Price per sq foot -- condo Manhattan

Where are you seeing 2BR/2BA condos on the UWS for $885/sqft? Haven't seen any at that range, but may be that I'm not looking at the same buildings.

Agree with bjw2103. $1300/sqft new dev seems low and $885/sqft for existing condo seems very low. Especially for a 2/2. 2/2 co-ops in UWS are around $1000-$1150/sqft, existing condos about $1200-$1400/sqft. I would expect quality new devs in the $1500-$1600 range (and higher).

If you want to sell it quickly, I would look at many other things besides SF. Apartments vary greatly, even in the same line of the same building.

They go into contract right away. This one is kips bay, and needed some work, still condo price was below 800 sqft. http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/160447-condo-248-east-31st-street-kips-bay-new-york

Here's another: http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/160447-condo-248-east-31st-street-kips-bay-new-york
200 w 78th, 2/2 885k. footage isn't listed, but by the looks of it I'd guess it's over 1,000-1100sf

the w 78th property has no doorman and is a walk-up. It also looks like it is closer to 800 sf. Nice area though.

Um, LP1, Kips Bay is NOT the UWS. I don't know anyone who actually wants to live in the 30s; the UWS, however, is high on most people's lists. I saw the condo on 200 West 78th - it was most likely under 1000 sqft, but it's quite nice and I was going to bid on it, though in talking to the broker right before their best and final "deadline," it was clear it was going to go over asking, which was a bit of a stretch for me. I could be wrong, but wait to see what the recorded sales price is. This isn't to say that you won't find a 2/2 condo at that price, but I wouldn't hold my breath. If you're trying to sell, and it's not a superweird layout and in good condition, I'm fairly confident you'd get some serious offers at $1000/sqft or more.

200 West 78th is under 700 sqft based upon the floor plan (I calculated 629 without bathrooms, cabinets, closets, etc) so at the very least you are talking $1265/sqft for a walk up, non doorman unit.

What is the average price per sq ft in Carnegie Hill? Is something in the $1200 range the norm these days (for a person to person sale)?

West 78th looks nice, but no chance that place is 1000 sf. You generally have to go north of 96th on the UWS to find any 2/2's for less than $1K per sf. Good luck.

bjw2103 -- don't be rude. First, the 30s is quite nice and has an excellent elementary school. The neighborhood is convenient to midtown and downtown. I've been in this city for decades, and don't need you to explain neighborhoods.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on w78th. Again, I understand 885/sqft is low in 2008, but there are a few sales in that range. We'll see how the next year plays out with wall st/credit/economy being what they are now.

LP1, sorry if that came off as rude, but was confusing for you to talk about the UWS in your original post and then cite examples in Kips Bay. There certainly are those who like that area and value it for its proximity to midtown, etc., but I don't think it's as desirable as the UWS to most. Also, I have no way of knowing how long you've lived here.

Anyone noticed the ppsf has been dropping on streeteasy's "StreetFact" .. interesting to see if a trend forms here

LP1 - Have you looked into Kips Bay Towers? Same elementary school as the one you posted above... and then there's the private park.

check out harlem

LP1 - My UWS apartment just went for about $1150/sf. It is a one bedroom in a full service condo building (not new development). I think it would be hard to find something under $1050/sf in this area. But you probably could up north more.

wyndcliff, thanks for the tip on Kips Bay Towers. I'll check it out. Everyone, I suppose I'm just being hopeful on getting down the ppsf. The Fed's Beige Book came out today saying that Manhattan prices are up 5-6% over Q1 2007, so despite the worries on wall st, Manhattan really might escape the downturn (that's both good and bad.)

BTW, we're looking everywhere that has a good elementary school. Tips appreciated!

For some reason Kips Bay Towers doesn't show up here. The wrong building comes up. Which is odd since its 2 bldgs with 1100 units and 4 street addresses. There's a 5 acre private park with kids playground, full court basketball, picnic tables, and a brand new fitness center. I know a few people who live there and they love it. Great for kids. Was designed by I.M. Pei and they're one of the first all concrete buildings. Some people love the look, some hate it. P/sf is all over the place as many units are in original condition and others have been renovated, and of course the units with the park views go for more. I know someone who closed in Sept with street views for around $900/sf but they're going through a gut reno now. Even the street side units have decent views as both building's are set back about 100 ft, separated by the driveways and private parking spaces (don't get too excited, the waitlist is a couple decades long).

This broker lives in the building and only handles units there:
http://kipsbaytowers.com

Another:
http://www.beaugrand.com/currentlistings.html

There's a renovated 3bd sponsor unit here for $1100/sf. Small for 3bd, but good bones (common areas separate from bedrooms, etc):
http://www.metropolitanequities.com

Your best bet is to look up the 4 addresses in the nytimes. Good luck!

Hey we saw this one last weekend a great space and the price per sf is right in line.
http://www.prudentialelliman.com/Listings.aspx?ListingID=953942

except for the common charges. They are high so the sf is lower to compensate.

I too am looking for a 2BR on UWS. I haven't seen anything around $885. I wonder how accurate StreetEasy, or anyone's ppsf numbers are. There are many complaints on these boards about over inflated square footage. If you take the real sq.ft. for an apartment instead of what's in the broker listing the prices are even higher.

Data point:

315 7th avenue has condo units for resale at about $1100/sf.

I know the cheaper one has a lot of interest.

Yes the common charges seemed high but they did say something like 65% was tax deductable.Nice lobby and roof deck too.

LP1 - in response to good elementary schools, district two probably has some of the best schools in the city. Most of district 2 schools are downtown - have you looked in the Battery Park/FIDI area? I know they aren't traditional neighborhoods, but they are cheaper than Tribeca and are zoned for the same schools. Also, I know you are searching specifically in Manhattan, but I was in the same situation - looking for 2 bed/2 bath priced in the $800's in a neighborhood with good schools and ended up purchasing in Brooklyn.