New York City Rental Guide
The Flex Apartment Breakdown
From the desk of Jason Mezydlo · @JasonMezydlo
Jason Mezydlo · Managing Sales Partner, Gordon Realty Partners
347.286.5797 · jason@gordonrealtypartners.com · JasonMezydlo.com
622 3rd Avenue, New York, NY
What Is a Flex Apartment?
A lot of our clients come to us after scrolling through dozens of listings for “flex” apartments. Some aren’t sure what the word even means. Others have already decided it isn’t for them: too cramped, too complicated, or a little too good to be true. But with the right space and a designer’s eye, most of the clients we’ve helped flex have ended up loving the result.
So what is it? A flex apartment is a unit with enough room to add a bedroom by installing a temporary pressurized wall. A large studio becomes a “flex one,” and a large one-bedroom becomes a “flex two.” The wall is held in place by pressure rather than screws, looks and works like a regular wall, and comes down at the end of your lease without damaging the apartment. For first- and second-time New York renters, it’s one of the most practical ways to get more space for the money.
That’s also why it pays to work with a professional like Jason. Not every apartment advertised as “flex” can actually take a wall, and the difference between a smart layout and an awkward one often comes down to a few feet of wall placement. With a background in interior design and space planning, Jason looks at a floor plan and sees where a second bedroom will work, how to keep both rooms bright, and how to leave the living space functional. He also stays on top of the building policies and city requirements that come into play, so you negotiate the right deal on an apartment that can really be flexed, before you sign.
The rules matter, and they’re always changing. Every building sets its own policy on temporary walls, from whether they’re allowed at all to how they have to be built and who’s allowed to install them. On top of that, New York City has its own standards for what counts as a legal bedroom and for keeping an apartment safe. Those policies and standards are updated regularly, so what a building allowed last year may not be what it allows today. That’s exactly why it pays to talk with us before you sign: we’ll walk you through the current requirements for the specific building and apartment you have your eye on, and make sure everything is approved in writing before a single wall goes up.
Done right, flexing changes the math. Adding a bedroom lets two roommates split one lease instead of each paying for a separate studio, so each person’s share of the rent drops while the bedroom count goes up. That savings is often what puts a more central neighborhood within reach. Instead of a long commute from the edge of the city, a flex two-bedroom can put you in an area like the Financial District, with many subway lines, the PATH and the ferries a short walk away. Keep in mind the one-time cost of the wall and its removal when you budget, and make sure everyone on the lease agrees on who covers it.
Before and After: Flexing a Financial District One-Bedroom
One new pressurized wall turns this one-bedroom into a flex two-bedroom, with natural light in both bedrooms. The closets, kitchen, bath and existing bedroom opening stay exactly where they are. The trade-off: the living area gives up its window to the new bedroom.
Ready to Find Your Flex?
Not every “flex” listing can actually be flexed, and the difference usually shows up after you’ve signed. With a background in interior design and space planning, Jason can look at a floor plan and tell you whether a second bedroom will really work, which buildings currently allow walls, and what the finished layout will feel like day to day. If you’re renting in New York for the first or second time and want more space in a better location, reach out to Jason at 347.286.5797, jason@gordonrealtypartners.com, or JasonMezydlo.com to start your search. And for a look at the homes, neighborhoods and design details that inspire him, follow Jason on Instagram at @JasonMezydlo.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Building policies and city requirements change; confirm the rules for any specific apartment before installing a wall.
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About Jason Mezydlo
Jason Mezydlo is Managing Sales Partner at Gordon Realty Partners and has worked in New York City real estate since 2012. A graduate of the Harrington College of Design with a BFA in interior design, he brings a designer’s eye to every search, helping clients see what a space can become before they sign. Jason began his career in commercial leasing, guiding small business owners through site selection, lease negotiation and space planning, before moving into Manhattan’s luxury rental market and home sales across Manhattan and Brooklyn. A longtime Brooklyn resident, he pairs market expertise with a deep love for the city’s history, art and architecture.
347.286.5797 · jason@gordonrealtypartners.com · JasonMezydlo.com · @JasonMezydlo
Gordon Realty Partners · 622 3rd Avenue, New York, NY · NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson