Since November, Stage 3 Properties—which designs, markets, and manages rental properties in partnership with developers and investors—has been leasing Ollie at Carmel Place, a 55-unit building that is New York City’s first micro-unit multifamily development, with apartments ranging from 260 to 360 sf.
Stage 3’s “Ollie” platform offers renters the option of fully-furnished studios and shared suites, as well as access to amenities in nearby facilities that include work spaces, juice bars, pools, gyms, spas, and lounges. Ollie will even help renters find suitable roommates through its Bedvetter service.
The “all-inclusive” experience that Ollie is marketing also includes hotel-like services such as housekeeping. This week, Stage 3 announced the signing of a multiyear agreement with Hello Alfred, a personal butler and on-demand concierge service that, starting next month, renters at Carmel Place can sign up for and access through a mobile app.
Hello Alfred is a weekly subscription service that sends a background-vetted “Home Manager” to a renter’s home to take care of basic house cleaning (bed making, kitchen cleanup, etc.), laundry, dry cleaning, clothing and shoe repair, package shipping, and grocery shopping. The service starts at $32 per week.
Ollie is now Hello Alfred’s sole micro-unit partner, and charges for the services provided are already included in the quoted rents for residents.
Alfred’s CEO, Marcela Sapone, told BloombergBusiness that customers at other apartment buildings have used the service for everything from organizing receipts and meeting a cable repair person to refilling a Koi pond. If the helper isn’t able to tackle a particular job—such as plumbing or professional cleaning—he or she will find someone who can for the renter.
Monadnock Development assembled Ollie Carmel Place with factory-built modules for the micro apartments. The building in New York will be ready for renters to move into in the first quarter of 2016. Photo courtesy Monadnock Development.
Rents at Carmel Place run up to $3,150 per month, but 22 apartments are more affordably leased. “Carmel Place is a perfect fit for Ollie,” Chris Bledsoe, Stage 3’s Founding Partner, told Curbed NYC. “With 40% of the units allocated to low- and middle-income New Yorkers, the message of ‘inclusiveness’ is already an integral part of the community and the experience at the building. Additionally, the small unit sizes at Carmel Place afforded us an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that efficient units don’t inherently require a reduction in quality of life.”
Ollie at Carmel Place—which was once going to be called My Micro NY—was designed by nARCHITECTS and developed by Monadnock Development, which assembled the building from modular components. The development cost was $16.7 million.
Stage 3’s next market could be Los Angeles, according to its website. Hello Alfred currently has locations in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and L.A.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Mar 18, 2015
Prefabricated skycubes proposed with 'elastic' living apartments inside
The interiors for each unit are designed using an elastic living concept, where different spaces are created by sliding on tracks.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 16, 2015
New Jersey Supreme Court puts control of affordable housing agency in the courts
The court said the state’s affordable housing agency had failed to do its job, and effectively transferred the agency's regulatory authority to lower courts.
High-rise Construction | Mar 16, 2015
Mexican Museum tower caught in turmoil to break ground this summer in San Francisco
Millennium Partners said it will break ground on the 53-story residential and museum tower while the lawsuits go through the appeals process.
Mixed-Use | Mar 13, 2015
Dubai announces mega waterfront development Aladdin City
Planned on 4,000 acres in the Dubai Creek area, the towers will be covered in gold lattice and connected via air-conditioned bridges.
High-rise Construction | Mar 12, 2015
Developers confirm Renzo Piano’s contribution in Sydney harbor overhaul
If the entire development is approved, One Sydney Harbour will be Piano’s second project in Australia.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 12, 2015
Multifamily construction has been a boon to L.A.’s economy
A new study finds that nearly one-quarter of Los Angeles’ population lived in rental homes and apartments in 2013, a number that undoubtedly has increased since.
Modular Building | Mar 10, 2015
Must see: 57-story modular skyscraper was completed in 19 days
After erecting the mega prefab tower in Changsha, China, modular builder BSB stated, “three floors in a day is China’s new normal.”
Multifamily Housing | Mar 10, 2015
Developers bullish about multifamily market for third consecutive quarter
After increasing steadily over the past several years, multifamily production has now reached a healthy, sustainable level, according to NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 10, 2015
A loft project in Dallas evolves into a high rise for both affluent and artistic customers
Atelier | Flora Lofts will be built on one of this city’s last choice undeveloped lots.
Multifamily Housing | Mar 10, 2015
KTGY homes in on seniors with new studio
Its director, Doug Ahlstrom, says designs will emphasize socialization and community.