Any opinion on in the west village

santaoct,

the west village is the most resilient of all areas downtown. reintroduce yourself to the broker and see if you can find out what the seller's intentions are. try to find out if they are itchier to sell at this point or if they are just dangling bait. see if your initial offer holds any water at this point in time. if they don't engage, and you are really in love with the place, raise to 8% off ask and see if they will at least talk. good luck

u are going to be sooo annoyed living on a 6th floor walk-up! you can get something for the same price on a lower floor!

i've lived in walk-ups and after a while it is horrible...doing laundry, bringing up pkgs., going to work and then forgetting something and having to go back up..

I have debated this point with others on this board, but I believe the WV is holding up better than some other places. Nevertheless it is coming down and all indications are that it is going to come down further. Unless you need to move or are in love with this particular place, my advice is to wait it out. Even there, prices should come down below 900, especially 6th floor walkups. Actually, even if you need to move wait it out and rent there. The neighborhood actually varies a lot block by block if you are not totally familiar with it already.

Be very careful buying a 6th floor w/u. I have been around long enough to know that they become "rental units", in a marginal sales market. Even in the WV.

As far as the neighborhood goes I love it and do most of my biz there! My (1st) wife went to nursery school there in the 60's and our kids went to school there in the 80's, so I have been around quite a bit. Any questions feel free to shoot me an email, seriously no strings attached. I love the area and love talking about it and would be happy to give an opinion on a property. keith@theburkhardtgroup.com

Great thanks for all the comments, I have to say the 6th floor walk up is the main issue for me. My feeling is that the buyer bought the place in late 2006 close to the peak, spent according to the seller broker 100K fixing the place and now is upside down. I think my offer was a bit bellow their 2006 price, still I am sure upgrades or not I shouldn't have to pay above the late 2006 price. I also think that I might have been their first offer, perhaps by now they received more low ball offer and are willing to entertain a slightly better offer from my side.

In my opinion, sixth floor walk-ups should not be priced at $900 sf in this market. Don't perpetuate his mistake of overpaying. Something better is sure to come along soon.

santaoct,

6th floor walkup is a big problem. here's the thing: personally i don't mind a high floor walkup, but most people do, and you will have a hell of a time selling that place when the time comes--as this guy is finding out. if you don't mind walking up so many flights there is a great option for you: rent a 6th floor walkup. seriously. you can get a really great deal on a high walkup rental and if it doesn't bother you then you'll enjoy it and not have to worry about losing your shirt when you have to sell it. why do you feel the need to buy?

absolutely....do not buy a sixth floor walk-up...the only thing worse would be a basement. as noted above, you will eliminate a large segment of potential buyers and if you get stuck with it, the walk will get longer and longer as the years go by. friends may come over once..maybe twice and then never again.

One factor that I did not mention is that although it is a 6th floor walk up it has a washer and drier on the unit. That's the good thing since having to go down and up 6th floors is a pain. but I agree if I am having issues with the fact that it is a 6th floor walk up, I imagine that when I sell I will have some serious problem too. I still think that since January prices have continue to come down in Manhattan and I cant see why the west village should be any different. I love brownstones and I am partial to them, but at this point if anybody could show me a good value in other parts of Manhattan I will be very interested.

Is this unit on Charles street per chance?

You should really re-think a 6th floor walk up. Deliveries are a nightmare: food, furniture, appliances, UPS. No one wants to bring heavy things up 6 flights. You have to pay a premium, and usually the item is banged up by the time it gets there it's heartbreaking. Also, the top floor of these older buildings is more prone to roof leaks (melting snow, heavy rains), I'd go up and take a good hard look at the roof before considering an offer, and have an inspection as part of the purchasing offer.

Also, take it from someone who lives in a 3rd floor walk up. Your knees change over 20 years! My knees can't take it anymore. There is a cumulative wear and tear from all the schlepping of groceries. Then, kids and formula and diapers! In the market, you are buying this long term - so really think about future life changes, etc...

This is the unit in question

http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/365411-coop-211-west-10th-street-west-village-new-york

it's a beautiful apartment and a fantastic location. honestly, if it were being offered for rent at, say 2500 per month, i'd say why not go for it. i don't think you want to lock yourself into owning a 6th floor walkup unless you get it for a truly incredible price, like 450k.

