NEW YORK: As buyers brace for an onslaught of tiny new apartments, some developers are offering creative alternatives for those seeking more space, including combining one and two-bedroom units prior to construction.
It is a trend driven mainly by empty nesters looking to downsize in upmarket developments.
Customized apartments were once the preserve of wealthy penthouse purchasers. However, more buyers can now pick and choose their apartment layout.
Combining apartments is more than just eliminating the separating wall. Buyers are able to personalize the spaces so that they don’t finish up with two sets of everything.
Cardiologist Peter Williams was able to combine two two-bedroom apartments on the ground floor and have the floor plan reconfigured to suit his needs.
He has opted for a separate kitchen and dining room instead of the original open-plan setting, and has a larger outside terrace with enough room for a dog to run around.
“The living area was really quite small… it didn’t appeal to me,” said Mr Williams. “Combining it seemed like a practical thing to do,”…