Tiny Modular Apartments on the Way to NYC

NYC Mayor Bloomberg recently announced the winning design for the 300 square foot “micro apartments” that are intended to create affordable housing for singles in New York City.

The project, called My Micro NY, beat out 33 other proposals to win the competition, called adapt NYC.

Based on the winning design, the city's first "micro" building will have 55 rental apartments, all ranging from 250- to 370-square-feet with big windows, ample storage space, and Juliet balconies. The building will also have a public meeting space, café, and common rooftop garden for residents, as well as a laundry room, residential storage space, a bike room, and fitness space.

Architect's rendering

Mayor Bloomberg touring model of My Micro NY

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2014 at 335 East 27th Street, in Kips Bay.

Residents are expected to begin moving in by September 2015. The building will be rent stabilized, environmentally friendly, and — with the exception of the size — will follow all local, state, and federal housing regulations.

Under current zoning laws, all apartments must be at least 400 square feet, but Bloomberg said in July that the new micro-units would be an exception.

My Micro NY will also be the first multi-family building in Manhattan to use modular construction, with the modules prefabricated locally by Capsys at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The city is expecting a wait list for the apartments, which will likely range from $940 for a studio up to $1700 for a two-person apartment. A few units will be reserved for low-income families.

$940 a month in NYC for a new apartment...sign me up today!