I spent 2 years spending 1/2 the nites each week in 6th fl walkup in the group of buildings that includes 85 Barrow. About as charming as you can get. Here's what I learned first hand:

Plusses: Top floor; very nice for quiet and amazing light in the low-rise Village. Views across rooftops was very romantic and classic idea of what GV was/is. Cute apartment for a single person too--because it was a true one bedroom it had appeal over a studio in an elevator building or on a lower floor; the trade off was walking up, but the space was better for the price and I like the two rooms over studio living. Even on days I didn't make the gym, I got a little exercise.

Negatives: Everyone hated coming to visit, for drink, for dinner, to stay the weekend; parents had hard time with stiars; forgetting something upstairs or in the car sucks; luggage, laundry, moving little things--all became things to think twice about and not fun. My dog had to be carried (he's little) because the stairs took a toll on his back. Food deliveries included higher tips; furniture, TV, etc deliveries always included surcharges. I was very much a grown up and not a kid when I started staying there (my b/f's place) and by the time he moved a couple years later, I was 100% over the walk-up thing. He is younger and still didn't really mind it, although he seems to really be enjoying the doorman/elevator lifestyle these days-not sure he'd go back to the old way if given the choice.

Resale: GV will sell better or as well as any neighborhood in NYC in any market. Walkups in the WV have appeal to wealthy NYU students whose parents are buying, new comers to NYC, people who always fantasized about living in GV. That said, it better be a knock-out walkup with the plusses I outlined and then some: excellent protected views; great light; good layout worth the walk up the stairs; great street and location; building with outstanding finances; building with reasonable board that allows young people to buy with parents since that is large part of the buying-pool. There is very little room for compromise on these things if you are taking on a 6th floor walkup because the walk alone will severely limit your pool of prospective buyers.

Do a search of 85 Barrow--the address that comes up will be different, but that is because it has multiple addresses for each entrance (like London Terrace). It is the type of place I'd at least consider if I were you. Because the smaller the building the greater the financial risks, I'd 100% not consider a brownstone or building with fewer than a couple dozen apartments.

Yeah, I know I been considering that too. there are other apartments in the west village at a similar price range that are also pretty nice.

Do not raise your price. Lower it and make another offer if you really want this place (My wife owned a 5th floor walkup on Charles St when I met her, no way would I buy a 6th floor walkup). The seller will likely come back to you with your original offer, in this market.

Personal opinion: Central Village (B-way to 6th, north of Wash park, south of 13th) is a much better area. Better transportation, better walking access to other nice areas (EVill, Soho, Chelsea, Gramercy. Go doorman white brick. Fair prices, better quality of life. You can look at pretty townhomes as you walk to the latest restaurant. No need to live in one as a walkup.

Lower your price and make another offer. Two months later, thats worth at least another 5-10% drop.

We did well on a 5th floor that we renovated on the UES. There is definitely a market for buyers of walk-ups, albeit smaller. That is a very young and European part of the city which will make it easier when it comes time to sell. All of the cons that Kyle pointed out are very real though. I still remember my wife throwing my keys or cell phone down to me on many occasions so I wouldn't have to walk back up to get them on my way out to work. My gut on a GREAT deal for that place would be around 600K, not a penny more. What the buyers paid or put into it is immaterial to you. Anything more than that and you are taking a risk. There are great deals to be had right now for 600K so don't settle.

Thanks guys that a lot of help, I found another place in Barrow street that I will check this Sunday. Better priced actually smilar price to what I offered for the 6th floor walkup. since I am in the market for a one bedroom at 600~650K no more. Still I apreciate the input.

I have been cross-selling against this at $519K -- I have a street-level unit, but it's got a WBFP, and there's a common garden for the air/light factor.

check out www.731greenwich.com

ali r.
{downtown broker}

In Europe (indeed, in most parts of the world), many middle-class people would think nothing of buying a walkup. I have a Parisian friend (a university professor with a solid job) who has lived in a 6th (French 5th floor) walkup since the early 1990s with whom I used to frequently make summer swaps (she works on American literature and culture). She and my other Parisian friends used to say that one reason we Americans were so fat was that we insisted on talking cars and elevators everywhere. I would dread going back and forth the first three or four days, but by the end of the first week was oblivious to the stairs-- or embarrassed when I was overtaken by some 70 year old grandmere carrying two bags of groceries!

I saw the apt at 731 Greenwich. If you think you'd like living in a dungeon, it'd be perfect for you. Otherwise, you couldn't pay me to live there. I'd be miserable.

