Recommended Downtown Doorman Rentals?

If you went up to $3,800, you'd greatly expand your options. I notice some really nice 1 BR's listed at $4,000 to $4,200, which mean they can be had for $3,800 or so. Haven't looked into any, i'm only checking rentals as a means of estimating how much further sales prices should fall. But I know in my own building, some really nice 1brs are being rented at a little less than $4K a month.

one of my friends lives happily at 250 Mercer

You should easily be able to find a 1br in that price range. Lots of luxury rentals in Chelsea around the mid-20s 6th-7th avenue. Here's what's available at 777 6th. We lived there for 2 years. Nicely built building, Macklowe managed
http://www.equityapartments.com/Brochure.aspx?PropertyId=3911

THere are at least 5 high rise rentals around there

Friends have been happy renting at 95 Christopher and the Printing House on Hudson. Your budget might be a bit tight for a real 1 bedroom in a doorman building. I think $3,600-3,900 will give you more choices.

Thanks - The more I look, the more I come to the realization that in the neighborhoods I am looking a $3,500 budget does not provide many choices. I would be willing to lose the doorman for a nice elevator building as well. The search continues.

Thanks for the recommendations above...

I am not sure $3k to 3.5 is unattainable:

$2,995 1-Bedroom at 184 Thompson - 600 sqf,doorman,elevator posted by broker, Prudential
$3,375 1-Bedroom at Hilary Gardens - doorman,concierge,gym,garage,elevator posted by manager Algin
$2,875 1-Bedroom at Mulberry North - doorman,elevator posted by manager, Windsor Communities
$3,495 1-Bedroom at Mulberry North - doorman,elevator posted by manager, Windsor Communities
$3,525 1-Bedroom at 100 Jane Street - doorman,concierge,elevator posted by manager, Rockrose

Likely just out of your range, but you should speak to Sol Goldman Investments which is the managing agent of 20 Fifth Avenue--one of the nicest rental buildings you will find in GV. It is at 9th St and 5th Ave on heart of the "Gold Coast". Fantastic prewar with sunken livingrooms and many apts with renovated kitchens and baths with huge closets, views in some of Wash Sq. arch and 5th ave. No fee rentals, too. Two years ago 1-bedrms were $4500 down from $4800. Don't know what they are now. Walk by and ask the doorman--he will know abailability and if you chat him up he can possibly whisper the asking price to you. Staff is A-1. Management company, like most, are total pains in the ass.

Chave you cheard about avaiable Condos at the Mandarian Oriental?

Have you taken a look at 88 Leonard?
http://rosenyc.com/No-Fee-Rental/88-Leonard.aspx

Rose, you guys don't have any apts available at 88 Leonard according to your website:

http://www.rosenyc.com/No-Fee-Rental/88-Leonard.aspx

You used to list them on your website. Or are you doing that funny thing where you don't list any apts online to make potential tenants think you don't have any inventory and then when they call you to ask about availability you say you just so happen to have one apt available? I'll bet the inventory sheet your in-house brokers have has 15-30 apts available on it. I know all of the big mgmt companies are doing this in an effort to stabilize rental prices but that it's not effective, your rents are going to head down more as summer approaches and no college or grad school grads move to NYC bc there aren't any decent paying jobs for them (banking, law, consulting, etc).

Actually 88 leonard was offering some of the best deals in lower manhattan around 4 months ago.
Don't know the story today however.

88 Leonard was fully occupied for a few weeks. There are apartments available currently...the site is updated as apartments become available and are leased.