MANHATTAN — Dog and cat owners on the hunt for apartments can breathe a sigh of relief as these three open houses come from pet-friendly buildings. Even better: each residence is within close proximity to a green space ideal for dog-walking.
943 Saint Marks Ave., #1A, Crown Heights
One Bedroom/One bath
Approximately 856 square feet
Condo
$550,000
Taxes: $37 a month
Common charges: $256 a month
Open House: Sunday, April 17, 12-1 p.m.
Lowdown: This pet-friendly building sits directly across from a park. Its street, designed like a cul-de-sac, is blocked off from through traffic and instead holds green space.
“There's no parking in front of this building,” said Citi Habitats broker Sean Curneen. “It's just the park.”
Though 943 Saint Marks Ave. is an renovation of an older building, the apartments maintain some original details like exposed brick and beams, said Curneen.
This duplex apartment occupies the ground floor and cellar.
“People cringe at the ground-floor duplex because they feel like it's dark,” Curneen said. “But this actually gets a lot of light.”
Light comes in through a large window in the open living and dining area, as well as a narrow window at the top of the lower level.
The lower floor is used by the current owners as a casual living room. The extra floor offers enough space for them to hang their extensive art collection, Curneen noted.
“There's even artwork propped up along the staircase," he said.
The owners also outfitted a modest outdoor patio, off the lower level, with a four-person table and barbeque grill.
Location: The building is a block from the Brooklyn Children's Museum and a few blocks to two more parks: Brower Park and St. John's Park.
The closest subways are the C line at Kingston/Throop and the 3 line at Kingston Avenue.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “The value in this apartment and price per square foot... It will attract people who thought they were priced out of New York,” Curneen said.
1787 Madison Ave., #609, Harlem
Two bedrooms/Two baths
Approximately 1,000 square feet
Co-op
$674,000
Maintenance: $891 a month
Open House: Sunday, April 17, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lowdown: This pet-friendly building with a landscaped patio shared by residents was constructed in 2003 as an income-restricted development, but apartments now sell at market value.
The owner of this apartment was the original buyer, and the only significant change he made to the space was customizing the walk-in closet in the master bedroom, according to Brown Harris Stevens broker Matthew Hughes.
The bedroom has an arched window that is unique to apartments on the sixth floor of the eight-story building.
Western views ensure “that you're always seeing sunset,” Hughes said. And a four-story building across the street means “open city views,” he said.
Although the corner kitchen is quite small, “it's got a cute little breakfast bar,” said Hughes. It fits two bar stools in the open living room.
Location: Dog walkers will appreciate the proximity to Marcus Garvey Park, three blocks away, or the north end of Central Park, seven blocks away.
The 2/3 trains are a few blocks west at 116th Street, the 6 train is two blocks east, and the Metro North is seven blocks north.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “You can't find a better deal for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom,” said Hughes, who listed the views and condition of the apartment as perks.
444 Central Park West, #3C, Manhattan Valley
One bedroom/One bathroom
Approximately 900 square feet
Co-op
$1.095 million
Common charges: $1,281 a month
Open House: Sunday, April 17, 12:30-2 p.m.
Lowdown: This 1929 Art Deco co-op is teeming with unique, historic details.
“It's that prewar elegance,” said Bond New York broker Svetlana Choi. “You get spacious rooms and light.”
Arched windows are particular to this unit, which is located on the third floor above the building's entryway. The window in the bathroom is original, said Choi, and one of the few left intact throughout the building.
The windows also offer a unique view out onto Central Park.
“The apartment is right across from the Great Hill,” said Choi. “You're looking at the rock formation that leads to the hill.”
She also said from some windows you can see the gargoyle statues that decorate the facade outside.
“When it snows, you can see the face of the gargoyle with the snow collecting below,” she added.
About five years ago, the owners renovated the apartment. They upgraded the kitchen and took away space from the living room to create an extra room (without a window), which they use as a second bedroom. French doors, original to the apartment, were moved to separate the second bedroom.
They also added arched entryways to the formal dining room “to reflect the arches of the windows,” said Choi.
Location: Perhaps the nicest amenity this building offers to pet owners is its across-the-street proximity to Central Park. Whole Foods Market is about a 5-minute walk south, and the B/C trains are a block away.
Why put it on your open house calendar? “It's a classic New York apartment,” Choi said. “The Art Deco elegance is so captivating, and you face the park.”