It is easy to be "oblivious" to the stairs until you break your ankle one day and can't get home for 6 weeks. Or suddenly loading the car for the weekend requires the resolve it takes to go to the gym for a workout. Or going grocery shopping requires a strategy session first to figure out which errands you can't/can also run so as to not overwhelm your arms. Complicating it is that most walkups don't have doormen so you can't just leave things in the lobby for "the next trip" up.

And FWIW, I think you are out of your mind buying a street-level apt. Talk about a negative charm/resale factor. Yeah, there may be exceptions, but honestly, in this market why would you buy something with such compromises? Don't start out behind the eight ball--be patient, become an expert in your market niche, and you'll find the perfect place with minimal compromises.

Kylewest: As usual a witty well informed post. I will disagree about the NYU students, in my experience most parents want them in a doorman building. Hence that hideous building 184 Thomson did so well.

In this market why would someone pay $900psf for a 6th floor walk-up...why not rent and see where the market goes.

kylewest, I actually disagree with you here. Everyone has to make compromises on the apartment they buy to some extent, and if a walkup is something you don't care about, it can be a great way to get something you do want, like more space. Sure, you expect a discount for it, because the average person doesn't want it, and it will be harder to resell, but if you get the discount, it can be great for some. That said, it's definitely a personal thing, and I would highly recommend renting in a walkup before buying one. Sure, you might think you are athletic and won't mind, but if it turns out you do, you're going to come to hate your apartment. That said, I lived in a walkup for 4 years and never really minded (thank you Fresh Direct) so I would consider buying a walkup as long as the discount was appropriate and I was getting other stuff I wanted.

The walkup was the 5th floor, btw.

I'd call back with a lower offer...no 'hood is immune to the destruction that is happening....I can't imagine the appeal of a 6th floor walk up with no outdoor space/ roofdeck....

here is a nice price chopper in the west village

http://www.streeteasy.com/nyc/sale/356058-condo-325-west-13th-street-west-village-new-york?email=true

wishhouse,

given that he's seen the apartment and says it is a 6th floor walkup, we should probably take his word for it. you don't forget 5 flights of stairs. all walkups are not created equal: personally, i'd have no problem living on the parlor floor of a townhouse, or up to the 3rd floor of a walkup. the paris example is very helpful, and let's remember that in non-elevator buildings in paris the 2nd and 3rd floors are far, far more valuable than the 5th and 6th. if you don't mind a long walk up, why not just get a good deal on a high floor rental and save yourself the headache of a difficult sale later on.

that said, i have to vociferously dispute the idea that you should move into a white brick building. under not circumstances should you even think of comparing a beautiful prewar building in the west village with a white brick monstrosity on the totally ugly village avenues (7th is particularly attrocious, but 6th is bad as well). if you want to live in that sort of place, go for it, but i assume that if you are looking at walkups in the west village you value very different things from the sort of person who buys in a white brick building that should never, ever have been allowed in the village in the first place.

the only post-war buildings in the village to consider are the butterfield house, which is out of your price range, and 2 5th avenue because of the location and some great views. but even 2 5th i would stay away from. it just doesn't feel like the village to live in that kind of building.

santaoct, if you love it and want to live there, why not?
There's a lot to be said to having a home you love.
Transient psychology did us in already.

you have nothing to lose by trying!

nothing to lose by trying? umm, he has A LOT to lose by trying. he has his hard-earned equity to lose, not to mention all the debt he'll be taking on.

beholder, evidently he doesn't 'love it and want to live there' enough to pay what they want him to pay. isn't that the whole point of this thread?

hr, if he doesn't, he doesn't. Obviously he loves it enough to consider re-contacting the sellers.

beholder, so what exactly is your advice? that he not weigh all of the various financial and personal factors to come to the best possible decision, but instead just pay whatever the sellers want him to pay because he likes the apartment?

happyrenter, i think maybe you haven't had all your coffee, yet, and overstate things a tad. I agree about white brick. Nothing charming in those buildings. None are less appealing than those on 6th and 7th in my opinion, too. But for village charm, I think a number of the red brick central village buildings are quite nice and harken back to an aesthetic of the 1950s full of nostalgia, modern layouts, plenty of light, some nice architectural details of the mid-century in the exterior and lobby designs. Definitely not the aesthetic ne plus ultra of the prewars, granted. But places like the 6 story high red bricks on East 9th between Broadway and University and some on East 8th St. are nice in many ways.

