50 Pine, 20 Pine or 25 Broad

I haven't looked at 50 Pine; I looked at 20 Pine a long time ago - I seem to recall a lot of wasted space in the hallways. 25 Broad was nice, but my issue was that there wasn't nearly enough cabinet or counter space. This was previously a rental building and I think the developer kept the same floor plans, which means you end with a rental apartment sized kitchen. I also didn't like that many of the air conditioning units were not being replaced (updated, but not replaced). Lastly, windows on the second floor where not being replaced (I think the glass was being replaced, but not the frame, so I was concerned about insulation). On the positive side, the finishes were quite nice, the common charges were low, it's in a good location (assuming you are sold on FiDI, which I am) and the building is beautiful.

20 Pine is nice. Spent some time looking there. Yeah, some extra hallway space in some units but finishes are top notch (Armani designers are bulldog perfectionists) and location is great (very close to trains--direct access to Wall Street stations and 3 blocks from Fulton St). Plus, surprising amount of light on a lot of the units. Whole East side and half of north faces open plazas. 7th floor or so clears the building to the south. Only west side is blocked off if you're not on the corner. Not bad for the neighborhood. Had an issue with 25 Broad being pretty bricked in. Then again, if you're a FiDi fan, you probably don't care about natural light so much...

I heard there are only Pullman kitchens at 20 Pine? True? Boymelgreen seems to be the developer curbed.com loves to hate. FWIW.

I'm wondering why the 20 pine sales office shut down 'til august...i heard they've refinanced a couple of times and the completion has been pushed back...any insight?

No real reason for the shut down; just focused construction in and around the sales office (e.g. the floors right above the office). Guessing the sales pace has slowed down (it is July, after all) and they're almost 90% sold anyway so probably not that huge an impact for closing for a few weeks. Completion has been pushed back, but no more than usual for new constructions IMHO. Think closings now expected for Oct/Nov instead of Aug/Sept.

If Pullman kitchens are the ones that blend into the wall (see the website), then yes, that's what they have. You can add variable size kitchen islands/breakfast bars for an additional fee (Armani-designed, of course, so it matches).

I will be very very surprise if 20 Pine start their closings this year. I pass by the building every day and I say the closing will happen next year.

I checked out both 20 Pine and 50 Pine over a year ago when they first came out and I liked 50 Pine better.

I would definitely go with 50 Pine, unless you are the flashy type who loves brands and logos. To me 50 pine has a very intimate feel and is in an awesome building. I also believe you get a ton more space for the price. Of course you dont get the amenities so that is a trade off.

Either one you choose you cant loose down in the financial district. The bulls are definitely out and it isnt the stock market.

50 pine doesnt even have a full time doorman and the common charges are higher than 20 pine or 25 broad...i can't justify the price for the lack of any amenities (gym/doorman)

Dont know 25 Broad but 50 Pine's CC is lower than 20 Pine. 20 Pine has better amenities and is a bigger building. Don't like the kitchen setups at both 50 and 20 Pine. 50 Pine has shelves and 20 Pine's kitchen is hidden away in closets. Plus 20 Pine's kitchen appliances are made for a play house (meaning small - great if you dont plan on cooking.). Maybe you should be looking at 59 John, 90 William or the new 45 John.

Additional info for 20 Pine. Floors 6, 7 and 9 are 14 foot ceilings whereas the rest have 10 feet. You will notice that windows for these floors are bigger than the rest.
Sales office closed temporarily to accomodate construction of the lobby and library area. Will re-open before the Armani people do the interior design.

So, are buyers happy?

What a bout 75 Wall?

75 Wall is VERY nice. Of much more substance than 20 Pine or 25 Broad. 20 Pine is having a problem whereby resellers and the sponsor are competing--not a good scenario.

20 pine is an older, nicer building.... not sure what "substance" is supposed to mean.

Based on what I saw, the layouts and renovations at 20 Pine seemed have been done in a "quick and dirty" way compared to 75 Wall. Of course, Armani Casa is a nice touch, but it can't cover up the layout and design problems I personally perceived at 20 Pine throughout the bldg.

My "substance" description, thus, was about the perceived thought process, time/cost/energy, etc. throughout 75 Wall. It seems to have been more thoughtfully and thoroughly designed and renovated than 20 Pine.

From the outside, sure, 20 Pine looks nice because it is less office-like.

20 Pine is well done for the large floor plates that the developer had to work with.