MANHATTAN — Given the unseasonably warm weather, it's especially appealing to live right next to a park right now. These three apartments — one-bedrooms that could potentially be converted to two — all within walking distance to popular parks.
134 N. 10th St., #3L, Williamsburg
One bedroom/One bathroom
Condo
Approximately 700 square feet
$825,000
Taxes: $167 a month
Open House: Sunday, Dec. 20, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Lowdown: The third-floor condo is located in a three-story, walk-up brick building that has two units per floor.
Because it's an older building, the apartment retains the original wood floors and has a decorative fireplace in the bedroom.
“It's a nice slice of the old school,” Compass broker Eugene Litvak said, calling this one-bedroom a “really interesting apartment in a neighborhood that's well known for its high rises.”
He described the unit as a “good old-fashioned floor-through." The living room and bedroom are on opposite sides of the apartment, with a kitchen and office in between.
The office, according to Litvak, could be converted into a second bedroom, although the space doesn't have a window.
The owners, who have lived here for four years, outfitted the modest kitchen with new cabinetry. The space also includes a breakfast bar.
“With all the luxury prices in Williamsburg right now, this apartment is appealing because it's more affordable,” Litvak said.
Location: Bedford Avenue and Berry Street, which hug the building, are filled with bars and restaurants. McCarren Park is two blocks north, and is known for its Olympic-sized pool in the summer and ice rink in the winter. The park also boasts playgrounds, baseball fields, dog runs, basketball and tennis courts.
The closest subway stop is the Bedford Avenue L, three blocks south.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “If you're looking for a two-bedroom option, this price in this area of the neighborhood is rare,” said Litvak, who also added that the historic charm of the apartment stands out from the “cookie cutter floor plans” in newer developments.
400 E. 90th St., #8A, Yorkville
One bedroom/one bath
Approximately 648 square feet
Condo
$695,000
Common charges: $739 a month
Taxes: $749 a month
Open House: Sunday, Dec. 20, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lowdown: This apartment is located on the eighth floor of Century Tower, a 24-story condo, and while the the unit is a "pretty straightforward one-bedroom," its building has "luxurious amenities" that include “everything but a pool.”
There's a health club, sauna, playroom, roof deck and laundry room.
The owners bought in 2011 and are leaving because they need more space. They didn't undertake any major renovations, according to Leibowitz, who said the apartment “is still in good shape but could probably use some upgrades.”
Upon entering the foyer, there is a kitchen to your left and the bathroom to your right. The open living and dining room, which can accommodate a modest couch and a four-person table, is next to the bedroom at the rear of the apartment.
Leibowitz said that other one-bedroom apartments in this line have been converted into two bedrooms, and it could be done by carving a second bedroom out of the living room.
The apartment is located two blocks east of Carl Schurz Park, also the home of Gracie Mansion.
Because it's an under-the-radar park, said Leibowitz, “a buyer isn't paying a premium to be near it.”
Location: Carl Schurz Park is a 14.9-acre park along the East River that's home to two dog runs and a promenade with views of Roosevelt Island and the Triborough Bridge. The unit also is off First Avenue and about a 10-minute walk from the 4, 5 and 6 trains at 86th Street and Lexington Avenue.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “It's the total package if you're looking at the price point of $700,000 or less,” Leibowitz said, who noted the high-end condo amenities and proximity to the park.
92 Prospect Park West, #3C, Park Slope
One bedroom/one bath
Approximately 850 square feet
Co-op
$699,000
Taxes: $650 a month
Open House: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Lowdown: This one-bedroom apartment is part of a four-building co-op, all historic limestone buildings that face Prospect Park.
It's on the third floor of the four-story walk-up building.
The apartment is a corner unit in the back of the building, so it doesn't have park views, but an exposure to the south offers views of Manhattan, according to Corcoran broker Jessica Buchman.
She called the apartment floor plan “very adaptable,” noting that there are ways to split the apartment into a two bedroom. One of her suggestions was to split the master bedroom into two smaller bedrooms.
The apartment was renovated a few years ago with new appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. The current owners bought the apartment post renovation and have not made any major changes.
Although the building is historic, “You won't find historic details inside the apartment,” noted Buchman. Still, she said, the apartment boasts pre-war charm like high ceilings and large windows.
Location: This co-op is located right along Prospect Park on the corner of Fifth Street. The 585-acre park is hailed as Brooklyn's best, with sprawling lawns, picnic areas, playgrounds and lakes. Park Slope's main drag along Seventh Avenue is about a five-minute walk from the apartment. The closest subway, the F and G trains at Seventh Avenue and Ninth Street, is about a 10-minute walk.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “The adaptability of the floor plan makes this a wonderful value,” said Buchman. “And it's hard to find a two-bedroom in this neighborhood for under $1 million.”
