The average size of new apartments dropped sharply in 2022, as tracked by RentCafe.
Across the U.S., the average new apartment size was 887 sf, down 30 sf from 2021, which was the largest year-over-year decrease, according to the apartment search service. It was also 54 sf less than the average size of a new apartment 10 years ago.
The drop in size can be attributed to more studios and one-bedroom apartments entering the market in 2022, reaching a historic share of 57%. Tallahassee, Fla., led the nation with the largest apartments, while Seattle’s apartment portfolio had the smallest-sized units.
Tracking the size of U.S. apartments, in six charts
“The post-pandemic apartment market has seen significant fluctuations from one year to another, including oscillations in the size of new apartments,” according to RentCafe. “From the need for more space in 2020 to the need for more homes in 2022, the rising demand for rentals is affecting the size of newly built apartments.”
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2022
Ambitious state EV adoption goals put pressure on multifamily owners to provide chargers
California’s recently announced ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles starting in 2035—and New York’s recent decision to follow suit—are putting pressure on multifamily property owners to install charging stations for tenants.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 7, 2022
Design for new Ft. Lauderdale mixed-use tower features sequence of stepped rounded volumes
The newly revealed design for 633 SE 3rd Ave., a 47-story, mixed-use tower in Ft. Lauderdale, features a sequence of stepped rounded volumes that ease the massing of the tower as it rises.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 5, 2022
Co-living spaces, wellness-minded designs among innovations in multifamily housing
The booming multifamily sector shows no signs of a significant slowdown heading into 2023. Here is a round up of Giants 400 firms that are driving innovation in this sector.
Fire and Life Safety | Oct 4, 2022
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
| Oct 4, 2022
Rental property owners want access to utility usage data for whole properties
As pressure from investors for ESG reporting mounts, owners of multifamily properties increasingly look to collect whole-building utility usage data.
Resiliency | Sep 30, 2022
Designing buildings for wildfire defensibility
Wold Architects and Engineers' Senior Planner Ryan Downs, AIA, talks about how to make structures and communities more fire-resistant.
Sponsored | Multifamily Housing | Sep 16, 2022
In-Stock Sheathing System Saves Multifamily Project Timeline
Multifamily Housing | Sep 15, 2022
Toronto’s B-Line Condominiums completed using prefabricated panels
B-Line Condos, Toronto, completed using Sto Panel Technology.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 15, 2022
Heat Pumps in Multifamily Projects
RMI's Lacey Tan gives the basics of heat pumps and how they can reduce energy costs and carbon emissions in apartment projects.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 14, 2022
27 new kitchen and bath products multifamily developers and AEC teams are using for the first time
Multifamily developers and AEC project teams are adopting new kitchen + bath products and systems for the first time, according to the MULTIFAMILY Design+Construction Kitchen+Bath Survey 2022.
