404 3rd Street, C1
You know there is a housing crisis when older housing stock gets rapidly converted into 'luxury' development. As townhouses across Manhattan and Brooklyn return to their single-family origins and developers mull repositioning older office and hotel properties into residential uses, the traditional pre-war walk-ups that serve as mainstays in our historic neighborhoods are also getting in on the high life. Have mercy on us renters.
Fortunately, New York is a big city teeming with scores of well-built buildings with strong bones, thick walls, and memorable character. As we already know, construction-wise, they don't build them like they used to, and unless you're willing to pay an arm and a leg for custom details and top-notch craftsmanship, these countless pre-war gems may be one's best bet in buying a roomy, high-quality home in the city at an approachable price point.
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Regardless of pre-war construction or new development, one typically has to go further out from lower Manhattan to secure lower prices. However, the city's robust mass transportation system, a plethora of walkable neighborhoods, and more flexible in-office schedules may take the sting out of moving farther out. Moreso, for those looking to invest, these oft-overlooked neighborhoods are more likely to see a greater increase in value in the coming years, just as the waterfront neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Queens have over the last two decades.
As rents escalate, the best way to stop forking over thousands of dollars to your landlord is buying, and a steady stream of pre-war rental-to-condo/co-op conversions offers entry-level apartments affordable to a larger share of New Yorkers.
Images of Northern Lights credit of Glacier Equities
Over in Queens, Glacier Equities is overhauling a four-wing gated community in Flushing into 62 newly-renovated condominium homes priced from $689K. Dubbed Northern Lights, partly due to its address at 148-09 Northern Boulevard, the complex is selling one- to three bedrooms with renovated kitchens and baths coupled with timeless details.
The Tudor-style community was finished in 1926 and features a central landscaped courtyard along with some preserved historic features, many of which have been refreshed. As for the apartments, original details such as stone wood-burning fireplaces, custom millwork, and moldings have been buffed up, while new Terra Legno wood flooring, renovated kitchens, in-unit washer/dryer, and updated baths with radiant heated flooring are part of Glacier's overhaul.
New listings are slated to go live next week with homes ranging from 733 square feet to 1,750 square feet in size. Prices on the one- to three-bedroom apartments ask from $689,000 to $1,299,000 and current availabilities can be found here.
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"Northern Lights is a stately development in a vibrant, transit-rich neighborhood, providing a gated oasis with easy access to the excitement of Downtown Flushing,” said Myles Horn, Principal, Glacier Equities. “The original details as well as the pre-war layouts, which allow for much larger floor plans, cannot be replicated in ground-up new developments of today.”
Amenities at Northern Lights include an on-site laundry room with state-of-the-art machines, resident storage rooms for lease, and video intercom entry. Future bells-and-whistles are to include a state-of-the-art fitness center, children’s playroom, common lounge, and a Tulu-shared equipment room.
Forthcoming fitness center
New & Notable Pre-war Listings
All images of 512 East 82nd Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Located on a picturesque non through thru tree line street, "Loft like " partial floor thru sunny, quiet one bedroom is situated on the parlor floor with massive private outdoor space. The adjoining townhouses surround you with their lush greenery giving you maximum privacy with open sky views providing sunlight into the center of the space. The kitchen door leads onto your own private patio for dining pleasure or walk down the staircase onto a huge stone slated, newly fenced-in private backyard with water and electrical for your gardening pleasure. The windowed kitchen provides ample countertop and cabinetry for cooking with a new dishwasher. Streaming sunlight all day long from the large picture window surrounded by the lovely built-in dining banquette with storage providing an open layout into the living room area, prime for entertaining. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 2 West 90th Street via Compass
From the Listing: This bright, beautifully renovated lofted studio has southern views of brownstone gardens, a soaring 11'4" ceiling, and an abundance of storage space. The high-quality renovation includes new hardwood floors, a ceiling fan, a custom-made wall bed/sofa with bookcases, and a new through-wall A/C. The large sleeping loft easily handles a queen-size bed. The kitchen has beautiful wood cabinets, a new gas stove, and a new fridge. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of The Allendale via Core Group NYC
From the Listing: For a turn-key classic prewar home, look no further. This fully renovated and lovingly kept massive garden-view corner one bed offers an eat-in granite-top kitchen, a tastefully designed bath with quality fixtures, ample storage, original hardwood floors, and much more. Framed by sculpturesque arches, this highly functional and grand layout offers a formal dining area, a spacious living room, a living room-sized corner bedroom, a classically tiled bath with a standing shower and soaking tub, as well as an incredible windowed eat-in kitchen, complete with quality stainless steel appliances. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 834 Riverside Drive via Compass
From the Listing: Bright and airy unit completely renovated from top to bottom! The spacious living room with built-in shelving, opens up to the large dining room with beautiful built-in shelving on both sides of the room. The windowed kitchen is designed to perfection with white marble counter tops, white cabinetry, Bertazzoni stove and microwave, Leibherr refrigerator, and Miele dishwasher. The windowed spa-like bathroom has been designed to be a modern "Romanesque" wet room, with its open walk-in shower, basketweave marble tiled flooring, and marble tiled walls.
