Apartment rentals New York with Far West Side

Manhattan Denser Than Hong Kong by 2030

Population density in ManhattanInsatiable. That’s one word to describe it. While renting an apartment in Manhattan is not everybody's cup of tea, demand continues to be high while inventory continues to be low. According to the U.S. Census, the population in Manhattan currently hovers at around 1.6 million residents. However, this number neglects to factor in the other 2.4 million commuters, day-trippers, hospital patients, tourists and students who may pass through Manahttan at any given point during the work day, reported the Rudin Center for Transportation and Management at New York University. And on major holidays and special events such as the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade, that number easily surpasses 5 million. At the current rate, the population density in Manhattan could rival that of Hong Kong’s by as early as 2030.

The Island of Manhattan Still Has Room to Grow

Manhattan may be an island, but apartment inventory is unlimitedIt’s an old story at this point, but if you’ve been following the Manhattan rental apartment market at all, you know the drill: vacancy is down, rents are up, new construction is scarce, and concessions are rare. Among the many explanations as to how we got here - and there are plenty - one of the most prominent is that Manhattan is a small island where space is limited, hence the lack of inventory. The reality is that this real estate platitude is a lazy way of analyzing our current market, one which obscures far more accurate explanations. For instance, the tight credit market for large new construction projects, government restrictions such as historic districts, and long-standing preconceived notions about certain Manhattan neighborhoods have a far greater influence on Manhattan’s rental apartment inventory than the size of the island.

More Rentals Rising West of Midtown West

Far West Side ManhattanThe words Manhattan and real estate development have long been synonymous, so it should come as no surprise when The Real Deal recently announced that the Gotham Organization would be taking on one of the largest new construction projects in Manhattan yet. The Gotham Organization project is expected to cost over $520 million and consists of four separate buildings spanning an entire Manhattan city block at 550 West 45th Street between 10th and 11th Avenue. Out of the 1,238 expected units for rent, close to 600 of them will be constructed with low-, moderate- and middle-income New Yorkers in mind.