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425 Sq. Ft. Micro Loft in Manhattan’s Upper West Side


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When the architects, Specht Harpman, were presented with a project to renovate this 425 sq ft apartment they didn’t realize it would be their most unusual project yet.

The way the apartment was laid out was odd for the amount of space it had. In addition the ceilings went up vertically 25 feet with access to the rooftop terrace.

The four level loft plan brought a solution to this modern micro apartment. It was inventive and creative.

Each loft flowed from one level to the next making the feel of the apartment very open and inviting.

The first level is the entry to the apartment plus the kitchen.  Just a few stairs up is the main living area, above the living area would be the sleeping space with a cantilevered bed pavilion.

The final stairs lead up to the garden rooftop terrace. Perfect for a small dog!

Check out the built-in storage on the stairs of the lower level. Looks like plenty of space to store all your necessitates, right?

And don’t forget about the bathroom…it’s located just under the staircase.

4-Level Flowing Modern Micro Loft Apartment with Rooftop Garden Terrace

425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-00

Images © Specht Harpman

Before Renovation

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Images © Contemporist

After Renovation

425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-01 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-02 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-03 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-04 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-05 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-06 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-07 425-Sq-Ft-Micro-Loft-Manhattan-08 modern-loft-manhattan

Images © Specht Harpman

I bet living in a small apartment like this one would feel very calming once stepping in after being out on the busy streets of Manhattan.

Like walking into your own little oasis, right?

Well, if I lived in Manhattan this would be the perfect simple living solution to the busy city vibes.

What do you think?

Could you live in a place like this?

Share your thoughts below in the comments 🙂

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Andrea is a contributor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the Tiny House Newsletter! She has a passion for sharing tiny and small house stories and introducing you to new people, ideas, and homes.
{ 33 comments… add one }
  • Otessa Regina Compton
    July 24, 2014, 7:28 pm

    IT DOES HAVE SOME CLASS, I WOULD CHOOSE MORE OF A TROPICAL DECOR WITH COLORS, BUT IT SURE DOES NOT LOOK ALL THAT MICRO. THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR A COUPLE WITHOUT ANY CHILDREN TO START OUT, A SINGLE PERSON, OR AN OLDER COUPLE. I COULD USE SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, WITH REASONABLE RENT. THEY SHOULD CONSIDER THAT CONCEPT HERE. ANY BUILDERS PLEASE STEP FORWARD.

  • CW
    July 24, 2014, 9:10 pm

    This is a well designed small loft but there’s nothing “micro” about it. The Tiny House community would find this quite spacious. New Yorkers would find it more than adequate. It’s not “micro”.

  • July 25, 2014, 12:43 am

    I really love it. Currently live in big house in country and love the idea of Manhattan. Curious as to the cost for the architect work and the final cost of buildout for it. Really want to do tiny living and having a hard time deciding perfect place.

    • Stephen
      August 21, 2014, 3:41 am

      Yes, it is tough to make that kind of decision. You might want to consider Spur, Texas (http://www.spurfreedom.com) as an option. I heard Spur announced at a recent workshop I attended as a place that is extremely welcoming. The possibilities and potential is exciting!

      • Alex
        August 21, 2014, 10:25 am

        Cool! Thanks for sharing Stephen! I’ll remember to do a post on Spur really soon to help spread the word about that.

  • Paul
    July 25, 2014, 3:27 am

    Couldn’t live in New York at all!!! The city that NEVER sleeps? OMG! How am ah supposed to keep lookin’ fab darlin’, how?

  • Denise
    July 25, 2014, 11:13 pm

    This is an extremely clever way of dealing with the space. It even has it’s own private yard. I love it.

  • Glema
    July 28, 2014, 4:09 am

    Love the under stairs storage, very nice! Not into the rest sorry. Thank you for sharing just the same. God bless and Happy Trails!

