Own a Sixth Street apartment building; be a mean landlord

Oh, it has been some time since we looked into any real estate around here... This listing for a building on Sixth Street between Avenue B and Avenue C hit the market last market...



(Check out the Puma painting on the wall!)



Per the listing:

Investment opportunity! Raise below market rents to fair market value. A 20' wide x 50' long 4 story, 4,000sqft (approximately) 4 unit walk-up apartment building. The ground floor unit is live/work/store with a store front entrance and an entrance from the building. This unit has a beautiful 750 sqft south facing garden. The 2nd floor unit is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath with a 250 sqft south facing terrace. It has Southern, western and northern exposures. The 3rd floor unit is a 3 bedroom 1.5 bath home with southern, western, and northern exposures. The 4th floor unit is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath home with skylights, 3 exposures and a beautiful stair case. The building is fully renovated with new kitchens, baths, windows, floors, washer/dryers, etc. The gross yearly rent is approximately $164,000 a year. Tenants leases can be terminated with three months notice.

Price: $3.3 million

"Watch moon rises, storms on the horizon" from this Third Avenue penthouse

Or, if $1.4 million is a little too much for you, consider this 520-square-foot penthouse studio across the street at 111 Third Ave.

And, as usual, we start with the listing:

Spacious Penthouse Studio with open eastern views over East Village all the way to the river and the bridges. Watch moon rises, storms on the horizon, everything. Magnificent view. Kitchen and bathroom are brand new, mint renovations with classic modern styling. Kitchen has stainless steel appliances including a dishwasher and slim profile refrigerator, and black and stainless gas range. Kitchen opens wide to alcove and view. This studio has a separate entry foyer where one can easily create a gallery, library or home office. The closet space is tremendous. The former dressing room is now incorporated into the sleek bathroom creating a sumptuous windowed bathroom. The building has a beautifully landscaped common roofdeck which one accesses right down the hall from this apartment. It would serve as your own patio! Perfect for entertaining. This is a condop building with most buying scenarios possible including parental assistance and pied-a-terres. DEBUT OPEN HOUSE: Sun Jun 13 2010 1:30-3P

So, let's check out the loo...



counter space and fridge...




...the laundry room...



...and views...




Aside from moons and storms, looks as if you get views of ConEd and NYU too.

Asking price: $519,000.

Own half of a used Warhol on East Sixth Street

Here's a nice house for sale on East Sixth Street between Second Avenue and First Avenue... Let's take a look at some photos before delving into the new-to-the-market listing...







OK? Here's the listing:

Half ownership interest in a 20’-wide, four-story, Anglo-Italianate brick townhouse located on a highly desirable, tree-lined block in the heart of the East Village. Offered are the garden and parlor floors of approximately 2,400 square feet, with exclusive access to a large landscaped garden with pond, flagstone patio, established flower beds, and use of the finished basement with updated mechanicals, ideal for storage. Abutting the landmarked Community Synagogue, built originally as the historic St. Marks Lutheran Church, 321 East 6th Street is uniquely situated affording three exposures including oversized parlor floor windows. Many original details have been retained including the well-shaded high-stoop and second entrance below, wood-burning fireplaces, crown moldings, parquet and hardwood floors, and grandiose 13-foot ceilings. Use these two distinct and handsomely appointed floors as currently configured or join the two to create an expansive and gracious lower duplex. The entire property offers approximately 2,300 square feet of developable rights. The current Certificate of Occupancy reads for mixed-use; therefore, limiting financing to any potential purchaser. All expenses for the property are split equally between both owners. Lower two floors delivered vacant. Of note, this property was once owned by Andy Warhol in the late 1960’s.

And that's what my old journalism prof, Fiddlesticks, called burying the lead. Of note? I'd say!

Price: $2.4 million

"Very pied-a-terre" on East 13th Street

Or, on Sunday, you could check out the open house here at 228 E. 13th Street... A 650-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment near Third Avenue... Listing, please:

This charming one bedroom with south, north and east exposures is a rare find. With approximately 900 sf of private exclusive roof top, beautifully planted, it is truly your stairway to paradise! Prime east village location, corner unit, windows with unobstructed views in every room, exposed brick wall throughout the apartment, high ceilings and full of character. Just a short walk to Union Square and the farmer's market, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, as well as Momofuku, Milk Bar and Kiehl's right on the corner. Very pied-a-terre and pet friendly as well!

