building at 30 West 60th Street

And who in his right mind would ever prefer to live just off Central Park, and a very short walk from Midtown offices?

Alan, you? office?

alanhart: Well, the prices do reflect the location, which the bridge-and-tunnel crowd [possibly not used to walking, even short distances] seem to think is an ideal location for a studio [which my daughter was seeking]. But, who is his right mind wants to face 60th St, with ambulances blaring through the night?

It's an easy-going door. Security guard behind a counter, so you just "Hi. Going to the doctor." as you walk on by. I'm sure they'd tighten it up if there'd been burglaries or anything.

A fancier building, e.g. 15 W 72, has all the doctors give a list of appointments to the guy behind the counter, and he makes sure you're on it.

One of the best building around. Amazing 2 acre garden, new massive gym, and located near Central Park and Columbus Circle. The same block as Whole Food and Time Warner Center. Very close to theaters, Lincoln center and Carnegie Hall. Some of the finest restaurants in NYC are within a couple of blocks. Just the best. Lincoln Towers is third rate, not comparable, and far from the subway system.

Can those units facing garden also hear noises? How about Mount Sinai West's ambulances?

Ambulances are on 10th ave. I like the area. In my opinion, it is probably the most underpriced area (along with 57/58th west of 8th avenue) on the Upper West Side relative to convenience and proximity to central park, Time Warner, Lincoln center and subways. Noise will depend on the windows. You can always get cityquiet windows for 10-20k expense.

I live nearby. Near perfect location for someone working in Midtown but too commercial for my taste. High traffic area, mucho tourists. Not traditional Manhattan living IMO.

A pre-war on a quaint West 70's side street east of Broadway would be a better value IMO. I have been looking there for a small one-bedroom pied-a-terre.

Ximon, Will significant development on West side in 56th to 60th Street change the area to more of a neighborhood? I was surprised to see Fika on 55th and 10th and heath good restaurant on 56th and 10th. In my opinion, critical mass is now there for 9th avenue. 400 West 57th will be the final improvement, whenever it is completed. Any info on that?

The Windamere at 400W57 is still looking for a variance I believe. Little to no work is being done. Approved for SRO or multi but they want to do a boutique hotel. One of the problems with W57 between 8th and 9th is that it is not zoned for commercial overlay so no stores, restaurants or bars permitted. West of 10th is changing quickly and will be a nice area soon enough but too far from subways for me to think of it as a true Manhattan neighborhood. Reminds me too much of Battery Park City. VIA seems a nice project but only a rental and seems very isolated. Don't know what they are doing with the waterfront there. Between all the car dealerships, TV studios, Lincoln Center, John Jay, Fordham, as well as all the new rentals and poor quality of existing mid-block residential, this area very unattractive and any development will be infill and mid-market, relatively speaking.

Maybe its me but I find all this far west side development very unattractive except for High Line. Other than value, I am not sure why anyone wants to live there. But in time, area you describe will definitely become more residential and desirable.

Sorry I meant West 57th between 9TH AND 10TH AVENUES is not zoned for commercial overlay so no stores, restaurants or bars permitted.

Thank you Ximon. Good info on 400 West. Collegiate is moving there and Heschel has moved there in the last few years providing a draw for families. 1 West end is getting restaurants and other amenities which will improve the area. Subway is little bit of a walk from 11th but many people forget that the subway is on 8th avenue as is Time Warner which is very short walk till 10th ave.

Re: 400 West 57th, here is an excerpt from a Community Board 4 letter to HPD from June 2011:

"Due to a history of harassment, the owner of the Windermere is legally obligated to develop the property in compliance with the Clinton Cure for Harassment, irrespective of the legal settlement with the remaining tenants. The Clinton Cure requires 28% of the floor area of the current building (or 20 % of the floor area of the building to be developed, whichever is greater) to be developed as permanent low income housing. The current floor area of the Windermere is approximately 85,000 square feet; the Clinton Cure will amount to approximately 24,000 square feet. The low income housing must be built on-site with a Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)- approved Administering Agent. An additional provision of the Preservation Area of the Special Clinton District requires 20% of the units to be two bedrooms or larger."

Obviously, this is a problem for the planned hotel conversion and, in fact any conversion IMO.

Thank you. They paid only $13mm for it. I guess they can have a poor side.

300_mercer, does cityquiet windows be installed inside exterior windows? Need co-op board pre-approval?

Yes. Co-op board are unlikely to say no. Just call citiquiet windows about general coop policy and check with the managing agent about policy. I can not imagine a board saying no.

300_mercer, thank you very much! Never knew such windows before.

Just noticed that there is a church across street, opposite of the building. Does anyone can share your experience about that church? If the church bell rings every hour throughout the whole night and you will be wake up by the bell? If the church provide funeral service? Thank you!

Yes they do weddings and funerals.

Thank you very much Stache!!!

Does anyone know if the church rings every hour 24-hours a day or only during the "day" and what hours that is?