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."

 

Monday, July 9, 2012 in The New York Observer

portrait of professional woman

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

3 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

4 hours ago - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

5 hours ago - Bloomberg