TArea Median Income Guidelines (AMI, 120%) for this HDFC are as follows: 1 PERSON: $100,320, 2 PEOPLE: 114,600, 3 PEOPLE: $128,880, 4 PEOPLE: 143,160. See floor plan and full details here.
TArea Median Income Guidelines (AMI, 120%) for this HDFC are as follows: 1 PERSON: $100,320, 2 PEOPLE: 114,600, 3 PEOPLE: $128,880, 4 PEOPLE: 143,160. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 50 Park Terrace West via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: Welcome to 50 Park Terrace West, Inwood's most beautiful Art Deco Building. This spacious 1-bedroom co-op apartment is loaded with charm and original detail including a sunken living room with wrought iron railings and beautiful hardwood floors with border inlays. Apartment details also include a newly renovated windowed eat-in kitchen, windowed bathroom with 6' cast iron tub and lots of closets and windows throughout. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 1350 Ocean Parkway via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: This junior four corner unit is sunlight-filled, bright, and perched on the top floor of an elevator building with breathtaking views of the Freedom Tower and Verrazzano Bridge. At approximately 950 square feet, the apartment is spacious and thoughtfully laid out, it offers a generous windowed eat in kitchen with plenty of cabinet space and an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment features an entry foyer, large living/dining room with plenty of space for entertaining as well as to create a home office. Additional features include hardwood floors and high ceilings throughout, plenty of closet space, on-site super, and a waiting list for parking for $125 per month. See floor plan and full details here.
425 West 24th Street via Compass
From the Listing: Renovated turn-key studio in a boutique Chelsea co-op features exposed brick, wood plank flooring, decorative fireplace, detailed crown moldings, and customized built-ins. The kitchen has been renovated and outfitted with stainless steel appliances. The bath has also been recently renovated, and features glass shower doors.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 95 Park Terrace East via Access Property Group
From the Listing: If you're a fan or Art Deco architecture, this 1-bed/1-bath will make your heart beat just a little faster due to its intricate detailing. The entrance with a small coat closet opens to a generous foyer/sunken living room combo overlooking a quiet, tree-lined street. A trendy pass-through adjoins the living room to the thoughtfully renovated kitchen for easy entertaining, featuring custom-built wood cabinetry with ingenious space-maximizing solutions, all stainless appliances, quartz counters, and a swanky porcelain tile backsplash. The oversized bedroom with amazing custom-fitted closets, a nifty dresser nook, and two exposures easily accommodates a king-size bedroom set, and is conveniently separated from the living areas. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 675 Vanderbilt Avenue via Compass
From the Listing: Spacious two-room studio with massive deeded private storage room is close to Prospect Park. The bright and true dine-in kitchen boasts stainless appliances, granite countertops and verona stove. Through the original door frame (option to add pocket doors to separate rooms) is bedroom and living area with large closet. There is space to accommodate both bed and couch configured in different ways to your design liking. Renovated bathroom has been updated with Porcelanosa fixtures and additional modern features. Historic touches throughout with beautiful molding, decorative fireplace and painted tin ceilings. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of Pomander Walk via Compass
From the Listing: Come see this fabulous studio unit at the historic Pomander Walk on the Upper West Side! Enter through the wrought iron private gate and find yourself in a magical secret garden landscaped with colorful hydrangea and blossoming rose bushes or this time of year even your own winter wonderland! Now walk a bit down this idyllic little lane to 262 Pomander Walk and you'll find a dream: a lovely studio with a private entrance. Inside this studio, you'll find well thought out storage, sleeping area and living space, an enormous fully renovated windowed eat in kitchen with an abundance of cabinets and drawers, a Bosch dishwasher, Kitchen Aid microwave and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. The unit also boasts updated electrical, hardwood floors and a large bathroom with tiled shower, Kohler sink and plenty of storage drawers. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 317 East 18th Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Located on a quiet tree-lined street just a short walk from Union Square, this newly renovated unit features 10' ceilings, huge open floor plan, triple exposures with city skyline views, dark-stained hardwood floors, modern kitchen with U-Line stainless appliances, custom built-in shelves in the living room, dining alcove, and a modern tiled bath. The unit has a large west-facing king sized bedroom with built-in shelves and ample closet space. The co-op has a live-in super and a laundry room in the building. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 70 Lenox Road via Triplemint
