avery

We bought in the Avery, and have no regrets. Obviously, the building is not finished yet though.

Pros: 1) Real estate is all about, location, location, location. It fronts Hudson River Park with forever protected views and is 2 blocks from Lincoln Center, 2) Really nice amenities (Abigail/Michaels concierge, private screening room, billiards room, library, gym, entertainment suite, private park, etc.), 3) Extell is a superior developer, 4) the interior finishes will be really high end (Sub Zero, Miele, Water Works, etc.), 4) it is in a really great school district.

Cons: 1) although fairly priced in this market, it is still a lot of dough, 2) Riverside Drive/Blvd. is extremely windy (although quite refreshing in summer, it can be brutal in winter), 3) there is no pool.

Like I said, we have no regrets at all so far and cannot wait to move. Which unit are you considering?

No easy answer here...looks like a solid building demanding high, but market appropriate, prices.

Couple things to consider:

1) Will you be making great use of the ammenities, because they will be an ongoing expense and paid for in your common charges.

2) Are there currently tax abatements in place and if so what will your taxes be when the abatements expire.

3) Is the premium you are paying for new construction worth it and will it retain value when compared to the predominately pre-war condos and coops in the UWS, five or ten years down the road when you are ready to sell?

we were looking into 3P - need a two bedroom . Even though two bed is small we think we can fit two kids in there if need be (we only have one now). We are staunch upper west siders living in the heart of it now on 79th and amsterdam and I worry no restaurants/services in the hood yet...

We went through a similar thought process. I am a staunch upper westsidder, but my wife prefers UES. We also have one child (16 months old). The restaurant/services really are not that far. In any event, every place delivers. Plus you can't beat living right across the street from the park. The views are incredible too.

Another plus is that the Avery and its sibling the Rushmore are not Trump buildings with all that gaudiness!

Just curious, do people not really care that the Avery (and the other buildings around it) are close to some pretty crappy public housing and whatever that huge municiple building is on the water?

#8 you may be mixing up the Avery with another building. The Avery is at 65th and Revierside. There is no building (small, huge or otherwise) on the water there. The AVery is close to Lincoln Towers the luxury co-op complex and immediately south of the Trump buildings. The nearest public housing to there is about 7 or 8 blocks away. I think that you are thinking about the new buildings going up on WEA called the Element and Ten West End. Both of thos are close to the public housing complex and the municipal building that fronts the Hudson on 57th St.

You are right that Element and 10 West End are closer to the public housing complex. I was thinking more of those buildings, but Avery is not that far away (about 700 feet as the crow flys). That complex is, afterall, right next to Lincoln Center. I am certeinly not saying that is a reason not to buy as so much of Manhattan is reasonably close to similar complexes, just wondering what people thought of the location in general.

from one staunch westsider to another... I hope we are making the right decision. Which unit di d you guys take?

In response to public housing comment- I do think there is a housing project on Amsterdam around 63rd street- But I am hoping that area will gentrify around it given the massive construction going on. Plus I actually do some work for the housing authority and that particular project is really low crime comparitively speaking.

This is poster #5. We are buying a 2br unit too. Our unit is in the H line in the lower half of the building directly facing the river. If you decide to make the purchase, we should exchange e-mail addresses. As for making a right decision, I certainly think so. However, do I expect to flip my apartment in a couple of years for 1/2 million dollar profit, no. Do I expect to live in a great building in an apartment that I really enjoy and make a little money when I eventually move, yes. However, I not viewing this as much as an investment but as buying a place where I want to live that has the potential for upside.

BTW, I agree with pros and cons noted by poster #2, and would add that there are two more pros: 1) the developer is handling the sales in such a way that is encouraging more resident owners and fewer speculators than in many new developments and 2) to answer #3, there is a 421a tax abatement.

One more con - that elevated highway is a bit of an eye sore - unless your apt is above it..

This is poster #5 again. Our apt will be above the highway. The highway is interesting though. All apartments above, I think, the 5th floor clear it. Just out of curiosity and for perspective, we went to an open house on a comparable floor in one of the Trump buildings to see what a similar view offered. Looking down on the highway was sort of fascinating in a way. In any event, there is talk about burying the highway under the park, which will only increase the value.

