With the tiny house movement moving ahead, Manhattan’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is jumping in on the action to create a building dedicated to 55 micro-unit apartments. With units ranging in size from 250 square feet to 270 square feet, the apartments will be designed for functional living. Narrow and deep, the kitchen will include full-sized appliances with a pull-out pantry and storage above the cabinets. The living/sleeping area will include a pull-down Murphy-style bed or sleeper sofa, though some may be designed to include sleeping lofts – I’m drawing an inference here based on one of the original article’s description of the units.
Juliette balconies (basically railings outside a very large window or door), high-ceilings and shared public areas will be designed within the building to reduce the claustrophobic feeling that could occur within such a small footprint. Though the project is still in the design phase, the rent is expected to be affordable when compared to average rent in New York with some units using “restricted rent” (or percent of income) to determine the monthly rental price. Let’s be honest, though, affordable for New York is NOT affordable in the rest of the country; the apartment rents are expected to range from $940 per month up to $1,800 per month. The building will begin construction at the end of this year with move-in’s expected by late 2015.
Would you live in a micro-unit? At what price?
6 Comments
If I were living in NYC I would consider it due to the insane prices. I would have to save a ton of money thigh and spend little time at home because it would indeed be claustrophobic.
@Lance – That would be the downside – feeling claustrophobic might make you spend more on eating and going out!
I wouldn’t live in a micro unit! In an expensive city like New York, it may make sense, however you will probably spend a lot of your time outside your apartment. If you do not mind the additional expenses of doing that, go for it.
@Krantcents -I’d say that only cities like New York can make this work. Big city life costs a lot!
I am so spoiled. $1000-$1800 a month here gets you into a rental home or a really nice apartment with more than 1500 square feet. So, yes, if I lived alone, I would consider a micro-unit. But for $400 or less an month here.
Too expensive. But hey, it’s new york. What is cheap there anyway?