Ellington on the Park

Here's a review and a video on the nearby Ellison: http://tinyurl.com/nqh663.
Have not seen the Ellington yet, but you should assume the construction quality is cheap and shoddy.
These boom year condos mostly employed non-unionized day laborers who were learning on the job, and making mistakes as they went along.

There is a Google Group available for the Ellington. Perhaps you can ask those who are already scheduled to buy one of the subsidized apartments. It's a private group, but you can always ask for access if you let them know you are hoping to buy:
http://groups.google.com/group/130bradhurst

i'm also wondering about this question as a potential buyer. the best thing about the building is the park in front, and the best units are those with terraces facing the park. but when i look inside i worry: the layouts are not the best, the bathroom and kitchen are the cheapest i have ever seen in a new building, there are hardy any lighting fixtures, and worse of all, there seems to be very little soundproofing between units (i could hear people talk through the wall in the bedroom next door). maintenance is not so cheap either, and the price per sf is well above average. any other visitor to the building please share your impressions here. tks.

I agree about the layouts but not the kitchen cheapness. It appears to have high-ish end appliances and is nicely done. There are definitely some issues with construction (one kitchen drawer would not open all the way because the knob slams into another drawer - unit 1103). If anyone has any specific advice about 904 that would be great!

i'm in the process of buying a unit in this building in case anyone wants to talk.

how did it go?

bought the unit; love the building; great apartment; bank process a nightmare but worked (very last possible day to close...was the closing...)...ask quesitons if interested. The magmt was offering owners 6 mos of maint. costs if we find new buyers that close until recently...point is, they are anxious to bargain with buyers, and the units/bldg are worth it. biggest trade off is the location (moved from lower harlem) but a worthy one...

I actually think the location is pretty good. Granted, 145th isn't anywhere near as booming as 125th/FDB, but it's a LOT better than 135th! I'd rather live here than even the buildings on Lenox and 129th, despite their proximity to 125th. And, Jackie Robinson Park is amazing, AND it's only one stop on the A to get to 125th. It's also only about 15 minutes to Times Square.

I also liked the units. There were two problems I had that kept them from being my first choice. First, the floor plan I wanted was no longer available on a high enough floor-- the building next to it took away a lot of light. Second, I didn't like having air conditioners. The ideal for me is central air, though I was okay to settle for PTAC units. I think most of NYC is perfectly fine with air conditioners, though. Oh, I also didn't really like this place being a coop, nor did I like the rules on renting, even though I currently plan to occupy forever.

I have to say, I would have gotten a little more for the money at the Ellington. I ended up buying at the Apex, where the finishes are more high-end, but I only had enough for the necessary 25% down on a 2BR. Here I could have easily gotten a 3BR. More space was tempting...

All in all, it's a nice building, one where I could see myself living. If for some reason the contract at the Apex falls through (if they don't follow through on lowering their common charges), there's a very good chance that we'll end up going back to the Ellington!

Maintenance seems a little high. What's the neighborhood like?

The neighborhood is fine. Jackie Robinson Park right next to it is excellent, and 145th street has some commerce-- A starbucks, DR, grocery store, etc. It is nowhere near as active as the FDB corridor (110th to 125th) or 125th st, but it's a nice, sleepy area.

we bought a 3bdr office; 1400 sf; feels much larger than it is because of layout; we love the apt, and the building; new to coops but this is the least restrictive I have heard of. neighbourhood has less crime issues than other parts of harlem I have lived in and JR park and 145th very lively and well kept; love the mix of people and restaurants, esp. Latino places towards B'way. Less places for food delivery than lower Harlem. So far fixtures etc holding out well, and strangely missing ice maker water line connector in our magnificent fridge will be installed soon, unexpectdly. Bike room is full but board looking for options in garage, etc. Staff is very nice and attentive. Use the gym regularly but lacks some equipment. Have not tried a/c units other than in small office, so not sure if BTU's can handle NYC summer. We still think the price we got was very good. units moving very slowly but moving. Most of the comments above on the location are shared. Bath fixtures not ultra luxurious, kitchen much more carefully done. biggest limitation was closet space but I installed large Ikea closets and bdroom and lvg room large enouugh to handle the space we needed so it worked out just fine. having a washer/dryer in the unit is just @@#$$#@%$ fantastic...