Lincoln Towers

The place does not look like a very good deal. Pulled up the cheapest studio available (http://streeteasy.com/building/lincoln-towers-170-west-end-avenue-new_york/18l), and it requires 120k down. And the monthly payment would be $2409. I'm surprised that someone with that type of money would actually want to live in the place.

You're paying for the shrinking yet overcrowded school zone. I've heard of turn downs there before but for large units.

You can buy a sponsor owned unit. You will not need board approval.

Ellen Silverman
Licensed real estate broker since 1987
Ellensm@ aol.com

The apartments are very nice. I've had a few friends living in the complex over the years. HOWEVER, the sponsor owns everything that could be considered commercial along with the open land. That's why we didn't buy in there years back when prices were lower. We couldn't get a straight answer on whether the land could be built on.

I was approved and moved in not too long ago. How did your board interview go?

I lived in Linciln Towers for about 13 years. I liked it there, but unfortunately Trump blocked my view and I left. I don't see how it is possible to build on the existing open land. I wouldn't worry about it..

Great neighborhood, nice grounds, but there are issues with washing machines and pets from what I hear. And of course there's the history of living where 'West Side Story' was filmed.

And if your unit does not directly abut a park or river, don't count on the view.

I'd be concerned about any building where they even allow pets in the washing machines.

"I don't see how it is possible to build on the existing open land. I wouldn't worry about it.."

You never know, look at Parkwest Village on 97th Street. The tennis courts that ran from 97th to 100th Streets on Columbus Ave., from the 1960's through the 2000's were torn up and replaced with rental buildings.

I don't see how it is possible to build on the existing open land. I wouldn't worry about it.."

That's what one owner said.

And then THIS happened: http://www.lifeedited.com/innovative-19th-century-tiny-apartment-designed-out-of-spite

Anyone ever find out why the board declined them?

18L was declined buy the board

Just a conspiracy theory: The apartment obviously needs renovation and the board may have thought the person's finances were marginal to pay for it.

I'm hesitant to weigh in since I've never sold in this building (though I do sell the UWS), but I've always heard that this board likes strong post-closing assets -- more than you'd expect for an average postwar.

ali r.
broker, upstairs realty

ali, by strong as 3+ years, or does that just you can't be short on the typical 2-year guideline? Of course I mean generally since no one speaks for the board.

Real Estate NY, when the tennis courts were razed there were no coop or condo buildings there. The open land by Lincoln Towers is too small for anything.

Right, the four Park West Village condos had no ownership interest in the lots along Columbus. They stayed under-developed, with the just the tennis courts and some retail, only as long as it made sense for the owners.

At LT, the sponsor kept the air rights for the four LT cond-ops on the east side of WEA and for the new condo at 200 WEA. The sponsor then used those to build the new rental building (Aire?) at the Amsterdam corner.

I don't know whether the sponsor has done anything with the air rights for the four LT cond-ops on the other side of WEA.

Oops, got my building-counts wrong. There're five LT cond-ops on the east side of WEA, and three on the west.

pier, I've always gotten the impression that it's the former .. but I'm really talking out of my hat as I've never sold there. My advice for potential buyers would be to quiz the listing agent on what the board might be looking for.

Call me a crazy Californian, but I just don't understand how anyone living in such a gorgeous city as New York -- with all its magnificent architecture and prewar buildings -- would want to reside in what looks like a cross between public housing and a detention center. Those buildings, despite a great location, would depress me to the point of suicide. Just don't get it -- low ceilings, thin walls, cookie cutter layouts -- the list goes on.