From the Listing: A chic blend of classic and contemporary, this first-floor unit, at over 1,000 square feet, is a polished two-bedroom with northern and eastern exposures. Set back from the street you enjoy light, quiet, and privacy along with a view of the building's front yard. Original details, like the refinished parquet floors, have been thoughtfully maintained while the unit has been seamlessly enhanced. Recent improvements include brand-new electrical throughout, built-in library shelves in the hallway, built-out floor-to-ceiling pantry and closets. In addition to the building's smart door buzzer system, this unit includes a Nest mobile-connected smoke/carbon monoxide alarm. The kitchen has been updated with brand-new stainless steel appliances, oversized countersunk workstation sink, custom quartz countertops and a new dishwasher. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 310 West 55th Street via Keller Williams
From the Listing: Located on a charming treelined street and nestled between the Theatre District to the east and south, vibrant Hells Kitchen to the west, and a stones throw to Central Park to the north, with easy access to transportation, shopping and dining options, the location could not be better. Bright south and west rear-facing, serene treetop garden views provide a tranquil sanctuary of pin-drop silence. The recently renovated, windowed kitchen and bath have been tastefully updated. The kitchen features state-of-art stainless appliances, quartz countertops, custom cabinetry with plenty of storage, and an at-home workspace, while the bathroom features a glass-enclosed walk-in shower and exquisite tiling. The one-of-a-kind oval-shaped dining room articulates the heart of this home and is perfect for entertaining the gang or dinners pas de deux. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 875 Saint Mark's Avenue via Compass
From the Listing: This one-bed, one-bath condo with a 350-square-foot private terrace has all of the bells and whistles, including high quality Ipe decking, in-unit washer/dryer, dishwasher and central heat and air, situated in a converted pre-war mansion on picturesque St. Mark's Avenue! The elegant interior design boasts natural white oak herringbone hardwood floors, white and blue custom shaker-style cabinetry accented with oil-rubbed bronze hardware, white Ceasarstone countertops and a top-of-the-line stainless steel appliance package which includes a Bertazzoni range with Faber hood, Fisher-Paykel counter depth refrigerator and Electrolux dishwasher. The distinctive, state-of-the-art bathroom, outfitted with brushed nickel hardware and wall-to-wall beveled white subway tile, includes a deep soaking tub, custom-built marble-top vanity and floors with hand-painted designer patterns.
See floor plan and full details here.
221 West 20th Street via Stephen A. Brown Real Estate
From the Listing: Situated on a desirable Chelsea block, this floor-through gem is three flights up in a boutique building of only 10 units. Enjoy the eat-in kitchen, bright living room, quiet bedroom, and Old World charm! The brownstone is pet-friendly and has storage, a bike room, a central laundry room, and a garden.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of The Endymion via Compass
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From the Listing: This peaceful and oversized one-bedroom is the perfect combination of size, gut renovation, and location. As you enter the foyer, you are immediately taken by the 9 foot ceilings and the spacious and open concept kitchen. The kitchen marries beauty and function with full sized appliances (dishwasher too!) and custom finishes including a rounded, spacious island which can seat five and has been fitted with granite countertops, a tile backsplash, and custom oak cabinets. The island serves as the anchor of the home for dining, entertaining, and even as a cozy place to work from home. From the beautiful strip wood floors, track lighting, and custom closets to the barn closet doors and in-unit washer dryer, no detail has been overlooked. Tax abatement in effect until 2025. See floor plan and full details here.
The Garrison via Keller Williams
From the Listing: A coop since 1929, this stately, beautifully maintained Sugar Hill building was home to Harlem Renaissance luminaries Countee Cullen and Zora Neale Hurston, among others. Once in the apartment, with its high ceilings, comfortable layout, beamed, wood paneled living room and the ability to restore a half bath, you immediately see that this 2-3 bedroom apartment has all the ingredients to create a one-of-a-kind home with the character that only a pre-war building can offer. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 706 Sackett Street via Compass
From the Listing: Situated on Sackett Street in Park Slope, Unit 1L is unlike anything you've seen. A floor thru one bedroom with a sprawling private garden oasis. With southern light and a special ivy covered wall, you will spend your days and nights in this peaceful outdoor space. Enter into your airy living and dining room with an open kitchen which has been recently renovated with brand new stainless steel appliances including dishwasher. Exposed brick and high ceilings complete the space. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 48 Allen Street via Compass
From the Listing: Residence 2A is a perfectly designed 435-square-foot studio unit in the heart of the Lower East Side, where a prewar building has been thoughtfully redesigned. The European state-of-the-art kitchen and the sleek bath makes this residence truly value oriented for a first-time buyer. Finishes/appliances include Bosch stainless steel oven, Alta Cucina kitchen cabinets, and beautiful Porcelanosa hardwood floors. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 404 3rd Street via New York Casas Ltd.
