Continental Towers - 301 E. 79th Street

No such thing as a broker that is a "friend of the family". They are justing waiting for the moment to bite.

from what i remember from a couple of friends who lived there a few years ago, they told me the building seem to be shoddily constructed, thin walls etc.

haha. unbelieveable

Hi Fitzy - my Father sold his 1BR in Continental Towers (Northern Exposure) recently. The building management is good, but there are 2 big negative things that always bothered me about this building: the "rooftop garden" is a very sad place...have you gone up there yet??? I can't even believe that brokers mention it as a "feature" of the building - I would only go up there if I was planning on jumping off the roof. And if the apartment you are looking at has those original wood floors (they are parquet crap, believe me)watch out. Those tiles pop up like crazy, it is unbelievable how they were installed, it's a sore point for lots of folks, and it will be a pain point for you, too, if the apartment ABOVE the one you are looking to purchase still has them installed. They crack and creak and pop and unless replaced with hardwood floors, continue to crack and creak and pop. There are lots of young singles and couples in the building, a few with 1 small child that I knew. There is a broker who lives in the building named Florence who basically dominates all of the listings, she has been there forever and can give you advice and comparable sales, not that I am recommending her services one way or another, although she did handle the transaction for my Dad, it's just that I am currently selling my own co-op (NOT in that building, just to clarify, Continental Towers is a condo anyway) and I decided to go the FSBO route, my personal preference. I just wanted to mention her name because you stated that you have friends & family who are brokers and they are "panning the place" so you might want to find out what listings she has that are not 11% over the 3BR you were offered. Your original post was 4 weeks ago, apologies if this reply out-of-date for you, curious though to hear from you with a current update if there is any.

Anybody with any recent feedback on this building - the apartments here do look very reasonably priced.

Any recent feedback about this building...There are several recent vacancies and curious what the reason may be.

I would like to know more about living in the building. Floorplans look very useful.

well i have live there for over 5 yrs, its not the most luxurious but its manage well, they are putting in a new gym also

Walls are kind of thin so you can hear your neighbor's TV or music if loud enough. Is noisy on 2nd ave so it may take you a short while to get used to it. There are some floors where some residents smoke a lot of pot. When the elevator opened up a few times you can smell the herb flowing through.

Building is kept well and the space is decent. Hence still living there.

Ahahaha!!

"but there are 2 big negative things that always bothered me about this building: the "rooftop garden" is a very sad place...have you gone up there yet??? I can't even believe that brokers mention it as a "feature" of the building - I would only go up there if I was planning on jumping off the roof."

This is the building that gave birth to the 'better fix your terrace' craze.

This is Florence Sommer with the Corcoran Group. I have lived in Continental Towers over 25 years.
I can tell you that from my perspective, it is a great building. The apartments are spacious for the square footage and the building is maintained extremely well. They have just spent $250,000 renovating the elevators and another %500,000 putting in a gym. Extremely low common charges, pretty much the lowest on the Upper Eastside. Great financials. As far as the roofdeck is concerned, I am not a sun worshipper, but I know people love going up there during the summer or just to see the magnificent views at night with a drink. Used to love watching the fireworks up there till it was moved to West side.
Staff is fabulous, always very helpful. Over time, people have made money with the apartments. It is a great neighborhood with subway only 4 blocks away, crosstown bus, and limited stop on downtown bus on second avenue. Gourmet food shops and regular supermarkets. Lots of restaurants, shops and anything else you need.
If you have any questions about the apartments,building or the area please feel free to either call me at 917-846-2572 or email me at fsommer@corcoran.com

I've lived in the building for 8 years. First 4 as a renter, and then purchased in 2008 (at the peak of the market, sigh.). I love living here; neighborhood is fantastic. After getting married, I put my apt on the market (FSBO) but wasn't able to get the price I wanted. Brokers kept calling and low-balling and constantly asking for price cuts even though mine was priced fairly. Eventually, I got tired and rented it out to a girl and her roommate. Super glad I didn't have to sell. Now, I've got those same brokers offering me the price I was asking for. Too little, too late, too bad.

does anybody know how long it takes its association to waive the right of first refusal?

i am searching for a reasonably priced 1 bedroom oondo on the UES. This bldg seems to be conveniently located and have low common charges. What are some pros and cons of the bldg?

