Microscopic living or micro living has been getting a lot of press lately since plans for NYC’s new micro-community launched back in January. The 55 modular homes will range between 250 – 370 square feet.
One of the principal designers of nArchitects, the firm that will be designing the capsule-like spaces, said that some of the key features will be high ceilings “to give it a feel of spaciousness” and sliding glass doors opening up to Juliet balconies “so the tenant feels a connection to the city”. The units will also feature 70 cubic feet worth of overhead loft space (think the size of a cars trunk); deep closets and full size kitchens with pull out pantries and fold out counters. The market rents for these units will be around $2000 per month.
So I get that these “micro” apartments are being designed with “tiny” in mind, but what about the hundreds of miniscule residences without the fancy features and hidden storage spaces which already exist in NYC? To me, 250 – 370 sq feet is “normal”. In fact, I just signed a 6 month exclusive to sell a 295 sq ft studio in a pre-war coop in Midtown for almost $300,000. My points is, these microcosms are nothing new, rather just very cleverly marketed, and to be fair, designed.
If you want to talk tiny, two years ago I rented a 150 sq ft apartment to a European client. Her budget was $1400 and her first priority was to live near Lincoln Center. I knew of only one building that had a studio available close to that price. However, the apartment was literally 150 sq ft (!!), and a tad over budget at $1450. I’ve been in closets much larger than this.
Nevertheless I showed her, she loved it and took it on the spot. I couldn’t believe it. I’d never shown an apartment of that size before but that’s besides the point. To her it was perfect, had everything she needed and was a block away from Lincoln Center. She wound up living there for a year and couldn’t have been happier.
Here’s what a 150 sq ft apartment looks like for $1450 per month:
Entry
Kitchen
Living room with loft bed
Bathroom