(By the way, say this listing was on the market, hmm, 1o years ago, what would the realtors have promoted ... back before Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Momofuku?)

So it's going for $530,000... Looks nice and all ... and check out the roof...






...where, at the right angle, you could keep tabs on the Mystery Lot just a little west up the street.

Lovely townhouse with bucolic gardens on East Third Street ready for "creative expansion"

There is an ivy-covered townhouse at 316 E. Third St. near Avenue D that looks lovely from the outside this time of year... And it just went on the market Tuesday for $3.995 million ...



Here's the listing:

This unique offering comprises 2 contiguous lots, 316 and 318 East 3rd Street, together forming an unusual L-shaped area that is 48' wide in the front, over 67' wide in the rear and 105' deep.

The existing structure is a 22.5' wide, 4 story brick townhouse circa 1900 with period details that requires renovation and is delivered vacant. The townhouse is surrounded on 3 sides by bucolic garden, open lawn and mature trees.

However bucolic... what are the chances that this space will be long for the neighborhood?




Check out the rest of the listing:

The townhouse itself is not landmarked, and there are approximately 22,900 buildable square feet available to the purchaser of these combined 2 lots, offering myriad opportunities for creative expansion. Located one block north of Houston in the vibrant Lower East Side, one block east of the famed Nuyorican Poets Café, in an area alive with restaurants, museums, specialty shops and nightlife.

All square footage and buildable potential should be independently verified by an architect.

A little bit of country on East Fifth Street

Man, I can almost hear the rooster crow reading the newish listing for this one bedroom home on East Fifth Street just east of Cooper Square. As the listing says:

Nestled in the heart of the East Village is your own private oasis. Relax and enjoy a 680sf South facing private garden with shade provide by a beautiful Norway Maple tree and framed by gorgeous plantings. The indoor oasis is just as special creating a wonderful country in the city feel where you can relax, entertain and work. With North / South exposures and the birds chirping on the tree lined block it's easy to forget where you are. The country kitchen provides top of the line appliances and plenty of space to use them. Hardwood floors, HVAC and tons of storage including private basement storage room complete this fabulous home. The small scale condominium is conveniently located near all of the shops, restaurants, buses and trains that make life in the East Village so much fun to live in.

And then you hear a party coming from the Cooper Square Hotel!

Anyway! Here's what it looks like.

What brownstone lovers dream of, apparently

So here we are on Stuyvesant Street... where a one-bedroom unit at No. 46 is now on the market... a one-bedroom home marked at $1.4 million...



According to the Corcoran listing:

This house that dates from 1853 is located in one of Lower Manhattan's prettiest Landmarked Historic Districts where Stuyvesant Street meets East 10th Street overlooking St Mark's Church in the Bowerie, The Renwick Triangle and the Abe Lebewohl Triangle (garden). A truly special apartment in the only co-op on Stuyvesant Street. This handsome Anglo-Italianate town house is 33' wide. The Double Parlor and the English basement with pocket garden is just what brownstone lovers dream of...

The first open house was yesterday... You'll have to see the dream yourself on another day...

Update:

Ha, ha... a Curbed reader notices a little Photoshop magic on two of the photos in the listing... it has something to do with the lights... "Lights, Camera, Action at Historic East Village townhouse" (Curbed)

Is the "best the East Village has to offer" worth the hike?

Here's a two (plus!) bedroom home at 125 E Fourth St. between First Avenue and Second Avenue that's new to the market... it's going for $825,000... take a look!





See if you can find what might be considered the catch for some people in the listing...

Magnificent and chic, this pre war beauty is the best the East Village has to offer. This spectacular renovation is worth every step of the sixth floor walk up. Flexible floor plan and attention to detail have created an unparalleled level of urban sophistication. Can be used as a three bedroom apartment or a two bedroom with a home office or seperate dining room. Enjoy your spectacular chefs kitchen featuring top of the line appliances including a Miele dishwasher, Sub Zero refrigerator and wine cooler. Gaze over the historic roof lines of neighboring 19th century tenement buildings while your south facing windows fill your apartment with generous sunlight. Gorgeous bathroom features original light fixtures and large claw foot tub with custom walnut vanity and cabinet, Jado faucet and glazed tiles. Apartment also features hi ceilings, ebonized oak floors, great closet space. Details galore, this apartment is a must see! Building offers laundry room, bike room and storage.

See for yourself Sunday during an open house from 1-2 p.m.

