Teeny Micro Apartments Hit the Big Apple
Finding a modern, sleek affordable (for New York) apartment in Manhattan has been a nearly impossible task - until now.
There’s just one catch: The whole thing’s about as big as the guest room in some people’s homes.
Introducing My Micro NY apartments, featuring modern comfort in 350 square feet or less.
Rendering of exterior view, looking west on 27th Street, of new micro apartments designed by nArchitects. Photo: nArchitects
For almost 30 years, NYC zoning laws have dictated that any new residential construction be sized at 400 square feet or more. This has made the single person’s search for even relatively new apartments that fit their dimensional need and desires, next to impossible.
A request for proposals was sent out in the form of the City of New York’s adART NY competition. The call to action came from a recognition of the growing number of people living alone in the city and the RFP was the most responded to in the city’s history. A clear indicator that the time for change has come.
Rendering of the NYC micro apartments, looking east on 27th Street. Photo: nArchitects
My Micro NY is the product of a collaboration between development group Monadnock Development and architectural firm nArchitect, and will be comprised of 55 prefabricated units, a rooftop deck and a few common areas.
The units, ranging from 260 square feet to 350 square feet, will include a bathroom, closet, a kitchenette with dishwasher, gas-burning stove and refrigerator and a Juliet balcony. With high 9’8” ceilings and lots of big windows, the small spaces should feel surprisingly spacious, which at $2,000 to $3,000 a month, is a bit of a bonus.
Rendering of the NYC apartments looking north on 27th Street. Photo: nArchitects
Overseen by project manager Tobias Oriwol and constructed by Capsys, the prefab modules will be constructed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and are set to be moved to their permanent home at 335 E 27th Street sometime in June.
Floor plan layout of two apartments in the new complex. Photo: nArchitects
It seems the prefab model is an ingenious way to go for this type of development. Oriwol notes that “modular construction allows for a lot of things to happen at once. One wall can be open. One wall can be closed, so you can be painting, doing wiring and plumbing all at the same time.” A modern and highly efficient concept for big city building.
Diagram of a micro unit and the amenities of the complex. Photo: nArchitects
We’re very curious to see what these tiny, new apartments in the big city will look like in reality, but will have to wait until late fall, when Monadnock estimates completion, to find out.
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