Views of Brick Walls

shouldn't be a problem to sell it.

which room or rooms have a view of a brick wall? Do any rooms have a view or does every single window face the wall? If every window has a wall view, I would pass on the apt.

All of them have views of brick walls. But it's in Hudson Heights.

Nothing more depressing than a living room with a brick wall view. It doesn't matter so much in a bedroom or kitchen. But you need at least one room with some kind of exposure to some kind of horizon. It will keep you off the meds.

"prominent exclusive NYC neighborhood"? for reals?

Everything is relative

Forgive my ignorance. Which 'prominent neighborhood' is Hudson Heights? The only way I'd consider such an apartment is if it were in the best building, on the best block, in the best area and available at an incredibly steep discount over the lowest comparable sale. The layout also better be stellar. No view from anywhere is depressing and VERY undesirable and one of the worst things you can have in terms of resale.

Recalling my son's venture into finding an apartment, I recall a broker telling him that an apartment was "dark" and that there were views of brick walls. "Dark" couldn't begin to describe the apartment. More than "gloomy." He came home saying it reminded him of a "COFFIN!" Years later, he still reminds me of that apartment and wonders how anyone could be living there!

Brick walls surrounding you in a Washington Heights apartment. Sure...great deal. Go for it.

manhattan is all about the views.

anything lower than the 4th floor is an undesireable apt IMO. You have to be above the trees at least.

Aren't 50% of apartments in Manhattan facing a brick wall.
And 99% of units don't really have a view anyways.

Uh...no.

inaru816 - I've never bought or sold an apartment, but my best guess is that "facing a brick wall" in any neighborhood is NOT good for much (sale, resale, living, the list goes on....)

"Forgive my ignorance. Which 'prominent neighborhood' is Hudson Heights? The only way I'd consider such an apartment is if it were in the best building, on the best block, in the best area and available at an incredibly steep discount over the lowest comparable sale. The layout also better be stellar."

Agreed, Kyle.

And it had better come with a Fifth Avenue address.

Personally, I don't mind the lack of views as long as there is natural light. A living room facing a brick wall would be a deal killer. However, I've learned that a baby's room facing a brick wall can be ideal -- quiet, dark, the possibility of sleeping in on Saturday. And I'd prefer a kitchen or bath window facing a brick wall to no window at all which is common.

That's interesting MeMe b/c we just moved to a place with seriously bright windows in all rooms (even baths and kitchens) and we're having a hard time adjusting. Haven't gotten around to window treatments in all rooms yet...hubby has been waking up at 5:30 with the natural light...BUT, i still think I'd take natural light that can be blacked out over no views/little light. Our views now really add to the space of each room. It's quite nice.

Thinking about buying a used submarine currently docked in a prominent exclusive Marina.
It only has screen doors.
Do you think it has good re-sale potential?

uwsmom, to be perfectly clear, I'd love to be on a high floor with sweeping views from Central Park, to either River, as well as North and South. But since most of us have to compromise on something, I'd compromise first on the lack of light in the kids rooms, baths and kitchen. I have yet to find an acceptable window treatment for our beach house that keeps the kids asleep past 6:30 or 7 in the summer. Everytime we're in the city I'm happy for the brick wall.

Sad to say, inaru816, if ALL the windows look out onto brick walls I would not accept the listing as a real estate agent, especially in this market, but probably not in any market. You as a seller would never agree to accept what it's really worth on the market and we'd both just be unhappy.

If you haven't bought this apt yet I suggest you don't unless you plan to live there til you die. If you own this place I suggest you rent if possible until the market recovers.

Best of luck to you.

{Manhattan real estate agent.}