I don't mean to get into pre- vs. post- war. I mean only that to say "the ONLY post-war building" to consider is Butterfield House may be a bit too extreme.

hr, my only advice is the opposite of what you put in my mouth.
I suggest that, after seeing if he can afford it, he treats it as his home. The one he'll be putting his personal touches in and enjoy. Home. You know?

again, what is your advice? he doesn't own the apartment now so he can't put personal touches into it.

6th floor walk up, looks nice but not AMAZING...he'll be calling it home for a long, long time, IMHO.

kylewest,

i did not say, nor do i mean, that those are the only postwar buildings for anyone to consider. if you have a limited budget, want to live in the village, and need or highly desire a doorman, then postwar is the only option. my point is that anyone considering a 6th floor walk-up in the west village is most likely someone with a strong desire for an apartment with charm and architectural interest. the only charming and architecturally interesting postwar building in the village is the butterfield house. i take it back: the two original towers designed by richard meier are interesting, but they are also out of his price range.

i'm not going to get into a prewar/postwar debate again either. my point is that since his preference is obviously for prewars he would be foolish to move into a cookie-cutter postwar building.

"if you have a limited budget, want to live in the village, and need or highly desire a doorman, then postwar is the only option."

It depends how much space you need, really. There are a bunch of studios in 2 Horatio Street (a charming prewar co-op which sort of "annexed" a postwar building, so the co-op contains both genuine prewar units and faux prewar units) that IMHO are reasonably priced, and the building certainly has a reputation for lovely service.

BTW to the haters on 731 Greenwich: about 20 people came to see the "dungeon" today, and many of them admired the lovely garden.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

kyle, happyr - Oh, come on. Are you saying that 101 W 12th (John Adams) is a pit? I think with a service staff, elevator, some light and a decent price per foot, you have a higher overall quality of life there per dollar than in a 6th floor walkup.

obviously 101 west 12th is not a 'pit,' but neither is it lovely or charming. i don't endorse the 6th floor walkup, but neither do i think his only other option is to buy in an unlovely postwar building on 6th avenue that is not his style. it's just an apples to oranges comparison.

front_porch, i was assuming he wanted a one bedroom. certainly there are prewar studios with a doorman in that price range.

your listing at 731 greenwich has a garden?

731 Greenwich has a common garden -- the co-op is composed of six townhouses, so you have to exit the apartment to get to the common space -- but it's big and has a table, bbq, a place for bikes, etc.

The apartment itself is definitely small and first floor -- but I guess I took a little umbrage at SUCH a negative description! WBFP, for heaven's sake.

I owned in 101 West 12th/the John Adams from 1999 to 2001, and I loved it, but I can see how it might not be some people's cup of tea. Also -- less fun to be on 6th and 12th than further West, I think. The Avenue feels a little corporate.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

ali - "corporate"

Maybe the recession will take care of this! You know, some rents drop. Some new business takes a chance. That sort of thing.

I would stop blasting listings that your interested in on Street Easy forums, and would start working with a real estate broker fom one of the top firms to answer are all these questions you have. Real Estate in New York City is very competitive, keep your the apts that you are interested to yourself. I would hate for you to have to negotiate against another buyer it will make things much more complicated and bid up the price to asking or above.

The kitchen and bath are really nice, but the wood beams and paneling are tacky. Sixth floor walkup is a deal breaker. If you are fit, you won't mind in your twenties and thirties or even your early forties, but your knees will not be as forgiving in your upper forties or fifties or beyond. Why buy something that EVERYONE grows out of? I have an older friend who has been in a fifth floor walkup rental for many years. He can't really afford to move, but now he is in his fifties and it is sad that he leaves his garbage in the hall rather than dispose of it in a timely manner to avoid the stairs. This guy DREAMS of living with an elevator. Don't do it.

oh, and if you really dig tourists, drug addicts, perverts and celebrities, than the west village is perfect. most everyone grows out of a interest in those as they get older as well. Look uptown, its cheaper and the parks are better.

amateur, why you have to get all hateful? we're just having a nice little conversation here. save the hyperbole for stevejhx's threads.

cherrywood...your posting was wonderful but the apartments I've stayed in Paris also have washer/dryers which makes life easier...Also in Paris people tend to shop for food daily so they're not carrying so many bundles..but it reminded me of happy times in Paris..thanks.

I forgot prostitutes from the list.

