Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: mall turned into apartment complex

[Philip Dowds (rphilipdowds]

Buildings with a narrow dimension greater than 50-55 feet have an inadequate 
ratio of window opportunity to floor plan area, and do not convert efficiently 
to residential use.  Mall site plans are designed for peak parking at 
Christmas, not for residential livability, nor for the communal principles of 
cohousing proximities.  There are other reasons why contemporary retail 
construction will resist turning into cost-effective apartments.  Surely 
exceptions are findable, but I am not picturing abandoned malls as a great 
housing resource.  On the other hand, mall shells represent some of the 
cheapest construction available, so tearing them down is not a great cost or 
waste.

Thanks,
Philip Dowds
Cornerstone Village Cohousing
Cambridge, MA

> On Aug 7, 2017, at 11:32 AM, Sharon Villines <sharon [at] sharonvillines.com> 
> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 7, 2017, at 10:59 AM, Joanie Connors <jvcphd [at] gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Perhaps abandoned malls could be a future cohousing possibility?
>> 
>> http://popl.ink/e5iU3Q
> 
> A fabulous idea. Need windows on the outside. They should be very sound 
> structurally  and fireproof (except the interior). An enclosed inner walkway 
> and CH. kids will love those hallways. Skylights.
> 
> Brilliant!
> 
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines
> Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> http://www.takomavillage.org
> 
> 
> 
> 
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