Queens and Brooklyn lead the surge in small-scale multifamily development - by William Gati

At Architecture Studio, we are committed to designing structures that meet the evolving needs of our communities. Our work is driven by a progressive design vision that seamlessly integrates form and function while aligning with the latest housing initiatives to provide the most appropriate, efficient, and responsive housing solutions. Our firm is responding to the city’s housing affordability crisis by incorporating the City of Yes zoning and focusing more on small-scale multifamily development, a building type we believe is important for the city’s future.

Multifamily buildings with two to four units are gaining traction among developers and homeowners in Queens and Brooklyn. These projects provide a vital middle ground between single-family homes and high-rise towers. Current zoning regulations often make them more feasible, as they increase density without disrupting neighborhood scale and character.

While this movement’s design and zoning implications are critical, the human dimension is just as urgent. Today’s real estate realities directly impact many of our team members. They represent the very demographic these housing strategies aim to support, young professionals of diverse backgrounds who hope to own a home in New York City but find themselves priced out.

Kareena, one of our lead interns, sat down with Mishelle, a Bronx resident originally from the Dominican Republic and an intern at Architecture Studio, to discuss the challenges of homeownership:

Q: What challenges have you faced trying to buy property in NYC?

Mishelle: Saving for a down payment has been the biggest hurdle. Living at home helped, but it still took years. Once you start looking, it’s hard to find a place that fits your needs, and when you do, you’re up against so many competitive offers. Mentally, it’s tough too. You question whether it’s even worth it when you compare what you could afford elsewhere.

Q: How has your Dominican background shaped your view on owning a home?

Mishelle: Owning a home is a huge part of how we think about generational wealth. It’s not just a dream—it’s a responsibility to the future.

Q: What would you like to see more of in the Bronx?

Mishelle: We need more new construction — modern co-ops or condos that are actually accessible to buyers like me. Most of what’s available was built decades ago.

The second intern, Toraine, brings a different but equally insightful perspective. As a Jamaican-born and Long Island-raised man, he spoke about the intersection of culture, economics, and urban planning:

Q: How has your background shaped your views on homeownership?

Toraine: Growing up in a Jamaican household, homeownership was about more than shelter — it was about pride, legacy, and passing something down. That’s always motivated me. But now, with student loans and entry-level wages, it feels out of reach. The cost of housing and interest rates make it feel like I’m fighting a battle on two fronts.

Q: What kind of housing do you want to see more of on Long Island?

Toraine: More first-time homebuyer opportunities. More community-based developments—mixed-income housing with green space, walkability, and access to local businesses. That’s the kind of neighborhood I want to live in.

The experiences of Mishelle and Toraine reveal a tension between aspiration and access rooted in finances, cultural identity, and systemic limitations. For many New Yorkers of color, homeownership carries a heavy emotional and generational burden. In contrast, Toraine’s vision for Long Island combines heritage with forward-thinking ideals: walkable neighborhoods that support equity, while the Bronx’s aging housing stock undermines years of careful saving. We need to rethink how and where we build in light of their perspectives. In addition to being more affordable than luxury towers, multifamily housing offers a more sustainable option than sprawl. The goal is to honor both legacy and future, providing pathways for first-generation homeowners and building neighborhoods that they envision.

Multifamily development at a small scale is important for several reasons explained in these stories. It’s more than just a zoning trend — it’s a means of ensuring equity, affordability, and inclusion. At Architecture Studio, we’re committed to crafting solutions that meet both urban policy goals and New Yorkers’ real-life aspirations. We believe the future of housing lies in designs that are modest in scale but ambitious in impact. By embracing two-to-four-unit conversions, mixed-use flexibility, and community-rooted planning, we can begin to close the gap between what New Yorkers need and what they can realistically attain.

As affordability continues to challenge working and middle-class New Yorkers, the need for smart, community-centered development has never been more urgent. Through thoughtful design, inclusive practice, and a proactive embrace of zoning reforms like City of Yes, small-scale multifamily housing can be a key to unlocking equity, livability, and generational wealth, not just in Queens and Brooklyn, but across the entire city. At Architecture Studio, we’re proud to help lead this charge — one home, one family, and one neighborhood at a time.

William Gati is principal of Architecture Studio, Kew Gardens, N.Y.