NEW YORK CITY — Living in a historic district has its perks: beautiful architecture, regulated development and, often, grand-feeling apartments. These three pre-war co-op units are all within New York historic districts.
828 Gerard Ave., #5D, Grand Concourse
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Co-Op
Approximately 600 square feet
$185,000
Maintenance: $393
Open House: Sunday, Aug. 23, 3 - 5 p.m.
Lowdown: This one-bedroom is within the Grand Concourse Historic District, which is known for its main boulevard lined with historic co-op buildings.
A long foyer leads to an open kitchen and living area, which is large enough to fit a couch, desk and small dining room table.
The bedroom, which is roughly 13 by 11 feet, has two closets.
“There's lots of storage and organization throughout the apartment,” said Halstead broker Marjo Benavides.
One big downside? It's located on the top floor of a six-story walk-up building. But, as Benavides points out, the affordable price has been appealing for first-time buyers.
“We're seeing lots of interest from first-time buyers because it's a much better alternative to renting,” said Benavides.
While the apartment retains its original hardwood floors, the seller modernized it a few years ago, upgrading the kitchen, bathroom and electrical work.
Location: Within the Grand Concourse Historic District, the pre-war co-op buildings create a very residential atmosphere. But Benavides points out that there's been some commercial growth in the typically quiet area. A bakery just moved in a few months ago, she said, and there are a few sports bars that cater to the nearby Yankee Stadium.
The building is only two blocks from the stadium and its surrounding parks. The 161st Street/Yankee Stadium 4 train is the closest subway, but you are also within walking distance of the 153rd Street MetroNorth train stop and the Grand Concourse 2, 4 and 5 station.
Why put it on your open house calendar? Besides the low price of the apartment, there's “the incredible maintenance fee,” said Benavides, who noted that it is much lower than the average New York co-op.
76-12 35th Ave., #6J, Jackson Heights
1 bedroom / 1 bath
Co-Op
Approximately 800 square feet
$359,000
Maintenance: $838
Open House: Sunday, Aug. 23, noon - 2 p.m.
Lowdown: The Jackson Heights Historic District is another distinguished by its beautiful co-ops. Here, the buildings are known for their expansive interior courtyards.
This one-bedroom unit is located at the Warwick, built in the 1940s.
“There is a courtyard, but it isn't a rambling green space like the other Jackson Heights co-ops,” said Brown Harris Stevens broker Helen Van Rhyn. She said there are four tables and some landscaping for residents to enjoy.
The perk of this corner unit, on the top floor of a six-story elevator building, is most apparent in the bedroom, which has two different exposures and gets plenty of light.
“It feels more like a big living room than a bedroom,” said Van Rhyn.
Although there's only one bedroom, “This apartment has the square footage of a two bedroom in most places,” added Van Rhyn, noting that the foyer is large enough to use as a small office.
Pre-war details include hardwood floors, arched doorways and built-in shelving.
The sellers, who have been there are 13 years, “kept it in pristine shape,” said Van Rhyn.
The kitchen has been upgraded, although it isn't a brand new renovation, according to Van Rhyn.
Location: Despite the hustle and bustle of nearby Broadway and Roosevelt avenues, this historic district is distinguished by a low-key, quiet atmosphere. You're still within walking distance of a weekly farmer's market, the main drag of Little India along 74th Street, and the bars, cafes and restaurants along 37th Avenue.
The co-op is about four blocks from the neighborhood's main subway hub, where you can catch the 7, E, F, M and R trains.
Why put it on your open house calendar? The top floor means, “you get great light, and you don't have any neighbors jumping over you,” Van Rhyn said.
588 West End Ave., #12A, Upper West Side
2 bedrooms / 1 bath
Co-Op
Approximately 1,100 square feet
$1.55 million
Maintenance: $2,160
Open House: Sunday, Aug. 23, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Lowdown: This two-bedroom unit is located in a 17-story, 63-unit building built in 1922 and converted to a co-op in 1980. The surrounding neighborhood, which is protected by the Riverside-West End Historic District, is a mix of larger apartment buildings, townhouses and historic churches.
The apartment has retained some of its pre-war detailing, including the high beamed ceilings, moldings and original hardwood floors. But the seller, who has lived there 26 years, added big upgrades.
The apartment now has features like central air conditioning and a washer/dryer closet.
A wall was removed to open and enlarge the kitchen, which was renovated with new cabinets, appliances, and lots of storage space. “There's a double oven, which is unique to a two-bedroom unit,” said Compass broker Shirley Hackel.
“With the renovations in place, you can move right in,” she added.
There is ample storage throughout the apartment, including built-in cabinets near the windows, extra storage under the kitchen's breakfast bar, and towel shelves in the master bathroom. There are also two closets per bedroom, plus a large coat closet in the entryway.
Location: It's hard to argue with this apartment's proximity to park space. It is within one block of Riverside Park and within four blocks of Central Park. It's also a block away from the commercial drag of Broadway. The closest subway station is the 86th Street 1 train. About a 10 to 15 minute walk away is the B and C station at 86th Street.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “It's hard to find a prewar unit of this size with all of the modern upgrades,” said Hackel, listing the central air conditioning, the open kitchen, the extra storage and washer/dryer hookup.
