Hub gets micro-housing

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The SmartSpace complex in San Francisco’s fast-growing South of Market District consists of 18 affordable 295-square-foot micro-apartments. Each unit has 9-foot ceilings and a large bank of windows that fills the room with natural light. Space is tight, but every square foot is packed with modern conveniences.



The Smartspace complex in San Francisco’s fast-growing South of Market District consists of 18 affordable 295-square-foot micro-apartments. Each unit has nine-foot ceilings and a large bank of windows that fills the room with natural light. Space is tight, but every square foot is packed with modern conveniences.


The SmartSpace complex in San Francisco’s fast-growing South of Market District consists of 18 affordable 295-square-foot micro-apartments. Each unit has 9-foot ceilings and a large bank of windows that fills the room with natural light. Space is tight, but every square foot is packed with modern conveniences.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
The SmartSpace apartment is no wider than most hallways -- a thin rectangle of space where clutter can quickly cause chaos.

The SmartSpace apartment is no wider than most hallways—a thin rectangle of space where clutter can quickly cause chaos.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
There is a full-sized sofa and refrigerator; a combination washer-dryer is hidden in a cabinet; and while there isn’t a regular stove, the microwave (also hidden in a cabinet) has a convection feature for roasting a duck or baking a pie.

There is a full-sized sofa and refrigerator; a combination washer-dryer is hidden in a cabinet; and while there isn’t a regular stove, the microwave (also hidden in a cabinet) has a convection feature for roasting a duck or baking a pie.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
“We wanted to use beautiful finishes and high design, and make the units as small as possible without sacrificing too many of the things that people demand of an apartment,” said the project’s developer, Patrick Kennedy, 59, who founded a company called SmartSpace to create the ideal micro apartment.

“We wanted to use beautiful finishes and high design, and make the units as small as possible without sacrificing too many of the things that people demand of an apartment,” said the project’s developer, Patrick Kennedy, 59, who founded a company called SmartSpace to create the ideal micro apartment.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
A view of the apartment’s kitchen area.

A view of the apartment’s kitchen area.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
“The size of the place is actually perfect,” said Terencia Tervalon, 32, an insurance executive who pays $1,600 a month for one of the 23 tiny apartments at 38 Harriet St. “I had five friends over the other night and we were all able to fit and have cocktails.”

“The size of the place is actually perfect,” said Terencia Tervalon, 32, an insurance executive who pays $1,600 a month for one of the 23 tiny apartments at 38 Harriet St. “I had five friends over the other night and we were all able to fit and have cocktails.”


Jan Sturmann


AAA
At night, multiple chairs must be moved to make way for the fold-down Murphy bed; And since the bed rests on the dining table, failing to clear the dishes means they will certainly be smashed.

At night, multiple chairs must be moved to make way for the fold-down Murphy bed; And since the bed rests on the dining table, failing to clear the dishes means they will certainly be smashed.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
A dining area transforms into a bedroom.

A dining area transforms into a bedroom.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
The California College of the Arts has agreed to lease all the units for its students, and Kennedy is now planning his second micro project: An 11-story building with 160 apartments, a communal roof deck and a ground-floor cafe.

The California College of the Arts has agreed to lease all the units for its students, and Kennedy is now planning his second micro project: An 11-story building with 160 apartments, a communal roof deck and a ground-floor cafe.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
Out back is a large patio framed by 10-foot bamboo plants. San Francisco mayor Edwin M. Lee said the city is experiencing a growth spurt that could increase its population another 150,000 over the next several decades. To prepare, he said, the city must explore different kinds of housing, and also build denser complexes around transit stops to get residents out of their cars.

Out back is a large patio framed by 10-foot bamboo plants.


San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee said the city is experiencing a growth spurt that could increase its population another 150,000 over the next several decades. To prepare, he said, the city must explore different kinds of housing, and also build denser complexes around transit stops to get residents out of their cars.


Jan Sturmann


AAA
On Monday, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced a plan to build 30,000 housing units in the city by 2020, saying the city must accelerate its housing production to meet the needs of young workers, middle-class families and seniors. Factory 63 in South Boston’s Fort Point area has micro-units starting at $1,699 a month.

In March, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced a plan to build 30,000 housing units in the city by 2020, saying the city must accelerate its housing production to meet the needs of young workers, middle-class families and seniors.


Factory 63 in South Boston’s Fort Point area has micro-units starting at $1,699 a month.


John Tlumacki/Globe Staff


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Sam Yarborough and Jessica Ryan, property manager for Greystar, viewed the living room/bedroom area of a 374 square foot apartment at Factory 63. The kitchen is to the right and bathroom door can be seen in the rear.

Sam Yarborough and Jessica Ryan, property manager for Greystar, viewed the living room/bedroom area of a 374-square-foot apartment at Factory 63.


John Tlumacki/Globe Staff


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This first floor common area at Factory 63 is open to the public and residents with free wi-fi.

This first floor common area at Factory 63 is open to the public and residents with free Wi-Fi.


John Tlumacki/Globe Staff


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Fort Point resident Christine Vaillancourt toured a model 300 square foot micro apartment exhibit at the Boston Society of Architects. The BSA and What’s In?, a collaborative research initiative including members of ADD Inc., Map-Lab, Artaic, and Onein3, unveiled this unit in February.

Fort Point resident Christine Vaillancourt toured a model 300-square-foot micro apartment exhibit at the Boston Society of Architects.


The BSA and What’s In?, a collaborative research initiative including members of ADD Inc., Map-Lab, Artaic, and Onein3, unveiled this unit in February.


Josh Reynolds for the Boston Globe


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A view of the model apartment’s sleeping, living, and kitchen areas.

A view of the model apartment’s sleeping, living, and kitchen areas.


Josh Reynolds for the Boston Globe


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The model unit includes built-in storage areas.

The model unit includes customizable built-in storage areas.


Josh Reynolds for the Boston Globe


AAA
Richard Taylor, director of Suffolk University’s Center for Real Estate, said Boston risks losing talented young people -- and the next Facebook or other breakthrough business -- if it fails to build more workforce housing.

Richard Taylor, director of Suffolk University’s Center for Real Estate, said Boston risks losing talented young people—and the next Facebook or other breakthrough business—if it fails to build more workforce housing.


Josh Reynolds for the Boston Globe


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