The take away I had with 101 West 12th is that the ceiling height is ever so slightly lower than 'average'. Just enough to make give off a claustrophobic vibe. I never considered the building again after viewing one apartment. Deal breaker. IMHO

Kyle, I'm not being hateful, I just am saying when I was younger my tolerance for everything the west village attracts was a lot higher than it is in my older years. When I was younger, I saw the west village for what it was and found it intriguing. I suppose people have to go somewhere to buy their sex toys and drug paraphernalia.

I think you are not really talking about the reality of life on Barrow and Commerce Streets. There are not prostitutes or the other things you talked about. If you want to brand an entire neighborhood with what you don't like about a particular corner or block, that isn't really constructive. The UES has an area known for prostitution--so no one should want to live there because of that? Tour busses go by the Dakota--that makes CPW bit? Come on. I think you are being a little extreme.

amateur - Are you from New York or Idaho?

sex toys, drug paraphernalia and cupcakes. I forgot the cupcakes! Relax, Kyle, you know there is a bit of truth to what I am saying, but it is all in fun.

amateur, you just don't know new york.

decorative, low ceiling heights are the curse of those 50s and 60s buildings.

I agree that if parks are your biggest priority, you should not live downtown. Actually, you should not really live in New York. I hear Utah has some big ones.

HappyRenter & Front Porch I thought you both have spoken favorabally in the past about some village post war white brick bldgs. Brevoort East, Georgetown, Sheridan Stewart House. Although they don't have the charm of Pre-war they have amenities and services some people want.

NYCDreamer, you're not wrong. I would have stayed in the John Adams at 101 West 12th if I could have afforded it (breakup forced a sale) and I have been coveting Stewart House for ten years at least, ever since we lost a one-bedroom that was priced around $300K (sob!) because a competing buyer offered all cash.

Positives for the 60s white bricks are great closets, big rooms, big windows, and generally, a high level of service.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

FWIW, technically Brevoort and Brevoort East aren't white brick--they're yellow.

i have not spoken well of white brick buildings, no. but i certainly acknowledge that some people like them and more power to them. the brevoort is not white brick, as kylewest rightly points out. i don't like it, either.

The Brevoort East is for you if you appreciate Vegas-style Italianate painted murals, parquet wood floors, low ceilings, countless old maid neighbors with cats and a lobby area that even Donald Trump would consider "garish."

Thanks for the input. Any comments on the Stewart House of the Georgetown. I'm looking for city views. Thanks

the only other comment I would make is that any high-down-payment building is going to take a while to get out of when you exit, so be sure you love what you get.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

front_porch - we both know that 731 Greenwich is very small. It's a one bedroom in name only. It's not even 500 sf. The kitchen is the size of a linen closet and cannot fit a full fridge. You can barely receive any light at all from the street facing windows (which are also nearly impossible to see out of unless you are standing up directly next to them, since the bottom of the sill is so high up. The other windows face a gross air shaft. Thank god the apt has a working brick fireplace. You'd need to use it so as not to become so depressed from the lack of light that you'd start having suicidal ideations. And it's really lame of you to try to offset the negatives of the apt by emphasizing the (admittedly) very nice shared garden (which is not viewable from, or connected to the actual apartment. (if I remember correctly, you have to leave your apt, leave the building and walk down the street 10 feet and renter a different building to enter the garden area. Why not just walk to a park and get some sun and do some people watching.) You need to lower the ask for that to $250,000 to even get interest. How many bids have to gotten at ask?

The West Village was and may still be the best neighborhood in the city, IMHO. It's unfortunate that Marc Jacobs has attempted to overtake and brand the best of the WV as his own and that Bleecker Street above Christopher is now a mall where you just happen to be able to purchase dry cupcakes. Waiting for the mall to be enclosed or preferably closed.

Wasn't there just a survey talked about in the Times about how NY'ers who live in GV are the happiest lot in NYC? Maybe it is those supposed sex shops, celebrities and prostitutes that accounts for it if Amateur is right, above. But I don't think so. All I know is I live in GV (central) and I'm a very happy person.:)

When I read that WV/GV residents are the happiest in NYC and people in Morrisana are the least happy my thought was "so much for the adage that money can't buy happiness". I suppose it can't but I suspect this survey is evidence of a strong correlation.
I grew up on the block pictured in the Times article and owned there until last year, still I had to look at the picture for a good two-three minutes before I recognized it it. That part of the West Village has become "precious" which I suppose appeals to some people but I for one prefer a more diverse environment, including some grit and maybe some ugly buildings but without tourists shopping, gawking and lining up for cupcakes. Fortunately, I found such a place, just a few blocks away in Gramercy Park/Union Square, plenty of pretty houses; lots of real life as well.

