The Smallest Apartment on the Market
Pretty nice—for 175 square feet.
----------------
New York Magazine
09/20/2009

When they began converting 535 West 110th Street to a co-op earlier this year, the building’s sponsors decided to gut the top floor, where the maids’ rooms used to be, and carve one- and two-bedroom apartments out of it. They built three, and had 175 square feet left over. “We didn’t know what to do with it, so we made it the best smallest apartment ever,” says listing broker Steven O. Goldschmidt of Warburg Realty. They called it the “micro-studio.” It’s ten by fourteen feet, plus a bathroom; if you were to bring in a queen-size bed, which would take up nearly 20 percent of the room, there’d be just enough space for a dresser, a chair, and a couple of end tables. ...

More at Source

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Could you live in this space?

If so, under what circumstances...? Monday-Thursday nights in the city where you work and then beat feet back to your REAL home on the weekends? Full-time & forever? For six-months or so while you found your soul mate space? As a vacation home...?

Could you live in it longer if this apartment was in your ideal location, wherever that might be... Paris, Tibet, Corpus Christi (), the plains, the shore, the mountains...?

And HOW would you live in it...? Bed...? Couch...? Both...? Neither...? Sofa-bed? Would you have a dining area? A desk? A pet?

Could you do it if you had storage elsewhere... or would you sell everything and start from scratch?

Could you "do" Christmas dinner/Passover Seder in this space? Could you have a mate in this space? Could you have a social life in this space? Could you have breakfast in this space?

Lemme know your thoughts,
*CJ

Smallest place I ever lived in was about 300 sq feet, and it wasn't fun.

Next bigger place was about 900 sq ft and it had a little back yard--five minutes walk to the HB pier. That was fun!

 
Why wasn't the 300 sq footer fun, Winkin? Did you have to sacrifice too much stuff to live there, or you didn't like where it was, or why you were there , or... what?

I love strolling through Ikea when they re-do their "500 sq ft Living!" or "375 sq ft Living!" displays... seeing how it could be done and what does/doesn't make it into the displays just fascinates me. If you're ever in an Ikea store and see a fat old lady sitting in one of the displays for a reallyreally long time, that's probably me.

As you can probably tell, I'm getting really fascinated by small spaces and how the right design & furniture --and certainly "attitude"-- can make them "palaces." I'm probably thinking downsizing due to the GG being 16 and all the fluttering of wings & practice flights he's making.

*CJ

*CJ,
     I lived for a year in a room, 8 x 7 feet, if my memory can be trusted, on the landing between the first and second floors of a brownstone near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. I think it was carved out of a surplus bathroom, because it still had the lavatory. I was happy there because it was only a ten minute walk to the public library, where I learned a great many things that have since been disproved.
Seán

It's livable.

Two twin "hollywood" beds (no headboards/footboards) in an L shape in the corner opposite the windows/radiator. (They can be pushed together should a S/O stay the night. Voila King. On high casters so there is underbed storage. Small bookcases on either end rather than night stands (gotta have books!). Matching armoire and wardrobe between the windows (looks like there's 6' available there). Semi-sheer Roman blinds in the windows - no curtains. TV & dvd in the armoire...music system & speakers spread atop both units. A coffee table which can be raised to dining height...folding chairs stored under one of the beds. Overdoor hanger on bathroom door for guests' coats. Pet? Cat...litter box in bathroom. Very small or teacup dog. Hanging plants in the window (big spider/wandering jew/pothos?) And it looks like shelving (glass?) could be added over the kitchen area and far wall over the bed for books/collectibles...with sliding door fronts and non-glass shelving they could be more storage. Pop it all with an area rug with a lot of green that emphasizes that floor and ties the green plants, bed coverings (I'd do them in blues and greens), vivid toss pillows together.

General rules in such small space? Everything must have at least two uses, and up is good.

 
Good thoughts, RC!

I'd invest in some Ikea floor-to-ceiling cabinetry placed to the left of the front door as the only closet space... use the "living room" side of it as a wall up against which I'd need at least a double bed tucked into the corner... couch by day, bed by night. Headboard would consist of (probably custom) open shelving & cubbies down close to the bed/couch for books, alarm clock, kleenex box, jewelry box, reading lamps, etc. and some closed storage (drawers or baskets that'll fully fill bigger cubbies) higher up for linens/etc. No end table necessary what with the headboard running the full length of the bed/couch.

