The New York Apartment Gets Even Smaller

Have you ever thought those teensy 400 square foot NYC apartments were just too darn big? If so, you and Mayor Bloomberg have something in common, as yesterday the city launched an initiative to develop a new model of tiny, but affordable, housing.

1 minute read

July 10, 2012, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

Matt Chaban reports on the Bloomberg administration's new adAPT NYC initiative, which seeks to, "develop a new housing model for the City's growing small-household population." The initiative will begin with a request for proposals issued to developers for a "micro-apartment" test project on a city-owned site in Manhattan.

On this site, the city is seeking a developer to construct a rental building comprised of at least 75% of units measuring in the range of 275 to 300 square feet (well below what is currently allowed by zoning), in the hopes that the building could serve as a prototype for accommodating the city's changing demographics.

According to Chaban, "The Kips Bay pilot site invites developers to propose other zoning
changes that could make micro-apartments work better, with potential
applications citywide, such as the possibility of moving some amenities
to common spaces or toying with standardized dimensions-while still
maintaining the light and air associated with quality housing."

"Design is also an important part of the pilot. The RFP will be judged
not only on the financials but also the innovation developers bring to
their compact apartment layouts and the appearance of the entire
building."

FULL STORY: Would You Ditch Your Squalid Share for a 300-Square-Foot ‘Micro-Apartment?’

Monday, July 9, 2012 in The New York Observer

Housing New York Affordable Housing Mayor Bloomberg adAPT NYC

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.