</ref> In October 2024, [[Rhode Island Superior Court]] ordered Providence Place into [[Receivership|state receivership]] after lenders alleged that Brookfield [[Default (finance)|defaulted]] on a $305 million loan and now owed nearly $259 million in principal and interest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Nancy |date=2024-11-07 |title=No more breaks for Providence Place mall, now in limbo amid $259M mortgage debt • Rhode Island Current |url=https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/11/07/no-more-breaks-for-providence-place-mall-now-in-limbo-amid-259m-mortgage-debt/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Rhode Island Current |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=Christopher Gavin |author2=Omar Mohammed |date=November 1, 2024 |title=Providence Place mall placed in receivership over alleged $259 million debt |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/11/01/metro/providence-place-mall-receivership-ri/ |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref> The receivership process aimed to stabilize the property’s finances and maintain tenant leases while seeking a potential buyer for the mall. Centennial Real Estate Management LLC replaced Brookfield Properties as the mall's operator in November 2024, while Brookfield retained legal ownership of the property. A $500,000 receivership bond was issued to maintain daily operations. Centennial retained existing on-site managers to ensure continuity during the transition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Nancy |date=2024-11-19 |title=Providence Place mall operator replaced amid receivership transition • Rhode Island Current |url=https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/11/19/providence-place-mall-operator-replaced-amid-receivership-transition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119220004/https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/11/19/providence-place-mall-operator-replaced-amid-receivership-transition/ |archive-date=November 19, 2024 |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=Rhode Island Current |language=en-US}}</ref> Amid these changes, Macy's, another anchor tenant, was listed for sale the same month in November 2024, raising concerns about its future at Providence Place. While Macy's has a long-term lease, the company had previously announced plans to close 150 underperforming locations nationwide by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavin |first=Nancy |date=2024-11-19 |title=Providence Place mall operator replaced amid receivership transition • Rhode Island Current |url=https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/2024/11/19/providence-place-mall-operator-replaced-amid-receivership-transition/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=Rhode Island Current |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2025, receiver John Dorsey announced plans for significant upgrades to Providence Place, including improvements to the parking garage infrastructure and increased security policies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=MOLLY LEVINE, NBC 10 |date=2025-03-10 |title=Providence Place mall updates rules, to enforce new youth guidelines |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-place-mall-updates-rules-to-enforce-new-youth-guidelines-code-of-conduct-teens-guidance-program-congregating-groups-safety-march-10-2025 |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref> On March 24, 2025, the mall implemented a youth policy which mandated that individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older after 5 p.m. daily.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NBC 10 |date=2025-03-24 |title=Providence Place mall's youth guidelines go into effect on Monday |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-place-malls-youth-guidelines-go-into-effect-on-monday-march-24-2025 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref> On May 20, 2025, Providence Place Mall announced its first parking rate increase in over a decade, set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The announcement was met with significant backlash from tenants and the community; in response, the planned parking rate increases were indefinitely paused on May 29.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boardman |first=Christopher |date=2025-05-29 |title=Providence Place Mall scrapping parking price hike after backlash |url=https://www.abc6.com/providence-place-mall-scrapping-parking-price-hike-after-backlash/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530192049/https://www.abc6.com/providence-place-mall-scrapping-parking-price-hike-after-backlash/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2025 |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=ABC6 |language=en-US}}</ref> On June 6, 2025, John Dorsey stepped down as the mall's receiver.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-06-06 |title=John Dorsey, who’s running Providence Place mall, will leave to become federal judge |url=https://www.wpri.com/target-12/john-dorsey-whos-running-providence-place-mall-will-leave-to-become-federal-judge/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608005002/https://www.wpri.com/target-12/john-dorsey-whos-running-providence-place-mall-will-leave-to-become-federal-judge/ |archive-date=2025-06-08 |access-date=2025-06-09 |work=WPRI.