For many, the shoebox fits

Even as criticism of “shoebox” condominiums continues unabated in Singapore and the number of such homes on the market here may have started to drop, the trend is heading in exactly the opposite direction in major cities in other parts of the world. Indeed, city governments in some places are promoting smaller units and there are long queues of buyers.

In New York City, for example, city planners challenged architects to design comfortable condos ranging from 250 to 370 square feet.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg even ran a contest for small dwellings, and in announcing the winner in January, he said: “New York’s ability to adapt with changing times is what made us the world’s greatest city. The growth rate for one- and two-person households greatly exceeds that of households with three or more people, and addressing that housing challenge requires us to think creatively.”

If the pilot programme is successful, the city may soon overturn a 1987 law that set a minimum dwelling size of 400 sq ft.

Small units are growing in popularity in other cities as well. In London, more buyers are opting for compact “bolt-holes” in the city, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

In Vancouver, developers are rolling out “micro-condos” that balance the lack of square footage with efficient design and a richer experience, according to the National Post.

Meanwhile, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors recently approved a trial of 220 sq ft “micro-apartments”.

And while too-small flats may often be criticised in Hong Kong, Savills said in its “Shoebox Units” report late last year that an increasing number of young professionals were seeking homes near their workplaces and buying tiny units that sales pitches called “boutique luxury residences”.

In its research, where it found a rising trend towards smaller apartments in major cities in Asia and other regions, Savills said that a multitude of reasons caused the shift towards smaller spaces.

A steadily improving 24/7 social infrastructure ranging from lifestyle coffee shops to food delivery means that people do less at home.

People also need less space, since more are choosing to live alone, and more couples are getting married later and choosing to remain childless. And dramatically rising prices in large cities means lower-cost smaller apartments are more appealing.

These smaller condos have become far more attractive to live in, too. The word “shoebox” can conjure up images of cramped space and tight turns. In reality, however, creative designers have transformed how space is used and made them into enjoyable homes.

Mr Jimmy Stamp, who blogs about design and everyday life in Smithsonian magazine, described one example: “The limited space is utilised efficiently and creatively, every piece of furniture seems to transform to serve multiple functions ... the unit felt larger than my own tiny one-bedroom apartment.”

Creatively designed units often mean many singles and couples will readily give up some space in return for an efficient yet comfortable condo in a convenient location.

WARY IN SINGAPORE

The worldwide trends towards more people wanting to live in smaller condos haven’t stopped policymakers here from taking action.

In November last year, the Ministry of National Development set a minimum average size for apartments in developments outside the central area in a move designed to reduce the number of shoebox units. Wary developers have since cut back on the number of such homes.

The trends also do not mean that everyone here, even many singles, would consider living in a smaller condo.

Many people prefer something larger and many decry the trends towards smaller apartments — so developers are continuing to build larger flats.

Still, there are some who are happy with a small condo under 500 sq ft. The trends behind the shift to smaller condos in other leading cities, such as a growing number of singles and later marriage as well as higher prices and creative designs, are happening here too.

As Mr Ryan Ong blogged on Moneysmart, “crowded MRT trains and overloaded buses are finally taking effect”. Living in a shoebox condo close to the office beats commuting more than an hour to work and having a little more space.

Others want easy access to the amenities of a condo. While the space inside one’s home may be small, being able to use a pool, gym, tennis court, common rooms or other facilities makes a small condo appealing.

And with plans to develop decentralised hubs all around the island, buyers may want to get units outside the central area rather than just in the CBD so that they can get in on the action in outlying areas early.

Knowing that the North Coast Innovation Centre or the Jurong Lake District will be coming up soon, for example, some people may want to buy a small condo with full facilities now in anticipation of development in these locations in the future.

Since smaller condos work well for many people, perhaps it’s time to figure out how to make the concept work well rather than rejecting such homes. Steps like recognising outstanding designs and planning for transport needs based on new realities could help many people.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard Hartung is a consultant who has lived in Singapore since 1992.