New York City’s 1.8 million one- and two-person households are almost double the number of available studios and one bedrooms in the city. On July 9, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a competition that could solve this problem. He’s asking competitors to submit designs for a rental building that is at least 75 percent made up of apartments that are 300 square feet or less.
Currently, there is a law that says newly constructed apartments in New York City must be larger than 400 square feet. Bloomberg will waive this legal requirement for the “micro-unit” pilot program, which will be located at 335 East 27th Street in Manhattan’s Kips Bay neighborhood. The units will include bathrooms, kitchens and be approximately 275 to 300 square feet.
“Developing housing that matches how New Yorkers live today is critical to the city’s continued growth, future competitiveness and long-term economic success,” said Bloomberg, at the announcement yesterday. “People from all over the world want to live in New York City, and we must develop a new, scalable housing model that is safe, affordable and innovative to meet their needs.”