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Providence Place was approved for listing in August 2025, following the approval of a brokerage agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=P. B. N. |date=2025-08-08 |title=Providence Place mall to hit the market in September |url=https://pbn.com/providence-place-mall-to-hit-the-market-in-september/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Providence Business News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowperthwaite |first=Wheeler |title=Providence Place mall will go up for sale in September. How did we get here? |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/08/08/providence-place-mall-will-go-up-for-sale-in-september-as-part-of-receivership/85577738007/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> In September 2025, [[Showcase Cinemas]] indicated it would leave Providence Place in January 2026. In response, Providence Place receiver Mark Russo sought court approval to terminate Showcase’s lease early and purchase its equipment at market value to expedite securing a replacement tenant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Castellani |first=Katie |date=2025-09-25 |title=Mall receiver wants to replace Providence Place cinema operator |url=https://pbn.com/mall-receiver-wants-to-replace-providence-place-cinemas-16/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Providence Business News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NBC 10 |date=2025-09-26 |title=Roll the credits: Providence Place seeks new chain as Showcase Cinemas plans to leave |url=https://turnto10.com/news/local/roll-the-credits-providence-place-new-chain-showcase-cinemas-leave-lease-expires-shopping-consumers-movies-imax-national-amusements-september-26-2025 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=WJAR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Providence Place mall in search of new movie theater operator - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/26/metro/providence-place-mall-seeks-new-cinema-operator-ri/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In October 2025, it was announced that [[Apple Cinemas]] would replace Showcase Cinemas, with operations expected to begin in early November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cowperthwaite |first=Wheeler |title=Apple Cinemas will replace Showcase Cinemas in Providence Place. What we know. |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/story/business/2025/10/16/apple-cinemas-inks-deal-to-replace-showcase-cinemas-in-providence-place/86731506007/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=The Providence Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DeAngelis |first=Gino |date=2025-10-16 |title=Providence Place receiver files petition for Apple Cinemas to take over movie theater |url=https://www.abc6.com/providence-place-receiver-files-petition-for-apple-cinemas-to-take-over-movie-theater/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016222311/https://www.abc6.com/providence-place-receiver-files-petition-for-apple-cinemas-to-take-over-movie-theater/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2025 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=ABC6 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==List of anchor stores== {{unreferenced section|date=April 2025}} {| class="wikitable" !Store Name !Year opened !Year closed !Notes |- |Macy’s |2006 |— |Replaced Filene’s; remains open as of 2025, though its future is uncertain due to a nationwide downsizing plan. |- |Boscov’s |2019 |— |Occupies the former Nordstrom space on the north end of the mall. |- |Level99 |2024 |— |Interactive entertainment venue located in the former JCPenney space. |- |Apple Cinemas 16 & IMAX |1999 |— |Located on the third level; includes a 16-screen theater and IMAX. |- |Dave & Buster’s |1999 |— |Entertainment and dining venue adjacent to the cinema. |- |Nordstrom |1999 |2019 |Original anchor tenant; space now occupied by Boscov’s. |- |Filene’s |1999 |2006 |Original anchor; converted to Macy’s following acquisition. |- |Lord & Taylor |1999 |2004 |Original anchor; space later occupied by JCPenney. |- |JCPenney |2005 |2015 |Replaced Lord & Taylor; space now partially used by Level99 and parking. |}
== See also ==
* [[Warwick Mall]]: Single-level regional mall located in [[Warwick, Rhode Island]] * [[Rhode Island Mall]]: Former enclosed shopping mall located in Warwick; converted to open-air [[Power center (retail)|power center]] in 2011 * [[Emerald Square Mall]]: Three-level regional mall located in [[North Attleborough, Massachusetts]]
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == *[http://www.providenceplace.com Official site]
{{Shopping malls in Rhode Island}}
[[Category:Shopping malls in Rhode Island]] [[Category:Shopping malls established in 1999]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Providence, Rhode Island]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Providence, Rhode Island]] [[Category:1999 establishments in Rhode Island]]