Opposite the back of closet/bed (the wall w/ nothing on it) I'd do more cabinetry the length of the wall... bookcase stereo system, flat screen TV, books (LOTSA books!), a few decorative items, several plants, closed storage. A desk on the far-right side (closest to the window) w/ a drop-leaf desk... for me it'd be open most the time but it could be closed if it had to be.

A couple of storage ottomans on casters to serve as extra seating or coffee table or kitty perch. Or as, novel idea, an ottoman! They could live under the windows when not in use.

Skirted table between the windows to shield litter box and the 12-pack of paper towels I need to feel rich. A glorious table lamp, probably slightly off-white linen shade and hammered silver base... 3-way bulb of course.

A lipped shelf running the perimeter of the room, 12" - 15" from the ceiling... decorative items and baskets for unpretty schtuff. Oh, and for books, of course. (Did I mention LOTSA books?)

White sheers (quadruple width) at windows to multiply the light.

Color scheme antique/farmhouse white & denim to light navy blues.

Think "yacht."

*CJ

Um....I don't see a refrigerator in there.

quote:

Originally posted by Gitana:
Um....I don't see a refrigerator in there.

It's the block of stainless on the far right of the kitchen counter... one of those dorm-sized 'fridges.

I'm thinking there might well be storage space for each unit in the basement... that's very common in NYC renovations. If so, my space would contain a small freezer amongst other things. If not, I might try to find a space for it in the apt itself... put a to-the-floor tablecloth over it and tuck it into the far-left corner (opposite side from the desk) of the custom shelving unit on the back wall. Heck, put it on castors and use it when entertaining as the mobile bar unit.

*CJ

quote:

If so, my space would contain a small freezer amongst other things.

Would the common storage space have electric outlets for everybody?

Henry

 
A lot of times they do, Henry...

I'm not talking about the sorta storage spaces that're made by throwing some 2' x 4s & chicken wire together.

The storage spaces I've seen in NYC rehabs are secure, locked, temperature-controlled rooms with electricity, decent flooring and real ceilings. Folks store their wine or beer 'fridges in 'em, or use it as their gift-wrapping/sewing/workshop/crafting spaces or store their Xmas tree (unpacked & fully decorated even ) and blow-up mattress in 'em, or use 'em as a slightly inconvenient pantry when they've gotten to a Costco.

They're not BIG spaces, mind you... mebbe 5' x 5' or (real luxury) 6' x 8'... but it's enough to store LOTS of stuff.

*CJ

 
Come to think of it, I suppose one could supplement one's income --'cause gawd knows living in NYC is expense hell-- with a lil' meth lab in one's basement storage room, but I think the condo asociation might catch on and I'm betting it would be against their restrictive convenants.

*CJ

quote:

Originally posted by *CJ:
 
The Smallest Apartment on the Market
Pretty nice—for 175 square feet.
----------------
New York Magazine
09/20/2009

When they began converting 535 West 110th Street to a co-op earlier this year, the building’s sponsors decided to gut the top floor, where the maids’ rooms used to be, and carve one- and two-bedroom apartments out of it. They built three, and had 175 square feet left over. “We didn’t know what to do with it, so we made it the best smallest apartment ever,” says listing broker Steven O. Goldschmidt of Warburg Realty. They called it the “micro-studio.” It’s ten by fourteen feet, plus a bathroom; if you were to bring in a queen-size bed, which would take up nearly 20 percent of the room, there’d be just enough space for a dresser, a chair, and a couple of end tables. ...

More at Source

---

Could you live in this space?

If so, under what circumstances...? Monday-Thursday nights in the city where you work and then beat feet back to your REAL home on the weekends? Full-time & forever? For six-months or so while you found your soul mate space? As a vacation home...?

Could you live in it longer if this apartment was in your ideal location, wherever that might be... Paris, Tibet, Corpus Christi (), the plains, the shore, the mountains...?

And HOW would you live in it...? Bed...? Couch...? Both...? Neither...? Sofa-bed? Would you have a dining area? A desk? A pet?

Could you do it if you had storage elsewhere... or would you sell everything and start from scratch?

Could you "do" Christmas dinner/Passover Seder in this space? Could you have a mate in this space? Could you have a social life in this space? Could you have breakfast in this space?

Lemme know your thoughts,
*CJ

It doesn't seem so bad to me if you're a student and lived near the library and the park and had lots of friends and had some hope for the future. Manhattan is an incredible place to be - especially when you're young and the world is an open unwritten book.

Holy Bhagworm

quote:

Originally posted by Holy Bhagworm:
It doesn't seem so bad to me if you're a student and lived near the library and the park and had lots of friends and had some hope for the future. Manhattan is an incredible place to be - especially when you're young and the world is an open unwritten book.

