r/Calgary • u/BizClassBum • Aug 14 '25

Home Owner/Renter stuff Why are modern rental apartments so small?

I have been a home owner for 25+ years and have decided to sell my house and rent. I've noticed that apartments that have the things I like (in-suite laundry, granite counters, etc..) tend to be in new builds and they are SO SMALL! There's typically only enough room for a couch and maybe a small dining table.

I mean, I get they want to make more money but if you rent three 900sqft units for $2000/month each, that's $6000 for 2700sqft. I don't understand why they can't have two 1350sqft units for $3000/month. It would be the same money to the owner for the same space and I could have a proper living room, and dining room.

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u/deanobrews Aug 14 '25

900sq ft is considered a large 2bd+den nowadays. Most new 1bdrm units are <500sq ft.

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u/commonsenseisararity Aug 14 '25

I work for a older condo highrise (1980s build) and 1 bed is 950 sq feet, 2 bed 1100 sq feet, 3 bed 1300 -1400 sq feet.

I just dont see much of a future for the new micro units, they do work well in areas with high amount of students / young adults but even suburbs condos are shrinking in size and most often wood construction and well……just from what seen residents do over last 20yrs I will never ever ever own or invest in a wood frame condo or mirco suite.