Good news! You can now rent the penthouse at 1 Avenue B for $19,500 a month

Back in June, we noted that the "rarely seen Penthouse One" at 1 Avenue B at East Houston was on the market ... with all the amenities that you might expect from a place asking $5.95 million.

To refresh your memory (key words only):

... gracious gallery foyer ... 19-foot ceilings ... Lutron lighting system ... a 63" TV home theater system ... sleek Poggen Pohl kitchen ... wrap-around terrace with built-in hot tub ... outdoor grilling station ... ... Brazilian walnut flooring ... your Ipe pergola draped in wisteria ...

Yeah, that place! Anyway, apparently there weren't any takers just yet ... the place is now on the rental market for $19,500. (A month.)

Previously on EV Grieve:
See this 'rarely seen duplex' at 1 Avenue B

See this 'rarely seen duplex' at 1 Avenue B

Well, I knew the units at 1 Avenue B on East Houston were nice... but not quite like this. The listing for the "rarely seen Penthouse One" is now on the market...

First, a little descriptive listing action via Douglas Elliman:

The fob-keyed elevator opens onto a private landing and gracious gallery foyer that leads into a stunning sun-filled great room boasting 19-foot ceilings, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows with electric shades, custom gas fireplace, Lutron lighting system and a 63" TV home theater system.

The entire main level is bordered by a beautifully landscaped 2,618 sf private wrap-around terrace with built-in hot tub, outdoor grilling station, and unmatched open sky views.

Additional features of the home include dual zone central HVAC and Humidification System, Brazilian walnut flooring throughout, laundry room with side-by-side Whirlpool washer/dryer and an abundance of storage space, and extensive security features. Enjoy endless summers dining under your Ipe pergola draped in wisteria or relish in the unparalleled views, light and space throughout the year.

... as you can see, there's even a painting that pays homage to the gas station that used to be on this corner...







Asking price: $5.95 million.

-----

Then!

[Via]

Now!

Community gardens main selling point for million-dollar condo on East Eighth Street

So this two-bedroom condo with a balcony... an in-unit washer-dryer ... Zuma soaking tubs ... Peitra Cardoza counters in the kitchen... is for sale over on East Eighth Street near Avenue C.

With all these fine amenities, what does the listing start with?

"Surrounded by community gardens and a half block from Tompkins Square Park, 331 East 8th offers high design and functionality in a stunning environment."

Noted a very special friend of EV Grieve: "It does sound better than 'surrounded by blocks that would have gotten you killed 20 years ago...'"

Anyway, it's going for $1.299 million... and you're in luck — there's an open house tonight from 5:30-7.

The 123 Third Ave. sales office may be closed, but the penthouse sales live on

The 123 gang moved out of their 10th Street office last month.

Dunno if the $3.6 million is noticeable enough. May I suggest putting it in neon?

Perhaps the new 123 marketing materials should now also mention the proximity to IHOP.

'Legal' Miele washer dryer is the 'crown jewel' of this East Ninth Street condo

Here's your almost everyday listing (from Halstead) for a $1.85 million condo on East Ninth Street:

This is a high-end, recently renovated, 3 bedroom/2.5 bath (with office) quiet, corner apartment, surrounded by treetops. Unit 5/KL is the product of a seamless combination with fabulous flow and utilization of space. The large dining area is right off the open kitchen, distinct from the substantial living room. There is a separate home office, with built-in desks. Eight huge closets, including a double-wide food pantry adjacent to the dining area, boast custom-fit, adjustable shelving. The renovated kitchen features a widowed sink, custom built cabinetry, and top of the line appliances, such as a Subzero refrigerator and a Bosch dishwasher. The doors, moldings and light fixtures are all new and the electrical wiring upgraded. The crown jewel is the legal Miele washer dryer. 115 East 9th Street is one of the few full-service, doorman buildings in the East Village with its hallways currently undergoing a beautiful, modern renovation. It is near both Union Square and Washington Square parks, and multiple subway lines. It has a garage, rentable storage space, bike room, meeting/playroom and a laundry room, (not that you will need it). You will pay a very low maintenance, because the building has no underlying mortgage, making the apartment a great value. Pets are permitted with board approval. Pied-a-Terre and guarantors are not allowed.

And of all the photos of this home on the Halstead, there's not one of the crown jewel feature!

Easy as: 3 units in 123 Third Ave. now in contract

Well, we barely even had time to look over the available units at 123 Third Avenue, that new tower of condo going up in East Union Square at 14th Street. (It's the one up there on the left — I get them mixed up too...).

Curbed just brought the news that the units were on the market back on Aug. 30 .... And now! A quick look at StreetEasy finds that three of the available homes are already in contract. Hmmm.....



Fear not if you were slow to act... 10 units remain for purchase, including the big honkin' penthouse for $3.7 million that provides unobstructed views of ConEd... and, presumably, our friends down at Robin Raj...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Living local: Here comes the 123 Third Ave. sales center!

