The classic NYC beauty of the Upper West Side conjures thoughts of large price tags and fancy, formal apartments. But that’s not always the case. Our Deal of the Week is an Upper West Side loft space that’s certainly not classic, but it has tons of character. This is an artist’s loft, a little rough around the edges — with an asking price far below what you’ll find in neighboring Riverside Drive buildings. Read on to find out why we love this unique space.

The Price: $345,000

The median asking price for an UWS home is $1.4 million, according to the StreetEasy Data Dashboard. That puts our Deal of the Week at a million dollars less than average for the neighborhood!

Buyers who put down the 20% minimum down payment of $69,000 can expect to see monthly payments of $1,572. This includes a mortgage payment of $1,149 and a maintenance fee of $423 — extraordinarily low. By comparison, the median asking rent for an Upper West Side 1-bedroom is $2,700.

Why You’ll Love It…

It’s not surprising that this Upper West Side loft was once home to a prolific artist. The place is definitely unique, starting with its layout. It technically has three different levels. The bottom floor is the living area, office/studio, and kitchen, the bathroom is in the middle, and a sleeping loft is up top. The ceilings are sky-high, soaring up to 17 feet at the highest point. Looking up, you’ll see lots of intricate wood beams and skylights.

The downstairs area has over 500 square feet of space and houses a kitchen with full-size appliances, including a dishwasher. There’s also a peninsula that makes a great prep space or breakfast bar. When standing in the kitchen, you can look up and see the staircase to the bathroom — very cool! The sleeping loft has the best access to the skylights and windows, which are narrow but wrap around the space in a full 360 degrees. There are lots of nooks and crannies for storage throughout.

This Upper West Side loft is set in a 1920s co-op that stands out for its Art Deco style. It features a full-time doorman, live-in super, bike storage, and a laundry room. The building hosts revolving art shows in its grand lobby — and, obviously, Riverside Drive is just across the street from the wonderful Riverside Park.

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… And Why You Might Not

Of course, what some might find charming others might find strange, or even stressful. Our Deal of the Week is definitely not for everyone, especially those who don’t want to climb two flights of stairs to go to bed. In addition, all the windows are on the upper mezzanine level. The downstairs level does not receive much direct light, though it does get some through the clear staircase and open layout. Finally, as we said in the beginning, this Upper West Side loft is a bit rough around the edges. It could use some work to smooth things out. But if you’re looking for a special place at a very special price, it’s certainly one to watch.

Check out the listing at 310 Riverside Drive #314, and contact a StreetEasy Expert on the listing for more details. (StreetEasy Experts are agents with proven experience in a particular building or area.)


Whether you’re looking to rent or to buyfind your next NYC apartment on StreetEasy.