This comparison shows the price of putting an internal garage on a rowhouse Both of these rowhomes are ~16' wide Left: 2BR+Den/3BA Right: 4BR/3.5BA So the cost is losing TWO bedroom.

This is a unit from a project I built … and (God willing) we will be able to build thousands more Apartments can be for families, too!

This 3BR/2BA apartment is less than 1170sf, and yet is *great* for a young family The size means that it's could actually make sense for a developer to build and still get close to market rate rents, and yet it's still large enough for parents and 2 or even 3 small kids.

This is becoming one of my favorite base level “family” floorplan designs 1300sf, 3BR/2BA In particular, I really like the small area (by door). It’s rare for apartments this size to have a place for a dining table AND a kitchen island.

A gorgeous rowhome in Washington DC

A floorplan with CRAZZZYYYY door layout

If we made apartments truly soundproof ... urban housing would feel a LOT more family-friendly

There is no more important issue facing our country than building starter homes for young families … and it’s what I’m working on

Building one-bedroom apartments … but not three-bedroom units is a *literal* chicken and egg problem Falling fertility is both a cause and effect

America’s cities are becoming empires of one-bedrooms This chart shows how apartment developers have changed the unit types built in Austin over past 25 years From 2000-2005, >50% units built were 2BRs From 2021-2025, <25% were 2BRs

We need to bring back Starter Homes ... whether that's a rowhouse, apartment, duplex or single family The defining feature is they are smaller *so that* they are also more affordable for new families. It needs to be large enough so that it accommodates a families current needs and NEXT life stage

Marketing photos for new homes used to be so much better. Rather than a glamor shot of a huge empty kitchen with a massive island … just showing people *living* in the house The product fades away. Gorgeous.

Urban rowhomes with a private courtyard

In terms of “housing for families,” I’ve been thinking a lot about the buy vs rent dilemma, and how at its core, it’s a question of stability. 1/11

Found it … the newest, most unusual over the top apartment amenity: A GT3 Simulator In Orlando

The next wave of "value-add" multifamily will be making non-structural changes to newer construction units Here's an 820sf 1BR from a 2022 building At 12' wide, the bedroom is wide enough to build a closet or wardrobe, and convert the "walk-in" closet to an office or other use

The 16-18 foot wide, 2-3 story attached rowhouse is the building form we should be building a lot more of in the US It works for the ultra wealthy (L, Brooklyn Heights) or the working class (R, Philadelphia)

130 William has such a cool facade texture

The only way new housing can cost LESS than existing housing, is if the new units are smaller. Like Studios or ADUs It’s as if someone takes an everything bagel … and then sells you a half slice (with cream cheese) for 90% of the original bagel price It’s BETTER. But it’s also less

Parking requirements per bedroom are a de-facto tax on “Apartments for Families”

"What's the best 1BR floorplan to maximize Rent/SF?" For a 1 Bedroom (with a window) here it is: 4 Keys to this 415sf unit: 1) ~20' foot depth 2) BR width under 9 feet 3) No walk-in closet 4) No en-suite bath access

Had a great tour of Kansas City

Any recommendations for an architect who has done projects in Brookline, MA? Looking to help a friend who just bought a house and wants to do a pretty extensive renovation.

Visited Oklahoma City a few weeks ago and toured some beautiful alley loaded townhouses The second floor covered porch is great

Here's a crazy flying vs train fact: It is *faster* to fly from Dallas to Boston ... than it is to take the train from New York to Boston

A walkable neighborhood *requires* a walkable school ... unless it's a neighborhood that will never have children

This example shows WHY it’s hard to build 3BR apartments: Because 1BRs get more Rent Which option is better from an INVESTOR’S standpoint? -1300sf 3BR+Den/2BA -TWO, 650sf 1BR/1BA Construction costs are similar, but in urban areas the combined 1BRs ~always rent for more

Happy Fathers Day to me …

Finally a “resort style pool” at an apartment complex that actually fits the description

Being a dad means taking a brutal midnight redeye flight … to be back home when my kids wake up on Father’s Day.

One of the best things about Philadelphia: It has a very affordable downtown, with small units in older buildings 275sf Studio for $1065/month ... in a high-rise 3 blocks from City Hall

More apartments should be "Move-In Ready" Look at this unit. With this exact furniture layout it's a *perfect* floorplan At minimum, Tenants should be able to purchase scaled furniture inside a floorplan. Maybe a few options. But the apartment should be able to come this way

Q: Why do developers keep building so many Studios & 1BRs instead of family-sized units? A: Short-term financial incentives + underwriting logic reward small units … but it hurts cities long-term.

This is the City that I want to see built: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”

Here's an example of a new construction suburban family apartment that works as a "starter home" 3BR/2BA, 1350sf for $4200/month ... in one of the best suburban school districts outside Philadelphia

The SUV pickup line exists because we don’t put enough housing for young families near schools We can change that … either by building new (smaller) schools where families live OR by adding housing designed for families near existing schools

The City of "abundance" is one where there are more babies than dogs

So many unusual things in this 725sf "Jr 1BR" in North Carolina • Open Closet across from 4 foot shower? • Only 1 sink ... in 2-door bathroom? • Kitchen island & Balcony door location make seating very tough • What is space across from Bedroom for? Dining, Office?

How to make an apartment building more "family friendly" ... add kids to the amenities lifestyle photos

Without schools, a “15 minute City” is not a “City” … it’s just Disneyworld

If schools aren’t close to homes where families live … then the PRIMARY benefit of density (walkability) goes away for families

Similar to Transit Oriented Development (upzone near trains since fewer residents need cars), I’d like to see School Oriented Development Adding smaller units designed FOR families with kids in elementary school. Put a few 16’ wide rowhomes on even a small lot 1440SF, 4BR/2BA

Fake balconies are the *worst* architectural flourish

Any apartment building can fit a 3BR/2BA into the corners of the building at close to ~1000SF

The key to a good rowhouse is the ground floor Here's the current iteration of the design I'm working on now. Total unit will be ~1600sf 4BR/2.5BA

The most insane apartment amenity I've ever seen: An *indoor* giant chess set room!

1.2MM per unit of affordable housing in DC The units 🔽🔽 ... www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

I want to build the modern rowhouse. Across the country. Designed for young families.

Building 1BR+Den apartments is a *simple* shift that makes City marginally better for "families" Instead of an oversized walk-in closet ... you get a space for a remote worker to have an occasional office OR a young couple to put an infant The Baby Maybe