Price on "one of the most exceptional homes" in the EV drops $3 million in four years

Many people I know say that Seventh Street between Avenue C and Avenue D is their favorite block ... a lot of character here...



And given the many million-dollar homes on the block (the former synagogue, the Flowerbox) it's probably a favorite for real-estate agents too...maybe.

I've been keeping my eye on one property in particular: 243 E. Seventh St., a three-family townhouse. This week, the price was marked down 17 percent, from $3.5 million to $2.9 million.



According to the listing at Brown Harris Stevens:

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF HOUSE! Spacious three family Townhouse delivered vacant, built on/about 1899. This four story, 25-foot by 44-foot (plus generous extensions) house sits on a 98-foot deep lot. Many original details are intact, like the sweeping staircase, entry foyer, beamed ceilings and fireplaces. The kitchen and baths have been renovated, down to heated marble bath floors! The feel of this house is very airy and open, loft like. The garden is extraordinarily private and serene a high fence enclosed the garden where a grand old tree presides.

The lower floor (with a separate entry under the stoop) has a laundry area, building mechanics, storage room, plus space for media room and gym. The double parlor main floor has high ceilings, renovated kitchen, dining room, garden access and a full windowed bath. The master bedroom floor above can be left grand or divided into whatever suits your needs. There is a large deck as well. The third floor is a terrific apartment unto itself with a kitchen if need. Otherwise would make an addition bedroom floor, there is a full bath as well.

This house is on one of the best and most beautiful blocks in the East Village, East 7th Street between Avenue C and D. Annual taxes are shy of $3,000.

Lovely, yes, right? But I'm curious how lovely. This house seems to have a long recent history. As Streeteasy notes, Corcoran listed the house at $5.9 million in April 2006. And Corcoran's listing was slightly different:

One of the most exceptional homes you'll see anywhere in the East Village, or in Manhattan for that matter. Built in 1899, 4 stories, 25' x 44' with a 22' extension on a 98' lot. Sunny & loft-like. Renovated with integrity, retaining original details and charm. Over 5,200 square feet. With a 32' planted country garden - a deck and hammock and giant Chinese Empress tree - the rear of the house feels like a bird sanctuary and resembles a large Italian villa. Walled buildings on either side guarantee privacy. The Firemen's Garden to the north insures an open view, perhaps forever. Huge double-parlor floor with dining room. On the lower level, a laundry room and enough space for work, storage, a playroom, gym or studio. Full-floor master bedroom suite with terrace, heated marble floors in the bath. More storage than you can imagine, fireplaces, exposed beams, high ceilings and an original stained glass and carved wood entry door. All this on one of the East Village's best blocks, beautiful homes surround. A rare opportunity! Yes, the East Village has arrived!

So let's check out the sales history here the last four years courtesy of Streeteasy:

4/13/2006
Listed by Corcoran at $5.9 million.

8/31/2006
Listing is no longer available.

9/13/2006
Re-listed by Corcoran.

11/14/2006
Listing is no longer available.

1/10/2007
Re-listed by Corcoran.

1/10/2007
Price decreased by 15 percent to $4.995 million.

4/23/2007
Price decreased by 20 percent to $3.995 million.

3/20/2008
Listing is no longer available.

5/15/2008
Listing entered contract.

8/27/2008
Listing sold.

1/7/2010
Currently Listed by Brown Harris Stevens at $3.5 million.

3/6/2010
Decreased by 17 percent to $2.9 million.

So the price has dropped $3 million in four years. Any takers?

Which reminds me that I haven't seen the documentary "7th Street" since it debuted back in 2003. The director, Josh Pais, moved on Seventh Street between Avenue C and D in 1967...

A "showcase" on East Seventh Street

The Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Anshe Ungarn East Seventh Street, described as "a Beaux Arts synagogue built in 1908 for a congregation of Hungarian Jews," was designated a historic landmark last March.

It was split into five residences in the 1980s. Today, the Times features the folks who live in the building's penthouse.

Notes the article, titled "Once Sacred, Now Their Showcase:"

Until pull-down shades were recently installed, neighbors in the tenement walkups and condominiums across East Seventh Street were afforded unobstructed glimpses of the couple’s king-size platform bed, egg-shaped bathtub and clear-glass shower. The blinds might be optional this summer, as the stands of black bamboo that ring the cedar-lined terrace reach full growth, blocking out any Peeping Toms.

[Photo: Michael Falco for The New York Times]