  • Tom
    July 29, 2014, 2:43 pm

    This is great. I love modern looks. However, looking at the before pictures, to me it seems they stripped the space of it’s charactor. Instead of stripping it of charactor, why not update and make it more efficient without losing the the charactor of the vintage building. This would be fine in a mid century or later building, but to lose the exposed brick wall, oak railings etc is a real disservice to the unit in my opinion. This is probably a 1920s building. Now you have a space ship space in a vintage building. Just doesn’t fit the architecture. You can have clean updated looks without destroying charactor.

  • Heather
    July 30, 2014, 10:25 pm

    I love it. I think the white walls really open the space and make it more…spacious. : ) And the texture of the brick is still apparent, so the character hasn’t been spoilt at all. It’s quite ingenious, and really goes to show how much can be done with a small footprint pad. Thanks for sharing!

  • Benita
    August 2, 2014, 3:38 pm

    Totally love this! I wish the cost for this unit would be provided and if this is available to others, I would totally love it!

  • Stephen
    August 21, 2014, 3:33 am

    What an excellent solution with the modern minimalist appeal! The access to the rooftop is icing on the cake!

  • Marcy
    September 4, 2014, 5:37 pm

    What’s not to like? Fantastic and clever use of space.

    • Alex
      September 4, 2014, 6:02 pm

      Thanks Marcy!

  • October 9, 2014, 5:50 am

    This is fab! I love it. I guess to some it’s not “micro” but for many it is! I know in London, Paris it’s not small but many other places (outside expensive cities) it is not the norm

    • Keemee
      February 13, 2017, 12:36 pm

      Your right! In the south where I live apartments and homes are larger. Space is not at a premium as in New York.

  • Shane
    February 13, 2017, 12:02 pm

    That is bloody marvelous, what a transformation. I personally am not into the “tiny” movement, but that looks bigger than what it is. I love the colors, very modern and contemporary. a well laid out plan, well done.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 14, 2017, 7:52 am

      It’s quite creative!

  • Keemee
    February 13, 2017, 12:31 pm

    I’m not unusually tempted by modern architecture and clean lines but I like this. It’s clean and bright. I don’t see a washer & dryer. Other than a nice size fridge that’s my priority in a small home. I can’t imagine living in such a great space and going to a laundromat.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 14, 2017, 7:51 am

      Yes i would love one too 🙂

  • Colette Ballew
    February 13, 2017, 12:39 pm

    Love the very clever use of space. Would even like to see each step have a secret drawer. Could live in that space easily, especially in Manhattan or Paris or London…your own little oasis. Love it and would like to thank the design team for sharing…great ideas on how best to utilize space.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 14, 2017, 7:50 am

      Glad you liked it!

  • Alex
    February 13, 2017, 1:51 pm

    ?

  • Kathy Hurley
    February 13, 2017, 2:06 pm

    Stunning and brilliant. What a perfect oasis to come home to.

  • February 13, 2017, 2:34 pm

    I think it’s the ideal place for an artist to a loft or studio where the laboratory study could be the top floor which enjoys light from the terrace, albeit indirect but real strength as a useful and pleasant outdoor vent.

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 14, 2017, 7:22 am

      Oh yes absolutely!

  • Susanne
    February 14, 2017, 8:28 am

    Amazing… Would love to see outside! Also i agree with Tom that it could have had an updated look but still keep the brick, etc… That would be fabulous also! So many people do it….?

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 15, 2017, 7:11 am

      I love brick 🙂

  • ROSEE
    February 14, 2017, 10:09 am

    BEAUTIFUL all around. Too modern for my style. My guess is some folks would love living in it. Well done!

  • Barnie
    February 24, 2017, 6:22 pm

    Just plain excellent!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      February 27, 2017, 8:04 am

      Agreed!

  • Tracy
    March 5, 2017, 7:48 am

    Lovely! Would rather use natural materials, like wood vs. the white everywhere! Just needs a small woodstove and then I could hygge here!

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