Micro Housing Gains Ground in Florida and Beyond

MIAMI — Tiny apartments with a view, anyone? Recent trends have shown people are adopting a "less is more" mindset with just about everything – living spaces included.

Now called "small-space living," the phenomenon has taken the nation by storm. Especially navigating recent economic trends and high cost of housing, renters of all ages are drawn to lower price points and amenity-rich, transit-oriented communities.

This trend is a stark shift from the early 2000s, when many individuals preferred single-family homes in the suburbs. As the rental market has shot up in recent years, micro-units, units and studio apartments in the 300- to 400-square feet range are becoming more popular.

Cities out west have been leading the pattern, especially San Francisco. Almost 15% of all housing units in the city are undersized, with some apartments measuring less than 130 square feet. And they're not expected to stop – almost 30% of its new rentals are set to be micro-units.

"Affordability and density are the two primary drivers – and they go hand in hand," Patrick Kennedy, owner of Panoramic Interests, a development firm in the Bay Area, told Storage Cafe.

As per usual, Miami breaks the region mold, being the only southern city to rank in the top 20 for micro-housing density.

Rates are exponentially high in the city – along with demand for more units. Gen Z renters are driving the demand for micro-units in particular, prioritizing lifestyle over space.

Developers are taking notice, as micro-units make up 18% of multifamily construction in Miami. Some of the smallest units in the city are 180 square feet.

Late last year, the lifestyle brand Diesel introduced the Diesel Wynwood Condominium, a 159-unit luxury development by Miami urban architect Bernard Zyscovich, who said the project, would "become something that doesn't exist anywhere else in the city." The development includes over 50 "small" units starting at 395 square feet.

"Micro-housing is one of the most efficient tools we have to create more housing quickly and affordably, especially in urban areas where land is scarce, and demand is high," David Neiman, Partner at Neiman Taber Architects, told StorageCafe.

Micro-apartments cost 36% less than traditional rentals, making them the perfect option for those who don't mind "shoebox apartments" if it means they can live in the city of the future.

Most Miami micro-units are clustered in neighborhoods like Little Havana (33125), Sweetwater (33174) and South Miami Heights (33157). Some of the most popular neighborhoods for new renters, they all have good transit access and have been some of the most active areas in urban redevelopment.

For Miami's bustling housing market, micro-units are one of the only solutions to limited space and intense demand. It's safe to say that "shoebox apartments" are here to stay.

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