One of downtown Providence’s newest development projects, the Arcade, is getting national attention as a trend setter. It’s currently on display at a New York exhibit beside properties in Tokyo, Montreal, Seattle, and other major metropolitan cities.

The exhibit, Making Room: New Models for Housing New Yorkers, showcases the designs of micro-loft apartment buildings as innovative solutions for people who live alone. Highlights include models and drawings that were commissioned by the Citizens Housing & Planning Council in partnership with the Architectural League of New York in 2011, along with winning designs from Mayor Bloomberg’s pilot competition to test new site-specific housing models.

In Providence, the historic Arcade will soon house 16 shops and restaurants on the first floor, with 48 micro-lofts on the second and third floors. The residential units range from 225 to 450 square feet (with few exceptions), and pricing starts at $550/month. The building is expected to open this spring.

The exhibit will remain open through September 15, 2013.