[Top photo by Blue Glass]

First glass: 123 vs. 110

Stare at the patterns of 123 Third Ave. and 110 Third Ave. long enough and they start looking like the same building...

The Greenpointing of East Fifth Street continues

So, here's a quarterly update on the construction at 532 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B ...

Before!



Now!




Someday! ... Six floors and 10 units of glass and shine...



As a Curbed tipster noted back in February: "Six stories & ten units sounds reasonable, but that building is stylistically out of sync with the rest of the block. Reminds me more of the condos going up in Greenpoint."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Beaming up on Fifth Street

Demolition on East Fifth Street

On the way: A five-story apartment building for Fifth Street

Another swank resale hits the market at One Ten Third Avenue

Another million-dollar home is now on the market in the EV view killer at One Ten Third Avenue... We pointed out this resale for $1.42 million on June 10...

There's now a three-bedroom home on sale ....





Says Corcoran:

Sun-filled and spacious 3 Bedroom, 2.5 bath condo in a full-service contemporary building. Light streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows throughout this urban home. There is a large living/dining room with full-length terrace, open windowed kitchen featuring top-of-the-line appliances and volcanic stone countertops. The master suite features a walk-in closet and bathroom with porcelain double sinks and separate glass shower and soaking tub. Two additional bedrooms, each containing their own walk-in closets, and a full bathroom completes the private area. The apartment also features pale oak floors, Bosch washer/dryer, five zone central air, a powder room, and additional hallway closet space.

According to StreetEasy, the previous sale was recorded here in December 2007 for $2,091,475.

It's now listed at $2.6 million. And there are several other million-dollar homes here for sale. Pretty big building here, so this all may be a coincidence that several people are selling after three years of living at One Ten...

Looking at affordable homes in the East Village

A reader said that while she enjoyed gawking at the pricy condos with over-the-top amenities that I list on EV Grieve, I would be providing a valuble service by listing more affordble homes.

That's a good idea. So let's take a look!
























OK. I couldn't find any. Price is subjective, of course. Still. Not many or any bargains around.

There is no end to the million-dollar homes on the market now in the East Village

Yeppers, this two bedroomer in EV view killer One Ten Third Avenue (Jeremiah has a history of this block here) JUST went on the market... Per the listing:

The lovely residence has an expansive living & dining area with a built-in media system, custom window treatments and there are spacious California closets throughout. The loft-style open kitchen has volcanic Balsitina stone countertops, a Thermador oven & cook top, Veneto glass tile back splash, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher & Jenn-air microwave & convection oven. The Master bedroom boasts a walk-in California closet and en-suite luxurious limestone master bath with double sinks & Wenge wood cabinets, a Kohler soaking tub and separate seamless glass shower. Throughout the apartment you will find airy white oak floors, a 4 zone central air & heat system & it also includes a Bosch washer/dryer. As a dazzling (almost) new condo where the East Village meets Union Square, this full service building features a common roof deck, a fully-equipped fitness center, refrigerated storage, & illuminated contemplation garden.

It originally sold in October 2007 for $1.279 million. It's now going for $1.42 million. Something to contemplate in the garden.

Noted

From The Wall Street Journal:

Condo prices, as measured by square foot, were down 14.9% in March compared with the same month a year ago. In fact, prices declined in seven of the eight neighborhoods tracked by Radar Logic. The biggest decline was on the Upper East Side, where average prices fell 28.8% to $925.93 a square foot. The only neighborhood that posted an increase in prices was the East Village/Lower East Side, where prices per square foot rose 1% to $903.64.

New million dollar lofts in FiDi go from sliding rules to sliding doors

Just in case you thought there wasn't enough high-end condos in the Financial District. Debuted now on Fulton Street, a few doors west of our old friend the Blarney Stone...

Anyway, meet the Compass Lofts... oh, and excuse me, it's The Compass Lofts at 42 Ann Street. Even thought I'm standing on Fulton Street. Ann runs parallel to Fulton. And probably doesn't have as much of a stigma as Fulton Street, the home of, well, nothing.



Anyway, as the sign says, the lofts, which hit the market last week, start at $2.4 million... and they provide a nice view of the Beekman ...



Here's some of the listing:

The Compass Lofts is a landmarked boutique residential loft building in the heart of FiDi offering seven extraordinary homes that perfectly fuse 19th century distinction with 21st century luxury. Every aspect of the architectural restoration epitomizes the developer’s reverence for the building’s role in history as a symbol of precision and design integrity.

The Compass Lofts offers a choice of six gracious full-floor lofts and one newly added rooftop penthouse duplex. All offer grand living spaces that boast oversized windows, fireplaces and high vaulted-barrel ceilings that set the stage for dramatic entertaining. The loft layout bedroom area and spa-like baths provide for a quiet retreat. The open custom kitchen includes RAK Ceramics marbleized polished porcelain counters with premium Liebherr and Viking energy-efficient kitchen appliances. The penthouse duplex is flanked by spacious north- and south-facing terraces plus a private rooftop deck.

