New York apartments are hardly celebrated for their spaciousness; luckily, savvy residents have discovered that with intelligent design, a closet-sized studio can serve as a stylish and functional home. Developers Oleg Pavlov and Seth Schumer of London-based Quadrum Global have applied the same small-living logic to the hotel industry with their debut Manhattan property, Arlo SoHo. The 325 guestrooms are all under 165 square feet, but undeniably well-appointed with clean-lined wooden built-ins and crisp, white tiled baths. A few thoughtful innovations maximize the space. Mini fridges hide inside bedside tables; the desk pulls down from the wall; under-bed compartments hold luggage. While guestrooms may be tight, the Arlo SoHo also hosts extensive public spaces, including a rooftop bar, and both indoor and outdoor lounges. These front-facing venues serve the same purpose as New York’s coffee shops and bars—substitutes for the city dweller’s nonexistent living room.
