The Columbia

We could speculate about what it might be.

If the listings are sitting there at $1K psf, then they're overpriced. If not, then not.

$750 to $800 is the fair price range. Depending on the view or layout, the premium ones are at a bit above $800.

its a terrible building at any price

The Columbia was sold new for like $125 psf in 1983. I lived in it for two years as a tenant and hated the quality of the building, but the price was right (my own bedroom for less than $400 per mo), and I loved the access to the express subway and the health club with a 25 ft pool. Back in the 80s there was no such thing as Equinox, and the only neighborhood option was the Paris health club. Although The Columbia is a third-rate building, at the right price I wouldn't hesitate to buy in it today, provided I could also afford a gut renovation.

what's the sense of owning the best place in a terrible building - and the prices there are way above what they should be - as an added bonus, the people who run the building are idiots - there was a water pipe break there a little while back and it literally took them 6 months to get a handle on the clean up/repairs, and even then they did the bare minimum - when they replaced the floors in some of the apartments, they used cheap particle board tiles and said that's all they were required to do, end of discussion

jnnj, how do you know so much? do you live in the building? *I said it's a third-rate building--but that is what some people can afford*

I live nearby and represent an owner who rents his place out. I understand what you are saying completely, but just feel that there are better deals in the neighborhhod, relatively speaking.

This building is underpriced. In 2-3 years, it will be priced well over 1K per square foot. Kevin Chenny does not what he is talking about. Neither does jnnj. Jnnj could not afford to live in this building.

Look, there are about 300 units. Not everyone there is unhappy. Some individuals have had bad experiences with the quality of the building, the board, or the mgt co. That is life in the big city. Do your due diligence, ask for board meeting minutes, un-redacted

Original plumbing has been replaced and many other improvements/corrections are in process. Add the health club/pool/playroom/storage rooms, the convenience of the neighborhood and the Columbia an excellent place to live in 2009.

2009 is almost over. How will it be in 2010? Any mice?

No mice and 2010 looks at least as good as 2009.

There was just another big faulty plumbing flood in January that affected many floors and units so 2010 is still wet. Building had done some plumbing fixes but didn't finish the job. Everyone remains at risk.

Good news that seems like the bed bug outbreak is over - bed-bug spreading playroom was gut renovated within the last year or so and the doggie sniffer walking the halls is gone.

Windows in building still drafty. Climate control system still rickety. Common space above gym needs renovating. Lots of other work needed. Developer that built building cheaped out.

Newly replaced elevators working fine.

With exception of PHE (great quick sales effort for most coveted unit in building), prices for premium units with views going for approx. $1,000 per sf or much lower. Some lower floor units with huge terraces recently went for around that too (not counting terrace).

I think this is one of the earliest buildings to use PVC pipe in NYC. Guess, the Zeckondorfs (great developers) didn't follow the same quality standards as 15 CPW. How could such pipes last for decades, particularly when so many owners want to remodel the valves over time? When I lived in the building in 1983 the faucet fixtures were falling apart within six months.

Yet another big faulty plumbing flood of boiling hot water just took out multiple lines on multiple floors. Families/tenants are evacuated for a month or more as floors are ripped out and walls repaired. It's not clear whether the building is doing the standup thing and covering tenants for their uninsured costs. Nor are there any apparent building plans for overhauling the plumbing system to stop the recurring floods. The situation remains bad with all tenants at risk of being out of house and home at any moment with a good portion of their property destroyed due to water damage.

yes?

I want to buy a north facing 3 bed or convertable 3 bed in this building for 1.1 or less.
While waiting to find something to buy i would like to shortterm rent a 2 bed or three in the building for $550 or less.
ANy advice or opportunities i would appreciate hearing about .

What I meant to say in my previous post was that we could spend $5500 a month for a legal sublet in the Columbia.
And, want to buy a north facing 2 or 3 bed (if the 2 could be converted to a 3) .
Any one knowledgeable?

I have a deal that may or may not close for a large 2br in the building, you can contact me at uwsnycbroker@gmail.com and I'll let you know.

Building situation is good and improving. Issues are resolving as remaining renovations are done or planned by the board for near future. No more flooding. Pool nicely renovated. Prices seem to be going up too.

Issues are resolving. That's such a great line.

Hi Guys,

Anyone living in the building, is there still a plumbing issue? Any leaks from the heater/AC? Any leaks in the bathroom? How is the overall quality of the building?

still water problems here? Has the quality of the building & staff picked up at all?

I'm also interested in figuring out if the plumbing issues and staff complaints have been resolved. Anyone know?

not sure what the staff complaints are. in terms of plumbing, the building is doing a lot of work on the lines. this should have been done before, but now is better than later. there's a pretty hefty assessment for the next couple of years. it feels like the board finally woke up and is trying to build the finances up and address some of the longer term issues. the new pool area is fantastic. if the other repairs of that quality, things will be looking up.

The C0lumbia is a great building.

why?

It's hard to put in words.

try.

It's been a long time since the last post. What is the state of the building today? Still rundown and with issues or fixed.

The C0lumbia is still a great building.

Also wondering what the state of the building is today. Are plumbing issues and bedbug issues resolved?

No plumbing and bedbug issues since I moved in a few months ago. Building management is great. Very happy so far.

We are thinking in renting a place there....can somebody give be an updated of the situation there (plumbing, bedbug..etc)?