Holy Bhagworm

I'm thinking what w/ a job, friends & city attractions to keep one outta the space a lot of time, it'd be just big enough for a single of almost any age, even with an occasional ummm... friend... visiting.

*CJ

quote:

Originally posted by *CJ:

quote:

Originally posted by Gitana:
Um....I don't see a refrigerator in there.

It's the block of stainless on the far right of the kitchen counter... one of those dorm-sized 'fridges.

I'm thinking there might well be storage space for each unit in the basement... that's very common in NYC renovations. If so, my space would contain a small freezer amongst other things. If not, I might try to find a space for it in the apt itself... put a to-the-floor tablecloth over it and tuck it into the far-left corner (opposite side from the desk) of the custom shelving unit on the back wall. Heck, put it on castors and use it when entertaining as the mobile bar unit.

*CJ

Could be an Avanti under-counter (which is only 19" wide...the appliance there looks wider), but I think the stainless on the right is a d/w. The refrigerator is a full-size built-in, which looks like a pantry on the left of the range. ???

If it is a d/w, why waste space on a d/w &/or pantry when a full fridge could go in there?

quote:

Originally posted by Reality check:

quote:

Originally posted by *CJ:

quote:

Originally posted by Gitana:
Um....I don't see a refrigerator in there.

It's the block of stainless on the far right of the kitchen counter... one of those dorm-sized 'fridges.

I'm thinking there might well be storage space for each unit in the basement... that's very common in NYC renovations. If so, my space would contain a small freezer amongst other things. If not, I might try to find a space for it in the apt itself... put a to-the-floor tablecloth over it and tuck it into the far-left corner (opposite side from the desk) of the custom shelving unit on the back wall. Heck, put it on castors and use it when entertaining as the mobile bar unit.

*CJ

Could be an Avanti under-counter (which is only 19" wide...the appliance there looks wider), but I think the stainless on the right is a d/w. The refrigerator is a full-size built-in, which looks like a pantry on the left of the range. ???

If it is a d/w, why waste space on a d/w &/or pantry when a full fridge could go in there?

I agree that a full-sized DW would be silly... m-a-y-b-e a DW that's 18" wide (Sears sells 'em as portables that can be easily installed under a counter), but I also agree that that hunk of stainless looks wider than 18" or 19".

The Avanti 'fridge could be it, else it could be a freezer/refrigerator drawer combo... Sub-Zero or some other ridiculously priced tres chic brand.

A full-sized refrigerator would be equally silly... it's Manhatten after all... folks are used to shopping every couple of days for their food stuffs, especially perishables. Passing a local green grocer, a big deli and a small grocery on the way to/from work every day, it's not like you have to buy milk by the gallon or soda by the case, ya' know?

I've had bigger 'fridges in my campers than some folks have in their NYC apartments.

*CJ

Well if they're going luxe, and regular frig and/or freezer storage isn't necessary, put in an 18" wide tall frig - they can be had, and add a u/c freezer...which might make room for a wine bar...which is, imo, more important in NYC than a d/w. (I absolutely hate d/w...does it show? Absolutely hate daily grocery shopping too. )

And after all, your question was "how would [the respondent] live in it?"

quote:

Originally posted by Reality check:
Well if they're going luxe, and regular frig and/or freezer storage isn't necessary, put in an 18" wide tall frig - they can be had, and add a u/c freezer...which might make room for a wine bar...which is, imo, more important in NYC than a d/w. (I absolutely hate d/w...does it show? Absolutely hate daily grocery shopping too. )

And after all, your question was "how would [the respondent] live in it?"

Oh, absolutely RC... if that's what YOU would do, that's all fine & good.

But I believe the kitchen --as it's photographed/offered for sale-- lacks a full-size 'fridge which is not an abnormal thing in Manhatten apartments.

I'm not a wine drinker so a "beverage center" of any type wouldn't work for me... every time I'd have to wash a plate I'd glare at it!

But if I were configuring that kitchen m'self, I'd probably go for the 18" d/w and a really, really tiny "full-sized 'fridge" (literally, like they have in RV's... mebbe 8' or 9 cubic feet in a 5' x 22" size... I'd tuck that into the pantry area (yeah, probably behind the door just to keep the clutter look at bay) and in the leftover space (6" or so) to the right of the 18" dishwasher, I'd put in some open shelving... cookbooks, recipe box, mebbe my cell phone charging station and a hook for m'keys. I was thinking I could use it to store the newspapers before I take 'em downstairs to the recycling bin, but that'd be fugly... I'll store the newspers in the 'coat closet."

