Mallrats

The leader of the co-op, Michael Townsend, 36, has been sentenced to probation for setting up the apartment.

Townsend said he and seven other artists built the dwelling in a 750-square-foot loft in the mall's parking garage four years ago. The artists would live in the apartment for up to three weeks at a time while documenting mall life.

Video shot by Townsend shows that the apartment was furnished with a sofa and love seat, coffee and breakfast tables, chairs, lamps, a waffle iron, a TV and Sony PlayStation 2.

However, there was no running water, so dwellers had to use the mall's restrooms.

The apartment was concealed because it was built with a cinder block wall and a nondescript utility door.

Last week, Townsend and a visiting artist from Hong Kong were surprised when they walked into the room and were greeted by security guards.