columbus Square

Way overpriced at this moment.

I signed a lease there for a 2 bed, 1 bath. Expensive, psf (I am paying $2424 but got 2 months free rent) but the finishes and amenities are really excellent. I am thinking of it as paying for a country club, as I only plan to stay one year while I feel out the sales market. I love in July 7. Whole Foods is to open in mid August.

Oops- THAT would be a deal. I signed for $4225

Are you ok with the neighborhood?

I am. I'd be happier if it were 10 blocks south, but the transportation is excellent, the park is right there and most of what we need (I have a 4 month old) including Whole Foods, Chase, Duane Reade, etc are in the base of the building and the amenities (kids play room, indoor outdoor pool, 2 acre park, etc, etc) are enough to spend lots of time IN the building.... I do think they are going to have a very hard time filling the building for these prices

is that price before or after the free two months? thanks.

Before. With those loss of my $170 (!) gym membership (their gym is going to be great) and the 2 months free rent, I am paying just over $3300 a month

do you have a nice view at that price?

Go tour it- Mine is in back but overlooks a huge garden they are doing- and lots of sky, facing west. It's worth an hour to see what the building has to offer

Something tells me that columbia has no idea where 808 Columbus is.

really...did you consult your crystal ball? according to their website its just down the block from columbus circle. you get it circle, square? and next no doubt we'll have columbus triangle---vast reach of the ocean where ships mysteriously disappear.

In speaking to the leasing office (once I finally got a human being on the phone), I got the impression they're pretty realistic about the situation, and ready to make deals.

Overall, for a homeseeker who likes the neighborhood, and who might consider buying in Ariel or the 455 CPW tower but doesn't want/need to buy now, Columbus Square could be a good place to ride out the dip.

bravo, columbia county!

Ariel seekers, I can see. Ariel was built with current standard finishes, comparable to 808 Columbus, and is in the neighborhood more or less. 455 CPW, however, is not a likely investment comparable for several reasons. 1) it is isolated by projects; 2) it is approximately 50% owned by Columbia so there is no chance of getting decent financing. W81, by your suggestion, I take it to mean anyone who is foolhardy to think of a luxury building north of 96th St, would surely consider Ariel or 455 CPW or rent at Columbus Square. I gather you would never consider living north of 96th street, so you consider all building comparable. Ariel is clearly ahead of 455 IMO. You can walk to transportation and to Whole Foods without getting nervous. And while Columbia University is a deep pocketed landlord, I would rather live in a fully sold building.

PMG:
http://www.brownharrisstevens.com/detail.aspx?id=917980

osiris, One uninformed buyer does not make a market. I've lived in the neighborhood for over 25 years--always north of 86th Street. There is a reason the developer sold over half the building to Columbia. The developer was from Chicago. He made a bet that the UWS would continue to gentrify--a correct bet in my opinion. He was unaware of the structurally over-bearing projects north of 100th Street along Columbus and abutting this development. Osiris, What is your background/living experience for refuting my opinion?

PMG: No, I don't think Ariel and 455 CPW are interchangeable, or that they appeal to the same buyer pool. I do think the buyer pools overlap, and that portions of both would consider Columbus Square a viable rental alternative.

As for living above 96th, I'm a proud son of 104th Street.

PMG, I happen to watch 455 CPW being built —that's one of my several "living experiences" as you put it. Columbia wanted to own in there since the groundbreaking. If you look at the sales record in the castle part AND the tower, you'll see some pretty convincing numbers.
Also, the Jewish Home and Hospital ( w 106 & Columbus) is about to break ground for a condo tower and commercial space on the whole block between 105 & 106.

osiris, you say you watched it being built, as if to suggest you live in the neighborhood, but you didn't say that, so I think maybe you just work in the real estate industry. But you didn't say that either. Yes, the sales numbers are IMPRESSIVE at 455. Almost giving 15 CPW a run for its money, would you say?. How many sales have closed in the past 2 years at 455? And how many listings?

PMG, point blank: I LIVE(D) IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
I DO NOT work in anything even remotedly related to the real estate industry.
455 CPW: not much turnout. A lot of Europeans with families and some extremely wealthy people in the castle. Like Mr. Luflin of Lufkin & Genrette.
Why do I have to defend a building that has nothing to do with either you or me?

At jocura's rent loevel, that's a reasonable price. I think it's a cool neighborhood, but it's not for the stuffy. You should also look at Avalon's Bay building nearby on 110th. I am not saying it's better, but AVB is renting too. And no, I have nothing to do with AVB. One final thought, if you do move to these buildings, don't buy any cookies at the Hungarian bakeshop. They are terrible-I am convinced they are made in China. Also ask for option to rent for second year at a rent you are comfortable with (maybe one month off). They'll give it to you-I think- and you have no downside.

I have to say that I wouldn't go over W 106. And no way W 110.

We live north of 100th and are very happy with the neighborhood. There are also two other buildings to consider as we also explored the Ariel. How would you compare 272 west 107th and 545 west 110th to the Ariel and 455 CPW? We are excited to see Whole Foods and the others shops Columbus Square. I think it will just increase trafic and hopefully mean some of the open storefronts on Broadway will also fill up soon.