Oh, and I'd probably either rehang the bathroom door so it opened-right/hinged left... or find a way to make the bathroom door a pocket door.

*CJ

I love your ideas. You'll have to join RC and me in Yoville on Facebook CJ and see how we have decorated our apartments there. RC is so good and attentive to the process she has now acquired several homes. I'm saving up for one. Warning: It's like the damn Truman Show!

I actually had a Manhattan apartment of said size once. Well wait. It was more correctly located in Brooklyn Heights in the ninth floor turret of a Victorian building overlooking the lower Manhattan skyline which is even better than actually being in Manhattan. It has since burned but a replica was built over which there remains great controversy.

At the time we lived there it was a "transient hotel" but much has been written:

quote:

The view from the apartments, hotels, and rooming houses along Columbia Heights, the street that edges the bluff, is one of the most exciting in the world; it includes Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island, the Statue of Liberty and the shipping factories and wharves along the East River. A popular vantage point is the plaza at the foot of Montague Street. The distinguished artist Joseph Pennell found the vistas from his studio atop the Margaret Hotel on the Heights more exciting than those from the London Embankment, and he made many etchings of the harbor. The locale was also made famous by Ernest Poole in his novel, The Harbor.

source

There were five large windows in this small, somewhat seedy room facing the above plaza and the river. There was a double bed, night stand, a blonde dresser with mirror, two chairs, a small formica table with two dining chairs. The ceiling fixture actually consisted of one light bulb, To the side was a bath with another large window with great view, a small closet and a Pullman kitchen with a tiny gas stove. For the life of me I can't remember the fridge. No dishwasher of course. It was just down from the Hotel St. George where I would catch the subway, Henry Ward Beecher's church and Poor Richard's Corner where I think Benjamin Franklin had lived.

There was an interesting, diverse population. There were large poor Puerto Rican families in the lower floors (No windows there and one could feel the IRT rumble by) and above us lived a General in the Army as a more permanent resident who had a beautiful penthouse he had remodeled for the view.

I had this great portable Columbia stereo and at night when I turned off the lights I'd be surrounded by a marvelous view of all the Manhattan lights and classical music. It was a peak experience.

I loved that place as much or more than any I've ever lived. The furnishings were meager but the lights of Manhattan and the activity on the river were the decor....When we left, I cried all the way to Philadelphia. I never wanted to go home again.

Peachy

Yes, CJ...come join us. You'll know at least one other in our town...I steal ideas from her and Peachy all the time. They're both terrifically creative.

Peachy - Truman Show - . I didn't know you were saving for the house. You go...the houses are even more fun. If I can help, speak.

Well thank you. I can't afford much so I was thinking of taking an ordinary ranch and making a beach cottage out of it instead of that strange thing in the water they offer. The new windows with ocean scenes are great! Plus remember....I won't spend real money. The new beachy windows are very pretty and there are palm trees that can be stuck around.

It will be my ....."get-a-way"

Did I tell you that strange man who seems to be italian invited me to his apartment? He said there was a group in his living room who was going to watch the game one Sunday afternoon. I didn't go. I thought that was just toooooooooooooo weird....Besides, I have someone to watch football with in RL and my Italian isn't all that good.

Peachy

quote:

Originally posted by Avenging Peach:
Well thank you. I can't afford much so I was thinking of taking an ordinary ranch and making a beach cottage out of it instead of that strange thing in the water they offer. The new windows with ocean scenes are great! Plus remember....I won't spend real money. The new beachy windows are very pretty and there are palm trees that can be stuck around.

It will be my ....."get-a-way"

Did I tell you that strange man who seems to be italian invited me to his apartment? He said there was a group in his living room who was going to watch the game one Sunday afternoon. I didn't go. I thought that was just toooooooooooooo weird....Besides, I have someone to watch football with in RL and my Italian isn't all that good.

Peachy

Kewl idea. My ranch is coming soon...it's the last of those offered for coin. The only one I consider finished is the mobile, but the beach offerings has me mulling totally revamping it...after all, it's supposed to be a vacation place with a lake behind it.

Gad, he is a weirdo. Maybe you need to buy the police station.

P.S. I think I would have loved your NYC place too...atmosphere, diversity and location....YES!

quote:

P.S. I think I would have loved your NYC place too...atmosphere, diversity and location....YES!

