The Charlston - I'm thinknig of buying an "E" Line ...

Here we go...

RCIN - Here's a link to a discussion of The Charleston already in progress on Streeteasy:

http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/talk/discussion/2718-the-charleston-time-for-a-lowball

Just closed on an E line last week. Great apartment. So spacious and bright with plenty of light and terrific views. One of the best layouts I have seen anywhere. 34th street is very busy and you are next to the tunnel exit but it is still very quiet. Not sure how many E lines are still available, 16E was available last Friday. The building has 24 hr everything and the people are all nice. You even get a 25 sf storage area in the basement. There are a few doctors from NYU living there and the commercial space on the ground floor has all been purchased for NYU doctor offices.

csn - do you know if 421A is in effect at the Charleston?

As far as I know the 421a is in effect. Have not hear anything different and escrow for the taxes was at the reduced rate.

CSN- thanks for your insight on the building.

I wrestled for a while with propect of buying an E-Line. I've seen most of the New Construction in the city, and I never liked anything more than the E-Line. The floorplan is awesome in my opinion, and except for the kitchen cabinets, I found the finishes to be top notch.

But here is what killed it for me. Once the taxes are blow out(end of the abatement), you are looking at taxes oif 2k per month and comman charges around 1700. Those carrying costs are going to be a tremendous pill for a new buyer to swallow down the road when they realize that an older unit has common charges less than half that.

Gluck75 - thanks for your input... However, couldn't that case be made for current day condos vs. Co-op's, essentially something always gives. Price, amenities, space, light, etc... It's very difficult to forecast what occurs in 15 years once abatement is expired on a building.

isn't the abatement for ten years?

Welcome new buyers. FYI- the kitchen cabinets are top quality from germany.

the Kitchen cabinets look like and fell like crap. They fell look and fell like a laminant prodcut of some sort. If that is top quality form Germany, I would rather go to ikea and find something !!
Think about this. The building is having a very diffucicult time selling out for obvious reasons and cocerns (tunnell, busy street), when you factor in what the taxes are going to be, like gluck said, new buyers are not going to be rushing in! I kind of feel bad for those that have bought here !

You are entitled to have an opinion, I am happy with my apartment and nbhd. I think if they priced it at 1500/sq ft they would have had an easier time!

rcin - if you really are still interested in the E-Line there are some tips I can give you that may save a few dollars and give you the scoop on some items the salesman are unaware of. Drop me your email.

what about the H line - there is one three bedroom left on the 20th Floor. It's come down quite a bit to 2.075m, from 2.3m something. Lay out looks quite amazing, but the monthly's are high.

ERN - did not see the H line on the 20th floor. Can tell you that it has windows on three sides, waterview and very bright. It was out of my price range. The monthly are at $1 sf which is not bad, it is a large apartment. The layout does look very good. Has been on the market for awhile and they have dropped the price $300,000. I am sure you could do better.

Csn - it's rcin@juno.com... Thanks again