From the Listing: Beautifully renovated one-bedroom near Prospect Park is rich in thoughtful pre-war details wooden molding, richly hued solid hardwoods, and a striking living room that features exposed brick and stunning wood-trimmed bay windows. The windowed kitchen has stainless steel appliances including gas range and dishwasher, white brick backsplash, stone counters, and a butchers block eat-at counter. Adjacent is space for a dining table with a built-in seating nook and built-in storage space. The bedroom provides excellent closet space and the windowed bathroom is crisp and bright with a full-sized tub. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 202 West 92nd Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Upper West Side co-op's extra-large, sun-filled living room boasts soaring 9-foot ceilings, oversized windows, open city views, a gorgeous exposed brick wall, and a wood burning fireplace. The windowed kitchen was just enlarged and renovated to include the dining area with beautiful new countertops, custom cabinetry, and all stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher. The renovated windowed bathroom is spacious and features double sinks. This home features hardwood floors, a new washer dryer, three closets including a large walk-in, and a very low maintenance! See floor plan and full details here.
All images of Chelsea Mews via Compass
From the Listing: Authentic Chelsea loft boasts 11-foot ceilings, a spacious living space, oversized windows, large sleep loft, separate home office/sleep area, exposed brick and decorative fireplace, renovated kitchen with brand new Bertazonni range, Liebherr refrigerator, and Bosch dishwasher. The bathroom is pristine and updated as well. The flexible living situation could involve the new owner to use the office area as an enclosed bedroom, or the current sleep loft as an office and storage area with a deep storage space behind the loft. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 366 Lafayette Avenue via Compass
From the Listing: This spacious 3 bedroom floor-through in the heart of Clinton Hill is not to be missed. Enter the open and expansive living and dining area and you are immediately struck by large windows, a wood-burning fireplace, and wall of exposed brick. There's a renovated and open kitchen with an island, 1.5 baths (easily converted to 2) and a walk-in laundry closet with a washer and dryer. The primary bedroom has 2 south-facing windows and a decorative fireplace that adds warmth to an already bright and relaxing space. Two other full bedrooms have closets and are perfect for guests, a workspace and/or nursery. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 184 East 2nd Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: This newly renovated spacious two-bedroom home is found in the rear of an intimate walk-up building on the fourth floor. Overlooking the north-facing communal backyards with additional western exposure via the windows found in every room, this residence is both light-filled and quiet. There are exposed brick walls and modern bleached hardwood floors throughout this unique apartment, which has a separate dining/home office area and tons of closet space! The kitchen comes complete with stainless steel appliances, tons of beautiful storage space and a dishwasher, and the bathroom has a huge soaking tub and rainfall showerhead. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of The Saint via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Residence #2 is a sunlit masterpiece with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the serene, south-facing rooftop deck. Occupying the desirable full parlor level, it features two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a clever home-office area, plus a super-large storage space. This impeccable home has full-sized private laundry, ample closets, and custom European kitchen with pantry. The primary bedroom features ensuite bath and dressing area, and both primary the guest bedrooms have large south-facing windows. Unlimited access to the building's south-facing, shared roof-top deck is just upstairs where you can gather to enjoy BBQing and sunny views over Brooklyn completes this perfect home. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 457 3rd Street via Compass
From the Listing: Live on one of Park Slope's most coveted blocks! Enter the apartment and you are immediately introduced to its gracious size, open floor plan, gleaming hardwood floors, and abundant sunlight. The apartment features an expansive living room with three bay windows overlooking the exquisite tree-lined street, original picture moldings, and a magnificent built-in cherry mantel and mirror that add an air of elegance and charm. The formal dining area is separated by the original pocket doors for a seamless transition between entertaining and dining. Down the hallway, the perfect spot for a gallery wall, you find the windowed kitchen, a full bath with travertine tile, and three bedrooms, amply sized, with plenty of closet space. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 104 West 87th Street via Douglas Elliman