I actually called on some of the neighbors, ....being only 20 and from the south, I figured that was what one was supposed to do. The general was very helpful getting me into the commissary on Governor's Island.

We drove up from Key West to meet my hubby's ship which was to be overhauled in the Brooklyn yards. It took us about as long to drive as it did for the ship to sail....about 35 knots.... When we met the ship they told my husband to hop aboard because their orders had changed and they were off to San Juan the next afternoon. We scurried about finding the place. It seemed safe enough because although there was no doorman of course, there was a desk clerk and three latches on the door!

The windows did open and shut but there were no screens. As the ship passed on the river the next day, I took the red bedspread and waved it out the window. The ship blew it's horn. I thought it was to acknowledge me but instead, it almost collided with the Staten Island Ferry. It seems the Ferry had a special right of way the Captain didn't know about. So when I use "I" it was because I mostly lived there alone and spent my 21st birthday there.

I can say, without equivocation, that the people in that building, the manager, and all the people I met in NYC were the friendliest of any place I've ever lived.

BTW......The Old Mole was a neighbor....or former one he and I discovered....so you know it just had to be very, very cool......

Peachy

quote:

Originally posted by Avenging Peach:
I actually called on some of the neighbors, ....being only 20 and from the south, I figured that was what one was supposed to do.

That's funny...

When I moved in down here, I was shocked that no one came calling... it was like four or five weeks before anyone deigned to wave at me from across the street or nod their head in m'direction if they were sittin' on their porch when I arrived home from work. The GG was welcome in the neighbor's homes when he was playing w/ their kids, but absolutely NO ONE came to m'front door.

I was slightly crushed... like, what the hell had I done, bought the mass murderer's house or somethin'??

Sidebar: Up north many homes have windows along the lines of 3' x 5' if your home was built after 1900 but prior to 1970, smaller if it was built prior to 1900. One of the things I luvh'd about my house down here were these HUGE expanses of windows... I have four windows on m'ground floor that're 8' wide by 7' tall. The first month or so I lived here I couldn't bear to even put up curtains... I was so entranced with the sunshine streaming in, the light-and-airy feeling of all that GLASS.

Then I got my first electric bill... the a/c necessary to counter allllllll that sunshine streaming in the windows damn near killed me. First thing I did after I could sit up & take light nourishment was put up curtains on every window!


And then here came alllllllll the neighbors. I mean for the better part of two weekends I couldn't sit down for more than 30 minutes without someone else stopping by to visit... cake or flowers or casserole in hand.

It seems that around these parts, one doesn't go a-visitin' until the curtains are on the windows... it's some sorta international signal that the home is ready to be seen and the new neighbors met.

Who knew...?

*CJ

Well now that's funny. Thing is, I lived in Tayhas for two long hot windy years...I didn't find it very friendly at all....least of all, the Texas sun.

I identify with your windows story, and needing them, . When house hunting in Tayhas we couldn't understand why the yards were so small with all those wide open spaces. So what did we buy? The one house with a large yard. It was about as smart as your large windows. We just had to have the one with the big yard! It was in a little village near Ft. Worth called Pantego.

We had to put in a lawn. That meant I had to put in a lawn while my husband was at his air conditioned office and I stayed home tending to my little ones. Everyone else sodded with St. Augustine but el cheapo hubby seeded with Bermuda and left me to water and weed. I'd put on my bathing suit in the scorching heat and go out and water and weed and water and weed while sitting on the ground under the sprinkler getting soaked and cool. Watering sand in the sun is about as rewarding as trying to eat from a sieve. I don't sun burn much so I'd stay out way too long...under the sprinkler, digging at every weed and chasing gophers and children. Several times I made myself quite sick because I guess I thought I was cool...but I really wasn't.

I learned to respect the Texas sun.

Peachy

 
Update

As the original article stated, the dvelopers had the 175 sf condo listed for $195,000 and it sold for $150,000 and is currently occupied by (hold on) two adults -and- their two cats.

Pics here.

Story here.

Clothing storage? They always eat out. Seriously, they don't cook, they don't own pots/pans, the cooktop is where the cats are fed and the 'fridge (btw Cammie, the 'fridge is that small block of stainless steel appliance in the original pics) is almost empty and they own one kitchen appliance, a cappuccino machine, so they use the kitchen cabinets to store the cat box, and for what few clothes they have... they jog to work and (I love this) have work clothes stashed at strategic dry cleaners along the way.

I think they could have done a LOT more w/ it than they have.

Oh, and while the original article said the monthly fees would be $170 it turns out they are actually $700 per month. Yikes!

*CJ