And a little history on the building:

It was built in 1892 and landmarked 113 years later. Now the former factory at 127 Fulton Street is on the brink of becoming one of the finest, best-restored residential buildings in the Financial District. The 10-story Keuffel & Esser building was named for the family-run company that built it. Famous among engineers who relied on its products, “K&E” was the brand of the early 20th century for all sorts of drafting materials and instruments — T squares, compasses, measuring tapes, leveling rods, surveying equipment, and even furniture. It was the first American company to manufacture slide rules, and its success helped make Lower Manhattan a commercial capital in the days when industry rivaled finance downtown

Here's more on the history of the company. And if you want to know more about the Compass Lofts, there's an open house on Sunday...

Exclusive: Smurf cast member shopping for East Village condo

After filming on the East Village last week, we hear that one of the Smurf cast members is absolutely GaGa over the prospects of living here... in fact, our spies have seen the cast member condo shopping .... over the weekend, he was wooed by the bikini-klad karaoke krowd at the A Building on 13th Street...



and he was equally bowled over by the private gated driveway at the 15-stories of condo at the Bowery and East Fourth Street...



Previously on EV Grieve:
Exclusive: The Smurfs show their immature side while filming in the East Village

Exclusive first look at "The Smurfs Movie" filming today in the East Village

[Bikini photo via Curbed via the Daily News]

Playing tag with 290 Mulberry

Continuing west on Houston... I've been keeping tabs on 290 Mulberry via in-the-know sources such as BoweryBoogie and Curbed... You've seen this wavy thing on the southeastern corner...




Here's the listing:

290 mulberry delivers award winning full floor loft residences and one spectacular penthouse by SHoP Architects. Amenities include: 24-hour doorman, private elevators, north, west and south exposures, and outdoor spaces with views from Broadway to Brooklyn. All homes feature wide-plank radiant-heat walnut flooring, central A/C, and in-unit W/D. Custom-designed interiors offer gloss white kitchens by Schiffiini with stone countertops, Miele gas cook top with fully vented hood, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, Bosch oven, and Bosch wine cooler. Master bath has custom vanity by SHoP Architects, Vola faucets and rain showerhead, teak wood paneling, Siberian marble floors, frosted glass tile walls, and a clerestory window bringing in southern light. Expected occupancy, summer 2009.

StreetEasy has seven active listings, from $2.5 million to the $7.5 million penthouse. None of the units have been sold... and none of them are in contract...

So is this project in limbo? I don't know, but the sign out front seems telling... Does this look like a condo ready to sell some units?

East Village condo sales stat of the day

According to BlockShopper.com, there have been 51 condo sales in the East Village in the past 12 months, with a median sales price of $875,000.

And at Streeteasy, there are currently 183 active sales listings, with a median price of $995,000.

Go fish

Since writing about this three-bedroom condo on 13th Street at Avenue A this week, the price has been slashed by 10 percent from $1.175 million to 1.05 million...



And there's an open house Sunday from noon to 1:30. If you go, please let me know if that fish is still there...

Thar she blows!

There's a dandy three-bedroom condo on the market on 13th Street at Avenue A...listed at $1,175 million, etc., etc. It's actually been on the market for some time... Perhaps potential owners have been scared off by that enormous fish in the aquarium as seen on the listings page...



Ohh, Barracuda, yeah....

Cutting condo prices by 20 percent on East Second Street

Back in November, we took a look at the new million-dollar condos hitting the market on East Second Street between Avenue B and Avenue C.... there were five units, ranging then from $1.2 to $1.9 million...

You remember 229 E. Second St., it looked like this...



And now...



In any event, the price of each unit was just chopped by anywhere from 10 percent to 20 percent... as StreetEasy (and Trulia) shows... the priciest of the units has dropped to $1.61 million from $1.98 million... ... what to do with that extra $380,000?

Well, they look like great homes...



...so close to the trash-strewn lot next door (one of my favorites)...



...and the busy fire station directly across the street...

Previously on EV Grieve:
Million dollar condos hit the market on East Second Street

229 E. Second St. sprouts a roof deck

123 Third Avenue ramps up its marketing efforts with an ad facing away from traffic

There's a new ad up for 123 Third Avenue, the high-rise condo on Third Avenue and 14th Street. (Or, "East Union Square"...) The ad promises the sale center is coming soon... The 123 Web site still says sales office "opening late fall 2009."



Anyway, seems like kind of an odd spot for an ad -- especially given that it faces away from the traffic on the one-way 10th Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue...



Anyway, this 19-story, 47-unit condo will include a ground-floor garden and outdoor movie screen. The developer of 123 is Orange Management, which currently has its hands full with the 22 Renwick property...

For further reading:
3 angles on 123 Third Condo (A Fine Blog)