You are so lucky, lizyank. I can't tell you the horrors I have to deal with walking by all these people ... shopping ... and eating cupcakes! Just horrible. I didn't realize that I could see real people by just walking a few blocks in the other direction! What it must be like!

The cupcake people are annoying.

And frankly I don't think they taste that good--I like Crumbs better.

My S.O. has been bringing home Crumb's cc's of late, not a big fan. Best kept secret in the village as far as cupcakes go; the red velvet at S'nice.

I must say that one advantage of the CV over the WV is the lower cupcake to person ratio. :)

Crumbs fan here! Though I do get a hankering for Magnolia every now and then (mostly when I walk by)..I usually feel nauseous by the time I'm finished devouring it. Actually same thing happens with crumbs...so I stick to the minis!

heji - The Brevoort East is for you if you appreciate Vegas-style Italianate painted murals, parquet wood floors, low ceilings, countless old maid neighbors with cats and a lobby area that even Donald Trump would consider "garish."

Oh, please, it is in perhaps the best location in the entire city. If only these buildings had built more classic 7 layouts and fewer studios. I guess families didn't live in them back in the day.

I was told by a friend who was in the pastry program at the FCI that Magnolia's CC's frosting is mostly Crisco...Good night

Crumbs totally rocks (although it is completely evil and I struggle to avoid it as much as possible). The cupcakes are delicious, its never crowded and the at least at Union Square it seems like most of the customers have 212, or at least 718, 914, 516 or 201 area codes.

Crumbs is cool. The Brevoort East has nice layouts and I actually like something about the exterior, but the lobby is without question hideous and stuffy old lady-ish. Those murals! My gosh! Were those ever not awful? Still, some of the views and light in the apartments as low as 6th Fl. And location is prime, too. Like all NY RE, you gotta take the good with the bad. None is perfect. And what was that ClintonB spasm before on the boards? Weird.

burk - magnolia cupcakes taste like flour topped with crisco and yet, they're still good until bite 3 or 4...

Speaking of the Brevoort East, if anyone wants a deal on a 3 br there, I have a relative selling one who I will convince to take the first bid from a Steeteasier, no matter how low. :-)

happyowner,

no one disputes that the brevoort is a fantastic location. but the location is no better than that of the lovely buildings that surround it--1 5th, 30 5th, 33 5th, 40 5th, etc. etc. it is a great location but an ugly building. and the ceilings are depressingly low.

as for the west village, bleecker street between 10th and 12th has become precious and touristy, no doubt about it. too bad because it used to be great. but let's not act as if the whole neighborhood has become a tourist trap. west 4th is fantastic, as are many of the side streets, with plenty of real people and plenty of life. i will admit, however, that i am less convinced than i once was that the west village is the best neighborhood in the city. i've been spending a lot of time in fort greene, and i must say, it is pretty fantastic.

I lived in Forte Greene for a few years just as it started being "discovered", we watched and enjoyed all the new restaurants and shops sprouting up. The park is wonderful and the tennis courts a real plus. There really are some spectacular homes,wonderful blocks with large trees-and walking to BAM:priceless!

One disclaimer I always give to Manhattanites considering crossing the East River: Make sure that your social base is in Brooklyn. If all your friends are in Manhattan, especially if they are uptown, you probably won't be happy.

So what is the deal with 160 Bleecker, aka "The Atrium?" It appears to be a large, stately, historic full service building featuring, as the name suggests, a large interior courtyard. But apartment rentals there seem to be dirt cheap- I saw a decent sized studio up for grabs there at $1650. What's the lowdown on this building? Everything about it appears to be prime, so why is it so cheap?

HappyRenter... Granted the 5th Avenue pre-wars are fantastic but too pricey for me. I'm new to NY and new to this board and am looking for feedback about full service central village buildings maybe with balcony and city views like the Georgetown, 40 e 9th, and the Stewart House. Any others? Thanks

The Jefferson at 55 E. 9th is excellent, so is Randall House at 63 E. 9th and the St. Mark at 115 E. 9th (which just paid off it's underlying mortgage and had a maint decrease.)

Thanks for the help. I'll check them out.