Prov. micro-lofts featured in exhibit

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Providence Arcade's micro-loft designs are going to be featured in an exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York .

"Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers" runs January 23 - September 15, 2013

• Photos: Micro-lofts

The exhibit also presents winning designs from the Bloomberg administration's recently launched pilot competition to test new housing models, as well as examples set by other cities including Seattle, Montreal, San Diego, and Tokyo.  

The Arcade was built in 1828 and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976. The building closed in 2008 because of the poor economy.

Last year, developers announced a plan to transform the top two floors into 48 micro-lofts, mostly studio spaces with an average of 225-450 square feet.

They're priced starting at $550 a month and developers say there's already a waiting list.

The ground level of the 180-year old building will hold three restaurants and a dozen new shops

The small, efficient, and affordable living spaces are designed to attract city dwellers and inject energy into Providence's downtown.  

The Arcade is expected to open this spring.