A question for the Upper West Siders and brokers on this board... Are there any nice buildings on the UWS with SUNNY studio lines? I've been on the lookout for an alcove studio (could also be a 1BR, though I know it's a stretch at my price point) that gets lots of sunlight, and it seems to be really tough to find! I've seen tons of apartments--in rental buildings, condos, co-ops, you name it--and... [more]
A question for the Upper West Siders and brokers on this board...
Are there any nice buildings on the UWS with SUNNY studio lines? I've been on the lookout for an alcove studio (could also be a 1BR, though I know it's a stretch at my price point) that gets lots of sunlight, and it seems to be really tough to find! I've seen tons of apartments--in rental buildings, condos, co-ops, you name it--and have found quite a few with everything I'm looking for...except for light. For instance, I loved layout of the "J" alcoves at the Melar, but the line faces another building and is incredibly dark. My main reason for moving is to get out of a dim, interior-facing apartment, so lack of natural light is an immediate dealbreaker for me.
My wishlist: Upper West Side (hopefully below 96th), 450+ square feet, elevator, attended lobby, lots of sunlight, and a view of something other than a brick wall. Renovated kitchen and bath would be a big plus. If I end up paying a broker fee I'd like to stay in the $2000-$2350 range, but I'd go up to $2500 or so for a no-fee apartment. My move date is flexible.
I am working with a broker whom I like very much, but I thought I'd reach out for some suggestions on here as well. Any leads are appreciated!
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Response by NYCMatt
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7523
Member since: May 2009
You're not going to find anything like that south of 96th Street. If you really can't go north of $2500, you'd better start looking north of 125th Street.
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Response by julia
over 15 years ago
Posts: 2841
Member since: Feb 2007
there are many sunny alcove studio apartments available below 96th street in your price range...check out 372 cpw, 382 cpw, 400 cpw.
PMG, it's funny you pointed this one out. I've actually been asking my broker to get me in to see it for about a week now, but he told me that he checked and it's interior-facing. Any chance you've seen it in person?
I do like the building--I looked at the recently rented $2350 1BR there, and loved the size/layout, but it was on the 4th floor facing a parking garage, and got very little sunlight. I keep hoping that something facing Broadway will open up!
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Response by PMG
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1322
Member since: Jan 2008
I've been in that building a couple of times, and you are right, only the south facing units are sunny. Your difficulty in finding a starter-sized unit in a coveted sunny exposure is easily explained. Most studio units are located on low floors or face north to allow larger units better views or sunlight. If you find a alcove studio with a view or sunny exposures on the UWS sign immediately. They are rarely available.
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Response by BklynChick
over 15 years ago
Posts: 10
Member since: Jul 2010
Studios at Lincoln towers are typically alcoves with very wide windows, separate kitchen, dressing area and tons of light (http://www.lincolntowers.com). However, these are coops and available as rentals only through owners, so I'm not sure how you would go about finding an apartment there.
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Response by PMG
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1322
Member since: Jan 2008
Yes, lincoln towers makes sense as a recommendation. As does Park West Village, though not south of 96th st. Both were recommended but SE doesn't show a single sunny alcove studio available for rent at these monster developments.
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Response by uws1279
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7
Member since: Oct 2010
PMG, you're SO right! I passed up a $2300 6th floor rental at the Walton which had two bay windows and lots of light. It was early in my search, and the place had been hastily renovated with no real closet space (just rolling armoire-type units that took up way too much of the floor space) and had a smaller kitchen than the one I currently have in my straight studio. In retrospect I probably should've jumped and figured another way around the closets, but I guess that's the whole "hindsight is 20/20" thing...
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Response by PMG
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1322
Member since: Jan 2008
The Walton is a little noisy on Columbus Ave and it's a little dated, but the location is really great. You should have grabbed it.