From the Listing: Set in a lovely co-op brownstone just one block from Central Park, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom home combines turn-of-the-century architectural details and charm with smart, modern updates. Recently renovated, this floor-through apartment boasts the elegant details one expects from a home of this era, including 10-and-a-half-foot ceilings, double crown moldings, original oak shutters and ornate, carved window and door frames. With a great layout for entertaining, the bright and spacious 18-foot by 19-foot living/dining room is anchored by treetop views from north-facing windows, while modern lighting and gleaming Brazilian cherry floors nod to the home's careful renovations.The nearby galley kitchen will delight your inner chef with stainless steel appliances, plus excellent counter space, convenient breakfast bar seating and ample cabinet and pantry storage. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 487 9th Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: Welcome home to this true 3-bedroom, 2-bath with a gigantic private roof deck facing sweeping panoramic views of the city from the Statue of Liberty to midtown Manhattan from the peak of Park Slope. Upon arrival, you are immediately greeted with a spectacular south-facing Great Room with 11' ceiling heights and sunlight pouring into the classic bay windows where your plants will thrive. The open kitchen features custom cabinetry and countertops, modern stainless steel appliances, including dishwasher, microwave, stove with hood and side by side refrigerator and makes the ideal launching ground for entertaining. Two bedrooms in the back of the building give you plenty of room for contemplative reading overlooking well-manicured gardens below. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 18 Monroe Place via Brown Harris Stevens
From the Listing: Light-filled and airy, this two-bedroom, one and a half-bath in a townhouse dating back to 1854 has been tastefully upgraded while retaining its pre-war charm with features such as two fireplaces, exposed brick, large windows, and high ceilings. You are welcomed by an open and bright living/dining room with three large windows that overlook Monroe Place. A wall of exposed brick, a fireplace, hardwood floors and recessed lighting help create the ideal space for entertaining. There is a built-in custom bench that completes a dining nook adjacent to the fireplace and oversized window. The focal point in the living area is an expertly custom built wall of bookcases and cabinets for storage. The kitchen has been completely renovated with crisp white cabinetry and a subway style backsplash, quartz countertops, high end stainless steel appliances and reclaimed wood shelving. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 530 1st Street via Compass
From the Listing: Top-floor co-op is flooded with light through thirteen windows and with panoramic views of the New York City skyline looking over the protected / landmarked Park Slope Historic District. The kitchen and baths have recently been updated, and a home office area looks out on a picturesque Park Slope block. Additional features include hardwood floors, original plaster details and woodwork, and in-unit washer/dryer.
See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 211 Warren Street via Corcoran
From the Listing: Crafted with an incredible design sense inside an historic landmarked 25-foot-wide brownstone, this sparkling gem ticks all the boxes: gorgeous south light from three huge windows spanning the front of the apartment, an open kitchen with amazing style and storage, two serene bedrooms at the quiet rear of the apartment, two gorgeous bathrooms, a washer/dryer and peaceful, elegant details throughout. With 10' ceilings and beautiful white oak floors, this home's perfect layout provides a generous living room along with a separate dining area. The open kitchen's finishes include a white quartzite island, walnut base cabinets, and white lacquer upper cabinets and pantry. Miele appliances are integrated with custom panels as well. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 461 Washington Avenue via Corcoran
From the Listing: At 1,550 square feet, this convertible three-bedroom apartment feels bright and airy with twelve-foot high ceilings, white oak herringbone flooring, and south and west-facing windows in every room. Enter your apartment through your keyed elevator, opening into your spacious kitchen. With custom shaker cabinetry, massive marble island, state-of-the-art Viking appliances, and extra storage, this is truly a chef's dream. The kitchen adjoins the living/ dining with its over-sized windows, and a separate entrance. The main bedroom suite has enormous closet space and an oversize bathroom with both a (marble) shower and a luxurious soaking tub. 461 Washington Ave. enjoys a J-51 tax abatement currently in place that expires in 2032. See floor plan and full details here.
All images of 20 West 90th Street via Sotheby's International Realty
From the Listing: Located on a quintessential Central Park block, this home encompasses the original parlor floor and 21' wide garden of an 1893 Renaissance Revival brownstone.
Inviting, loft-like living room features south-facing picture window, wood-burning insert fireplace, and home theater with exposed brick surround. The home is perfect for entertaining, with a chef's kitchen tastefully framed by architectural glass. The full-width primary bedroom suite includes a glass and marble bath with a shower and soaking tub, as well as an enormous walk-in closet that you can actually walk into. The unit's 550 square feet of private outdoor space comprises an elevated balcony off of the second bedroom, a functional area below with water point and outdoor electric, and a huge 21' x 17' garden with irrigation system and custom lighting. See floor plan and full details here.
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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