"White Glove" Buildings Downtown

IIWY, I would live in the Mercantile. You might want to give a call to Fionn Campbell, a broker who specializes in the building.

If you want to check out a bunch of different buildings, I'm happy to help by acting as your rental broker. I hate when people say brokers are "free" because I think we're very expensive (and worth it), but at this point the rental market is pretty soft, so landlords are largely paying the tenant broker's commission.

ali r.
Upstairs Realty

> I hate when people say brokers are "free" because I think we're very expensive (and worth it), but at this point the rental market is pretty soft, so landlords are largely paying the tenant broker's commission.

Definitely sounds like it's worth it.

It seems very hard to find "white glove" building downtown. Still looking....

Did you look at 45 east 22nd St or 212 5th Ave?

Both 45 east 22nd St or 212 5th Ave don't have any rentals available right now. We are looking for a 2 bed/2bath downtown with doorman and concierge and "white glove" services. The closest buildings we have found to this are Chelsea Stratus (don't love location), Grand Madison and Morton Square (too far west).Any other suggestions of "white glove" buildings downtown? Thanks.

Do they actually wear "white gloves" ?

@uptowngirl, I believe that 30yrs mentioned the "hot" new buildings 45 East 22nd and 212 Fifth Avenue in response to your appetite for luxury, but AFAIK they haven't had closings yet, so you can't rent in them because no one is living in them. I believe he was simply gently pulling your leg.

ali r.

I am not sure what qualifies as white glove, but a friend of mine lived in 280 Park Avenue South 15 years ago and it was fairly full service. It also has a pool if you were so inclined.

uptown, Check 300 Mercer. When I lived there the staff was willing to do extra. It is a fully staffed building but not high-end luxury as it is a post-war rental. Talk to super (Pappas) and he will tell you what is possible.

This one might fit your needs:
http://streeteasy.com/building/50-gramercy-park-north-new_york/park-12b

"Only 23 residences, 50 Gramercy Park North offers the services of the adjacent Gramercy Park Hotel. Enjoy the benefits of home ownership - including a key to the park - with all the amenities of the 5-star hotel including housekeeping, room service, gym, concierge service, massage and spa services, catering services, babysitting services, pet walking services, valet parking and access to the hotel's rooftop garden, meeting rooms, and much more."

Also a bunch of rentals from 30 Park Place. They share services with the four seasons hotel I believe
http://streeteasy.com/building/30-park-place-new_york/43b

please leave NYC

45 East 22nd and 212 Fifth Avenue sound like good options. Do you when people will start moving in?

Not sure when move-in dates are but you might want to contact the sales agents, let them know you are looking to rent and ask if they have made sales to investors who will be renting out the units and you can get a first shot at the listings before they even come on the market.

Uptown girl, What is the max you want to spend?

Max is probably $9500.

9500 is a bit light for a 2/2 super luxury. Have you considered the outer boros or Hoboken or Jersey City?

Forget 45 east and 212 fifth. They will rent at $10 per sq f per month and the apartments are very large at least 1500 sq ft for a 2 bed room. For a 2 bed at least 15k. Focus on Related building, 300 Mercer Building and suggestions from Ali.

Here is an example of the largest 2 bedroom apartment in 300 Mercer. Related 2 bed rooms are much smaller but better finishes and the same price. You can get whatever services you needs in 300 Mercer including Parking garage in the building.
http://streeteasy.com/rental/1866863

300 doesn't get it. She wants luxury.

Do you work or live at 300 mercer, 300_mercer? Which related buildings are you referring to?

I used to live there many years back. Found that service was very high if you wanted to pay extra. "Related" Caledonia and Tribeca Tower and many others downtown.

For example, they had a tailor, dry-cleaner, cleaning service, handy man and live-in super on site. Shoe repair place in front of you. Garage at the bottom. At least two people on duty in the middle of the night. During the day at least 3-4 available at any time.

In case, you have not looked it up yourself.

http://www.relatedrentals.com/apartment-rentals/new-york-city/chelsea/the-caledonia/available-apartments/2-bedroom-2-bath-28333

You may want to consider getting Ali to help you as the landlords seem to be paying the renter's brokers now.

In case you missed it.
http://streeteasy.com/talk/discussion/42072-300-mercer-avoid

Thanks 300. I haven't worked in a lot of Related buildings downtown, partly because Related generally doesn't like big dogs, which my clients often have, and partly because their buildings are pretty Far West -- just in terms of location I'd prefer the Mercantile over either the Caledonia or the Tate, for better subway access, but I don't know OP's transport needs... that may not matter to her.

If Far West Chelsea is not undesirable I would probably look at the Tate, since it's a little bit of a glam clientele building, and it sounds like she'd like that. To my point about rents being soft and there being a lot of current concessions from landlords, Related does seem to be doing a nice Equinox cross-promotion, though I guess that presumes you're not an Equinox member already.

In general landlords seem to be paying broker fees and offering free months and other concessions now-- I think that's a confluence of ordinary seasonal softness with an overarching slump for rentals.

ali r.

>Related does seem to be doing a nice Equinox cross-promotion,

150 a month to use their gym is not a concession.

What about the Related's Westminster? Anyone familiar with that building? It seems like a great location. I don't like far west chelsea.

I find people's definition of luxury amusing, maybe because of my privilege. Related buildings, Glenwood buildings, etc. are great, but not a single one of them is my definition of "luxury". So then throw on the term "white glove", what a disconnect ... it's like you want a white shoe law firm and are considering Cellino and Barnes because you see them a lot on TV.*

I have friends who have lived in the building, and I've been over there quite a bit. All of them said great things about the building and the staff. Apartments are updated as tenants move out, so they remain fresh. As a visitor I always found the front door and desk staff polite, and the lobby is well maintained, if a bit bland. Were I looking for a rental, I'd consider it.

That gas station was one of the last in Manhattan to give free air. After they closed I think it was only the Hess on 10th Ave and 46th St and the BP on Houston and Lafayette. I remember when everyone in 155 - 165 West 20th facing South would say "Oh, they're never going to build anything there".

Oh the good old days. Thanks 30yearsago!