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Response by uws1279
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7
Member since: Oct 2010
Yeah, true story. I've been in a dark studio for a couple of years now and am absolutely dying to get out, so I think I'd actually take a little bit of noise if it meant I'd get some sunlight! (And I'm not really picky about the dated-ness of a building, as long as it is clean and nicely maintained.) I've seen a bunch of apartments that have everything on my wishlist EXCEPT sunlight, and I'm sure I can go the other direction and get a small-but-very-sunny studio. I naively thought that upping my budget about $600 from what I'm currently paying would get me space AND sunlight, but that does not seem to be the case...
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Response by PMG
over 15 years ago
Posts: 1322
Member since: Jan 2008
no studios are steerage class, generally sun-starved, viewless abodes. If you get sun, or view or quiet or good condition, you are way ahead of the game.
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Response by NYCMatt
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7523
Member since: May 2009
" I naively thought that upping my budget about $600 from what I'm currently paying would get me space AND sunlight, but that does not seem to be the case..."
Add a zero, M'dear.
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Response by uws1279
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7
Member since: Oct 2010
Add an extra zero to my paycheck and I'll consider it :)
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Response by front_porch
over 15 years ago
Posts: 5320
Member since: Mar 2008
would the "B" line at the Bromley fit your needs? It's an alcove line that faces east .. I don't see anything currently available though.
Ali R-
I've been reading through lots of the posts on these message boards, and your replies are consistently polite and very helpful. I can't figure out how to send a private message on here, but do you have a company e-mail address where I could contact you directly? I'm getting pretty frustrated with this whole apartment search, and really think I need a fresh opinion and perhaps some advice on a new approach. I'm wondering if you might be able to help me out, or refer me to somebody who can?
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Response by julia
over 15 years ago
Posts: 2841
Member since: Feb 2007
PMG...i don't know how you do it but you always come up with great apartments..i know this one is for uws1279 but it looks great...
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Response by front_porch
over 15 years ago
Posts: 5320
Member since: Mar 2008
thanks uws!
I can be reached at ali [at] dgneary [dot] com
please put "streeteasy" in the subject line so I can find it.
ali
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Response by uws1279
over 15 years ago
Posts: 7
Member since: Oct 2010
Thanks Ali! I'll send you an e-mail later tonight.
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Response by bashmore
over 15 years ago
Posts: 8
Member since: Nov 2007
Open house today Sunday (12.30 - 2.30 pm) at:
155 W 68 St #2020
Holy fking crap that 1bdrm is well priced. Another way to look at it is, $1300/ month to carry a $500k one bdrm. Holy cow, no fee on top of that. Nycmatt, yeh you gotta go above 96th? Flmazo. Therez you go Julia, why would you buy now versus renting the $2,300 for 2yrs, while the studio/1bdrm tank?
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Response by PMG
about 15 years ago
Posts: 1322
Member since: Jan 2008
Gosh, generic apartments in NYC are depressing; that is one reason to buy, w67.
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Response by nshipley
about 15 years ago
Posts: 125
Member since: Jun 2007
The Broadmoor at 235 w 102 has sunny, south facing studios and one bedrooms and they are generally well priced. The building has a very pretty sunroom and a full time doorman as well...
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Response by bramstar
about 15 years ago
Posts: 1909
Member since: May 2008
You could try one of the newer high-rise rentals like West End Towers.
You're not going to find anything like that south of 96th Street. If you really can't go north of $2500, you'd better start looking north of 125th Street.
there are many sunny alcove studio apartments available below 96th street in your price range...check out 372 cpw, 382 cpw, 400 cpw.
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/685603-condo-215-west-95th-street-upper-west-side-new-york
PMG, it's funny you pointed this one out. I've actually been asking my broker to get me in to see it for about a week now, but he told me that he checked and it's interior-facing. Any chance you've seen it in person?
I do like the building--I looked at the recently rented $2350 1BR there, and loved the size/layout, but it was on the 4th floor facing a parking garage, and got very little sunlight. I keep hoping that something facing Broadway will open up!
