Open House Report: 201 West 89th Street #7G

201 West 89th St. #7G Co-op; Five rooms: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths Asks $1.299MM; Maint.: $1,604 (includes utilities); 25% Down. Trafific: Moderate-Heavy As we have discussed elsewhere, the “G” line at Chester Court is adaptable for many uses, though it's frankly ideal for none. #7G reflects the most utilitarian option for the rectangular footprint: a compact three-bedroom layout in which preparation... [more]

201 West 89th St. #7G Co-op; Five rooms: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths Asks $1.299MM; Maint.: $1,604 (includes utilities); 25% Down. Trafific: Moderate-Heavy As we have discussed elsewhere, the “G” line at Chester Court is adaptable for many uses, though it's frankly ideal for none. #7G reflects the most utilitarian option for the rectangular footprint: a compact three-bedroom layout in which preparation and consumption of food are relegated to a windowless kitchen and the modest entertaining space faces a wall. As grim as that description may seem, the owners have actually crafted a rather nice, inviting apartment from the tired space they won in a bidding war in late 2006. The emphasis here is on clean lines and efficient use of space. Doors in tight spots do not swing; they slide. A/V components nestle discreetly in walls. A viewless window bay gives way to a washer-dryer stack. A structural column is clad for seamless integration into a wall of cabinets. The second bedroom and its en-suite bath, which I suspect began life as the servant’s quarters of an Edwardian Five, have been modernized with a minimalist-cool sensibility that suits the small space. The updated MBR offers a clever wall of closets with frosted fronts. The original wood floors remain in the living room and bedrooms, and may be nearing the end of their useful life. The hall bath has been judiciously updated; the original tub remains, and is in good condition. The two main bedrooms have pleasant views of the Chester gardens. The well-equipped kitchen features an eclectic mix of brand names: a Liebherr fridge, a small Bertazonni range, a Miele dishwasher, Frigidaire Gallery washer/dryer and GE Profile microwave. The choices may have been informed by best-bang-for-the-buck recommendations, aesthetic preference, or a clearance sale on an appliance website. In any case, the renovation is sleek and, for such a stark white space, seems to be aging gracefully. #7G was previously listed with Brown Harris Stevens at a much more ambitious price. As much as I like the building, $1200/SF was a reach for a rear-line apartment on Amsterdam Avenue. Corcoran’s new ask seems to be in line with comps, including the recent sale of the rather haggard #12G for $1.2MM. For a re-listing, #7G drew a good crowd on Sunday. If the new broker doesn’t find a buyer soon, it probably has more to do with jittery financial markets than the price or the inherent merits of the apartment. http://streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/632673-coop-201-west-89th-street-upper-west-side-new-york [less]