The Avery is just plain expensive. For less money, you can get more interior space at 10wea or the Element. The housing complex is equally a pain. There is also a 421a tax abatement in those new developments. Once Extel develops the parking lot in that area, the upside will be significantly greater as well. They are definitely worth considering before your sign at the Avery. I am not a broker but also considering a purchase among the Element or 10 wea.

Poster #14. There are also other factors to consider. For instance, the Avery is in a much higher rated school district than either the Element or 10 WEA and the Avery fronts a park and has forever protected views. In addition, who knows, when or how those parcels will be developed.

Gee, two blocks from Lincoln Center says it all, doesn't it? And you're across from the park. Enjoy!

Have you looked at the prices at the Avery? Individuals in that price category should be able to send their kids to better schools, private better schools. So, the school argument is garbage. As for Lincoln Center, do you really go to Lincoln Center that often? You must be a broker or someone with a vested interest in the Avery. I am not. I don't care where anyone here buys, I am simply suspicious of any poster that pushes any building too much.

Poster #17, why the vitriol? The school argument is not garbages, as that can factor into the value of a listing (have you noticed how listings in places as far flung as Tribeca and the UES tout also tout their school districts at much more expensive digs?). Lincoln Center is not just opera. Not only does it have many many indoor performance spaces, it also has a ton of outdoor activities: dance at Lincoln Center, the Big Apple Circus, craft fairs, etc. etc. In addition, the current renovations, which are opening up the complex to the west, will only make it more accessible. I believe, though am not positive, that Corcoran is the exclusive sales agent for the Avery, the Rushmore, 10 WEa and the element. In any event I am not a broker. Furthermore I do not see how I was pushing "too much." I merely explained why I purchased and why I thought that it was a good purchase. You are the one who seemingly feels that it is overpriced. Fine don't buy there then, it's not for you. But it is you who are seemingly denigrating my choice. I feel that it is more than worth the price, and given the rather high number of sales, apparently I am not alone. I made posts number 5, 13 and 15, BTW.

from poster #1/4/10- we are about to sign and I agree that the Avery is a good deal all things considered. Of course there are pos and negs to all real estate. When buying in nyc you have to prioritize. A little less square footage was worth being more uptown and in a better school district. To poster 17: We cannot afford private school, but could afford a low floor in the building-- and the school district totally influenced our decision!! I am thankful for everyones responses to help us reach what we think is the right decision.

Avery was a top contender for us too, but we found a better deal in Murray Hill and for us that neighbourhood is more convenient. Friends have bought in Avery and are very excited. Compared to other devs in the area (south of Avery), Avery falls under a good public school district.

This is the fellow staunch Upper Westsider - congrats on the purchase! We should compare notes as the move in date comes closer. Also you should check out the Wired New York bulletin board, as they have building specific threads: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28

Hi neighbor
we did it!! thx 4 link. Feel free to email me anytime-- (maybe we can playdate in the building, if playroom is finished when we move in- I have a 10 mo.) jillzlaw@yahoo.com

Hello neighbors,

We also bought in the Avery and we can't wait to move in. We love the neighberhood. We are not the least concerned about the projects, they are close buy, but I live in the neighberhood now (Rental in Trump building) and I never had any issues. No kids yet, we will be living on third floor. Looking forward to meeting our new neighbors. My e-mail is kucic@aol.com. I also think that anyone who buys in the building will automatically be a strong promoter of the building and nothing is wrong with that. Has anyone spoke to the sales office to get an expected move in date. They told me around October but that was almost a year ago. The building is progressing so quickly.

Hello neighbors,

We also bought in the Avery and we can't wait to move in. We love the neighberhood. We are not the least concerned about the projects, they are close buy, but I live in the neighberhood now (Rental in Trump building) and I never had any issues. No kids yet, we will be living on third floor. Looking forward to meeting our new neighbors. My e-mail is kucic@aol.com. I also think that anyone who buys in the building will automatically be a strong promoter of the building and nothing is wrong with that. Has anyone spoke to the sales office to get an expected move in date. They told me around October but that was almost a year ago. The building is progressing so quickly.

Take a look at: http://www.nycondoblog.com/?p=109