It’s true that micro-units are not family-friendly, but it’s less true that a small apartment is inherently inhabitable. While the debate rages on about how much space is too little, there is little talk of how much is too much.
Different constituencies may have their reasons for opposing these tiny units, but however varied they may be, all seem to reflect a distinctly American perception of what qualifies as “enough” space.
— opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com
5 Comments
I live in a 290SF apt in Oakland - I am looking for a "box" they will build these in San Francisco soon and sell them for $900/SF is that right?
http://www.webcompact.net/index.php/news/47386-san-francisco-considers-allowing-micro-apartments
If they were in the U street area of DC, they might sell for $400-$500/SF. Depends on where it's being sold. Demand is there. Seems for every person who doesn't like the idea, there's at least one other person who does. 50/50 is pretty good odds.
Faster turnover = faster $ for developers, too. But again, depends on where you are. They've been in NY for decades
i've always though boats were cool... you know, the kind rich people have at the beach all summer. every piece of furniture is a part of the whole and everything integrates with everything else... very space age. i feel like the same could be said for small apartments.
Who are these micro units for? certainly not working class families.
Nope. different demographic. different problem. with large working class families - the problem is money, the need for space, healthcare, daycare, commuting to/from work without relying on the automobile, money, money and money. (commuting because real estate adjacent to public transit is usually higher priced - by a lot).
Even if you reconfigured these micro units to be able to function as a single units and/or transform/combine them if you need more space - it's still going to be the same $/SF.
Better healthcare benefits could put a dent in this challenge. But that's a WHOLE other can of worms. These micro units will work - but should be carefully planned such that they don't repeat the high density low income family projects decades ago that failed miserably.
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