By Shabnam Muzammil:
A 300 sq ft “micro apartment” can provide all the space needed by an individual, said Californian developer Smartspace.
Providing all the basic necessities without taking up too much space, its small apartments (pictured) are going at US$1,600 (S$1,993.65) per month — a relatively good deal in pricey San Francisco. The clever design features include a bed folding down from the wall and table tops popping out that function as study space, reported news portal World Property Channel.
While the firm admits its design may not suit everyone, they believe these micro apartments address the growing need for affordable city accommodation. Already, European and Asian cities have been offering such tiny but overpriced apartments.
Smartspace is not alone in promoting micro-apartments in the US.
In January, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled the winner of a local competition requiring participants to design a building comprising micro apartments.
The winning design featured 55 units with sizes ranging between 250 and 370 sq ft.
“Small as it might be, the winning design was chosen for the way that it maximised light, airiness and storage space through the use of 9-foot-high ceilings, large windows, lofts and Juliet balconies,” The New York Times reported.
Bloomberg hoped the competition would ignite a trend of mini apartment complexes.
“We have a shortfall now of 800,000, and it’s only going to get worse,” said the Mayor, adding “this is going to be a big problem for cities with young people.”
Shabnam Muzammil, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email shabnam@propertyguru.com.sg
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