This is Josh Lieberman with Douglas Elliman. I was a former resident of Continental Towers from 2003-2009 and absolutely loved the building. The management and staff were a pleasure to work with and see everyday. Extremely helpful on a daily basis. I have seen most if not all of the lines in the building and can tell you from first hand experience that they are extremely spacious and unique, a great buy! The lines with balconies, corner units, and combined units stood out the most to me. I have seen some pretty amazing upgrades to the building for example brand new elevator system as well as a brand new state of the art fitness center. I also noticed a newly designed rooftop garden with plenty of space to lay out in the summertime or have a drink at night and enjoy the 360 degree views. My partner and I currently have Penthouse 37AS on the market for sale. A beautifully renovated two bed two bath that could easily be converted to a 3 or 4 bedroom. For a private showing please email me at jlieberman@elliman.com or if you live in the building and would like to discuss what we think your apartment is worth we are happy to meet with you in person. Can also be reached on my cell at 917-414-8280. Clarafrank please email me privately so I can answer any questions you may have in regards to the building.

lol, no infomercials please.

nice staff - hallways are in dire need of renovation - $2M in reserve fund - no renovation of hallways! lobby is dated and old ladyish - elevator doors are not closing - walls are thin - but if you renovate you can put soundproofing in.... roof garden is nice... the freight entrance and laundry room area is very institutional and dreary and needs a paint job and renovation - security guard hiding behind scratched plexiglass - then, of course, there is the question of cleaning - does not seem clean - from elevators to elevator doors to grating and of, course, the freight entrance!

roof garden is nice; little gym room ok... board of managers is some old guy who has been on the board forever and refuses to spend money to fix up the place ---

jojosmith - i disagree with your opinion - I have been living in this building as an owner since 1994. Clearly you weren't here when they did the renovations of the hallways - where they scraped the ceilings of the popcorn mess of the eighties - which was done within the last five years floor by floor and we were living here - and that didn't tap into the reserve.

They are always taking care of the building. With that said every time the building does something to enhance the building it is well thought out. Not for just the investors in mind who rent the apartments out but the owners who live here. Remember every renovation that is done - we have to live through....So the undertaking is just as complex. The building has done some amazing things -take for example the new gym. I am not on the board nor am I speaking on behalf of them - I am speaking as a long time owner here.

They just put all new machines in the laundry room two weeks ago - and there are enough machines to support the over 500 units - this building has. Again without tapping into the money that is in reserve - I would prefer that they not touch the 2 million in reserve -unless it is necessary. The building's financials are solid and the staff is excellent.

Hi, I'm thinking about renting here but really hate noise. I am concerned about two comments above - the creaky tiles and noise from the street. Is this the general consensus of people living in the building? Building is gorgeous!

Mr. Skiddles ---- You must be a broker or on the board. I lived in the building for many years --- The hallways need to be redone; as does the lobby ----- board keeps saying they are doing something but they never do! The members of the board include the commercial owners who have no desire to spend any money on the building --- the "freight" /dog entrance is disgusting as well as the stupid signs that are put up by the managing agent ---- they should be framed like is done in other buildings. The building used to be spotless ---- not any more!

I am familiar with the popcorn ceiling removal ---- the board didn't bother doing asbestos testing on the popcorn, probably exacerbating people's asthma problem. They started on the upper floors ---- where the board members live --- meanwhile the rugs and hallways and lobby is still disgusting....

Hello, does anyone know what a renter can expect as far as initial condo fees for the building? Thank you

$3600 for fees

what kind of fees .. . . . management , application , move-in ???

I am looking to buy a 1 bedroom and hoping to buy directly from a seller. Please do reply if you are interested in selling, I can close very soon but can also wait. very flexible!

I am looking to rent a 1 bedroom and recently noticed how many 1 bedrooms are listed in this building. Is the vacancy due to the $3600 application fee? Is this fee applicable to all units? Why are the fees so much higher in this building compared to others?