History of Apartment in Timeline

An apartment is a self-contained housing unit within a larger building, typically occupying a single story. These buildings go by various names, and apartment tenure can range from public housing and owner-occupied condominiums or leaseholds to privately rented units.

1901: New York State Tenement House Act

In 1901, as a result of campaigners like Upton Sinclair and Jacob Riis, the New York State Tenement House Act was passed to improve the conditions of tenement dwellings.

1906: Construction of Melbourne Mansions

In 1906, Melbourne Mansions on Collins Street, Melbourne, was built for mostly wealthy residents and is believed by many to be the earliest apartment building in the country.

1910: Construction of Fawkner Mansions

In 1910, the Fawkner Mansions were constructed in the St Kilda area of Melbourne.

1912: Construction of Majestic Mansions

In 1912, Majestic Mansions was constructed as a boarding house in the St Kilda area of Melbourne.

1914: Construction of The Canterbury Flats

In 1914, The Canterbury Flats were constructed in the St Kilda area of Melbourne.

1919: Tenements in Scotland

Before 1919, tenements in Scotland, defined as blocks of flats sharing a common central staircase without an elevator, were inhabited by a diverse range of social classes and income groups.

1949: Housing Act of 1949

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed the Housing Act of 1949 to clean slums and reconstruct housing units for the poor.

1951: 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments Design

In 1951, the 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments, a groundbreaking architectural design, was developed in Chicago.

1964: Marina City Design

In 1964, Marina City, a groundbreaking architectural design, was developed in Chicago.

1968: Lake Point Tower Design

In 1968, Lake Point Tower, a groundbreaking architectural design, was developed in Chicago.

1970: Strathclyde University Tenement Study

In 1970, a team from Strathclyde University demonstrated that the old tenements had been basically sound, and could be given new life with replumbing providing modern kitchens and bathrooms.

1973: Corporation Action at Old Swan Corner

In 1973, the Corporation acted on the tenement study principle for the first time at the Old Swan Corner, Pollokshaws.

March 2003: Glasgow Housing Association Ownership

On March 7, 2003, the Glasgow Housing Association took ownership of the public housing stock from the city council, beginning a £96 million clearance and demolition programme for many high-rise flats.

2009: International Building Code Revision

In 2009, the International Building Code was revised, leading to the increased popularity of one-plus-five style mid-rise, wood-framed apartments in many American cities.

2010: Capitalization Rate in Greater Toronto Area

In Q3 2010, the average capitalization rate in the Greater Toronto Area was at 6.3 percent.

2011: London Housing Demographics

By the time of the 2011 census, 52% of all homes in London were flats, many of which were converted Georgian or Victorian houses, council flats, or post-World War II tower blocks.

2015: Capitalization Rate in Greater Toronto Area

In Q3 2015, the average capitalization rate in the Greater Toronto Area hit its lowest level in 30 years, standing at 3.75 percent, down from 4.2 percent in Q2 2015 and almost 50 percent from 6.3 percent in Q3 2010.

2019: Apartment Living in Korea

As of 2019, a majority of Koreans live in apartments, which have become a representative form of residence for over half of the population since the 1980s.