Architect Luke Clark Tyler lives and works in a 78 square foot micro apartment in Midtown Manhattan, potentially America’s smallest apartment. The space features a custom-built couch that converts to a bed, maximizing the multi-functional use of every square inch in this extreme example of urban micro living.
Micro Apartment Specifications
- Location: Midtown Manhattan, New York City
- Size: 78 square feet
- Occupant: Luke Clark Tyler, architect
- Use: Combined living and work space
- Key Feature: Custom convertible couch/bed
Manhattan Micro Apartment Interior
Photo Credit: SpacesTV/YouTube
Video Tour
Lessons from Extreme Micro Living
- Architects Understand Space: Design professionals often embrace small living to test their own solutions
- Convertible Furniture Is Essential: In extreme micro spaces, every piece must serve multiple functions
- Location Enables Lifestyle: Manhattan’s walkability and amenities support car-free micro living
- Work-Live Combinations Work: Single-room spaces can accommodate both professional and personal life
- Custom Solutions Beat Standard: DIY furniture designed for specific dimensions maximizes efficiency
Related Tiny Apartments
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Alex
Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.
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How high is the ceiling? Perhaps one could ‘elevate’ the bed to create space under it for a ‘dining area’ or a ‘lounge’ of sorts?
It would make living in a tiny house look like a mansion. 🙂
I think what he said is exactly right. “We adapt to what we have.” It’s really all about attitude. If you are in Manhattan, you know you’re going to live small… his place is just extra small and he had the attitude that the savings was well worth it so he adapted and made it work. Great story!
There is no way I would live in such a space. A shared bathroom, are you kidding me? If you can’t afford to live in anything better, then there is something wrong with your employment. Maybe this guy needs a real job instead of being “freelance.” If he is freelance he could live anywhere. Why would you choose to live in the most expensive city in the US? I just have never seen the attraction people have to that city. I never appreciated Chicago until I had to go to NYC for biz trips. In my opinion the city is the worst.
You sound fun. Not judgmental or conceited at all.
Wow! Your post was nearly six years ago and I hope that you’ve kinda mellowed since then. This site is about tiny house living, therefore, I’m not getting where all of the snark was coming from.
Smaller than my dorm in college & barracks room in the Army!!!!
Pretty small, but a great job making the space functional. I don’t mind sharing a shower, but being a little older, I need a toilet/sink somewhere in my personal space. Otherwise, I believe I could adapt, if needed.
How much is the rent? No way could I live in something this small. He fixed it pretty cool though. Bathroom is real nice. Did he say a shared bathroom? It is tiny for sure.
This is over 8 years old but at the time it was around $800, would be more now, and that’s only his part of the rent… It’s pretty common in NYC to sublet/share living arrangements to split the rent…
James D.
That isn’t a bad price. I didn’t hear him mentioning the price. Fighter Jets were going nuts yesterday and it is very noisy. I love the sound of them. Bathroom is shared which is understandable. Some friends live in NY. They pay a lot of rent. Albany is beautiful. Was there to visit many years ago. Some places there the rent is or was reasonable.