Posted on 09/24/2012 7:15:27 PM PDT by Steelfish
San Francisco To Vote On Apartments The Size Of Two Prison Cells
San Francisco may soon give new meaning to the word "downsizing." Supervisors are set to vote on Tuesday on a proposed change to the city's building code that would allow construction of among the tiniest apartments in the country.
Under the plan, new apartments could be as small as 220 square feet (a little more than double the size of some prison cells), including a kitchen, bathroom and closet, the Los Angeles Times reported. Current regulations require the living room alone to be that size.
Schematics for 300-square-foot units planned for San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood include window seats that turn into spare beds and beds that turn into tables.
Proponents say the smaller apartments would provide a cheaper option for the city's many single residents, who have been priced out of the rental market as the region experiences a resurgent technology industry.
San Francisco apartments rented for an average of $2,734 in June, up 13 percent from a year ago, according to the research firm, RealFacts. The micro-units, in contrast, are expected to rent for $1,200 to $1,700 a month, San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener told the Los Angeles Times. Wiener drafted the legislation for the smaller apartments.
It allows them to accommodate up to two people and requires an additional 100 square feet of space for each occupant above that number.
"Although in our fantasy world everyone would live in a single-family home or a huge spacious flat, the reality of life is that not everyone can afford that," Wiener said.
(Excerpt) Read more at bottomline.nbcnews.com ...
Soviet-style high rises?
Those of us who talk about it are called kooks. Meanwhile, your life and your rights are being taken away ...one by one.
It’s a great idea. For single people, the smaller the better in most cases. If I could be sure of adequate noise protection, I’d love to move into one myself. Well, not in SF (I DO have standards). :)
A lot of people in Europe have lived like this for generations.
They just don’t have as much “stuff” as we do.
If a jail cell is big enough for two prisoners it’s good enough for 2 people in san fran. 220 feet is to big.
BTW Our local Ikea has a 200 some foot floor plan setup at the MOA store. I suspect others do as well. If the doors and windows are closed I’ll bet I could pass gas and blow a window out.
No thanks!
A tiny apartment, smaller than a “studio” with kitchenette, bath, walk in closet etc is called an efficiency, and can actually be nice for a single person on a budget. Besides, no one is forcing anyone to sign a lease, and if they want they can go over to Stockton and rent a whole house for probably less.
Might as well live in a Winnebago or camping trailer.
I’m single and live in a 2,500 sf home. I have RV parking and a driveway that will hold 5-6 cars. My daughter, hubby and grandkids have moved back in with me.
I’m thinking about getting a large 5th and moving into it with the kids in the big house. You can bet this thing won’t cost $1,700 per month. Hell, I don’t pay anywhere near that for my home.
My initial thought was this wasn’t a bad idea. Heck, my first apartment probably wasn’t 300 sq. ft. It might get some kids out of there parents home.
But $1200-$1700??? That’s just crazy. It’s not as bad as New York, but close.
$1700 a month for what amounts to something the size of a camper!!?? Somebody is set to make a killing on that!
“Your papers please”
Hey, this will bring back fond memories for those liberal NY Jews of the tenements.
“You’d be surprised at the fun that can be had in 220 square feet!”
-Bwaney Frank
I’m not opposed to Single Occupancy Dwellings in crowded spaces but wow.
I’ve got one of the awesomest homes in Reno, and I also own a pretty nice house that is also horse property on the north side of town. I pay less between both of my mortgages (and I overpay intentionally 600 bucks a month), than my friends niece pays for RENT in San Francisco.
I have been saying it for years
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.