98 Unit Condominium None Larger Than 350 sq. Feet

I have always walked through IKEA and marvelled at their model mini living spaces. Your whole life can be had in a compact space! It’s a marvel of both modern life and IKEA!

So I have always toyed with the idea of a whole complex built around micro condominiums – that is the developer has purpose built the units to work for a small space, not just sectioned off square footage into smaller and smaller units.

In doing some research I stumbled over the Cubix Yerba Buena in San Francisco (3.5 min video / pictures). With no unit large that 350 sq feet, the 98 units fill a very interesting role. Small living spaces called lofts (really meaning on combined living space with a separated toilet area) are the heart of this building. To help with the claustrophobic feeling one could get, there’s a giant roof top garden.

Talking with neighbours in my own condominium, we often talk about the opportunities to move – but realize that many owners spend little non-sleep time in our homes. With the exception of being unconscious, most of the rest of the time in the condominium is getting ready to leave or getting ready to sleep – with the rest of our lives being at work, hanging publicly with friends, or just “being out”. If one really spends so little conscious time in your condo, why would one need a lot of space?

Current rates go for 250k for 282 sq feet, and several units available to low income for about 99k.

Downtown Grocery Needs Targeted By 7-Eleven

When it comes to downtown grocery: retail space can be very expensive, grocery only runs a 1-2% profit margin, and delivery of goods to the store can be a cumbersome process. It’s no wonder in a recent interview Ken Barnes, regional development director for 7-Eleven indicated Toronto’s booming condominium market is pushing the need for more convenience stores.

With the lack of full feature supermarkets (even micro grocery stores – those under 5000 s.f.) there is definitely room for a full on assault by the quick-stop developer.

The problem will be that convenience stores have half the number of “heart-healthy” foods as neighborhood grocery stores, and only one quarter of a supermarket.

This lack of access to healthy food for heavily urbanized (and Calgary has a core with not even a single micro grocery store open late) citizens has been blamed for rise in obesity and general health issues for urban dwellers.

It can be hoped that there’s some nice individually packaged bananas at least in these shops.