Gilsey House

The building is so rickety. I just read on The Real Deal that a huge parcel on that block is getting torn down and redeveloped. And the policy of going to the lobby to get anyone you want to come in is a little crazy. That particular unit has a strange layout. If you really like it I would offer MUCH less.

Pretty sure the lot that might be developed is directly across Broadway from Gilsey House: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20110215/REAL_ESTATE/110219926/0/REAL_ESTATE I agree about that lobby access thing (a vestige from a different era) and remain surprised the owners tolerate it.

I have blogged about this building a bunch of times. If you Google Manhattan Loft Guy and Gilsey or 1200 Broadway you will see some detailed history and discussions, DTDWIH.

Great big apartment with great bones.
Awful, awful seedy block.
Im one to leave that type of thing lower on my list but this block makes you feel like you rode the hot tub time machine to 1990.
Add to that the building policy of you having to meet every guest/delivery at the lobby door? Forget it, unless maybe if your buying 1A.

Lousy location.
Absurd lack of amenity (like doorman) for the cost of maintenance.
Awful awkward layout: enter directly into kitchen, no coat closet, no closets at all in fact other than in bedrooms, only one window in living room, no real dining area, weirdly shaped rooms.
At this price point, I'd expect a heck of a lot more. You could get 2bdrm/2bath in AAA location like heart of GV for this kind of money. I don't get this at all.

"Great big apartment with great bones"
Yes sorry, I was thinking of the units I personally saw, 6f and 5g
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/480024-coop-1200-broadway-midtown-south-new-york
http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/493567-coop-1200-broadway-midtown-south-new-york

yeah this one wasn't so great and big. it is not the square footage they are claiming. i saw the two you saw and liked those much more as well.

Truth: don't those 2 units have bad views? It was explained to me that A and B are the best lines?

who explained that to you? the broker?

Great views of what? Panhandlers? Pakistanis selling samsonite?
In that building, all you want is light, you'd almost prefer no views.
If views are your priority, you shoul dbe looking at other buildings/neighborhoods.
THis building is for more square feet for your money as a priority.
ANd 6F and 5G blow away 7B in this regard. Look at their size and what price they sold for. In addition 12/14 foot ceilings to 7B's 10 foot even if you just want to ignore layout.

You speak the truth Truth.
Thank you

Thank you DTDWIH, but I would put even more stock in the consensus reached by all posters on this thread.

I hope this doesn't come off the wrong way, but...

The major annoyance for me is the mosque/masjid next door to Gilsey House on 29th Street. Every morning at 4:30, you hear the call to prayer blaring out over loudspeakers. Personally, I don't like being awoken every morning for the rest of my life at 4:30 a.m. Let alone multiple times every day.

And before people yell at me for being insensitive, I like sleeping in on Sundays, and don't like being awoken by church bells early Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. either.

With the addition of the ACE hotel and associated improvements (breslin, oyster bar, stumptown, etc) the area is moving in the right direction. It will take 5-10 years for a full turnaround to take place as the low-end retail gets priced out of the area.

As such, the appropriate discount must be applied to this buliding for the risk involved. For me, that would be $600sf

You don't have to apologize to point out the occasional arrogance of a religion though I understand constant bombardment by the PC police may make one feel compelled to give note and appease other people's guilt gene run amok.
Anyway this tradition miffs me today as everyone (even in Somalia) can afford a digital watch.
Agreed any church bell before noon can be obnoxious as well.