I've been in that building a couple of times, and you are right, only the south facing units are sunny. Your difficulty in finding a starter-sized unit in a coveted sunny exposure is easily explained. Most studio units are located on low floors or face north to allow larger units better views or sunlight. If you find a alcove studio with a view or sunny exposures on the UWS sign immediately. They are rarely available.
Studios at Lincoln towers are typically alcoves with very wide windows, separate kitchen, dressing area and tons of light (http://www.lincolntowers.com). However, these are coops and available as rentals only through owners, so I'm not sure how you would go about finding an apartment there.
Yes, lincoln towers makes sense as a recommendation. As does Park West Village, though not south of 96th st. Both were recommended but SE doesn't show a single sunny alcove studio available for rent at these monster developments.
PMG, you're SO right! I passed up a $2300 6th floor rental at the Walton which had two bay windows and lots of light. It was early in my search, and the place had been hastily renovated with no real closet space (just rolling armoire-type units that took up way too much of the floor space) and had a smaller kitchen than the one I currently have in my straight studio. In retrospect I probably should've jumped and figured another way around the closets, but I guess that's the whole "hindsight is 20/20" thing...
The Walton is a little noisy on Columbus Ave and it's a little dated, but the location is really great. You should have grabbed it.
Yeah, true story. I've been in a dark studio for a couple of years now and am absolutely dying to get out, so I think I'd actually take a little bit of noise if it meant I'd get some sunlight! (And I'm not really picky about the dated-ness of a building, as long as it is clean and nicely maintained.) I've seen a bunch of apartments that have everything on my wishlist EXCEPT sunlight, and I'm sure I can go the other direction and get a small-but-very-sunny studio. I naively thought that upping my budget about $600 from what I'm currently paying would get me space AND sunlight, but that does not seem to be the case...
no studios are steerage class, generally sun-starved, viewless abodes. If you get sun, or view or quiet or good condition, you are way ahead of the game.
" I naively thought that upping my budget about $600 from what I'm currently paying would get me space AND sunlight, but that does not seem to be the case..."
Add a zero, M'dear.
Add an extra zero to my paycheck and I'll consider it :)
would the "B" line at the Bromley fit your needs? It's an alcove line that faces east .. I don't see anything currently available though.
ali r.
DG Neary Realty
If you're willing to face east, this studio might get morning light depending on how high up it is. It only has one window, but it is a large space:
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/691507-condo-155-w-70th-st-lincoln-square-new-york
Ali R-
I've been reading through lots of the posts on these message boards, and your replies are consistently polite and very helpful. I can't figure out how to send a private message on here, but do you have a company e-mail address where I could contact you directly? I'm getting pretty frustrated with this whole apartment search, and really think I need a fresh opinion and perhaps some advice on a new approach. I'm wondering if you might be able to help me out, or refer me to somebody who can?
PMG...i don't know how you do it but you always come up with great apartments..i know this one is for uws1279 but it looks great...
thanks uws!
I can be reached at ali [at] dgneary [dot] com
please put "streeteasy" in the subject line so I can find it.
ali
Thanks Ali! I'll send you an e-mail later tonight.
Open house today Sunday (12.30 - 2.30 pm) at:
155 W 68 St #2020
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/rental/703856-condo-155-west-68th-st-lincoln-square-new-york
South-facing 1-bed $2,300 and no fee - see description for details.
Kitchen not renovated but everything else good per your wish list.
Basil (broker)
Holy fking crap that 1bdrm is well priced. Another way to look at it is, $1300/ month to carry a $500k one bdrm. Holy cow, no fee on top of that. Nycmatt, yeh you gotta go above 96th? Flmazo. Therez you go Julia, why would you buy now versus renting the $2,300 for 2yrs, while the studio/1bdrm tank?
Gosh, generic apartments in NYC are depressing; that is one reason to buy, w67.
The Broadmoor at 235 w 102 has sunny, south facing studios and one bedrooms and they are generally well priced. The building has a very pretty sunroom and a full time doorman as well...
You could try one of the newer high-rise rentals like West End Towers.