Condo of the Day: Ansonia Loft

change out the countertop from laminate to granite or stone and I'd love it.

always been a huge fan of this building.

and it'll be right near the new union market opening up on 7th.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 12:51 PM

Is the first post always from the listing agent?

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 12:56 PM

i'm not a listing agent. i used to live on 12th street and i like the building.

is the 2nd poster always so bitter that someone making a (semi) positive comment is considered a broker?

why in god's name would a listing agent start the post by saying the countertop needs to go, may i ask?

never been an agent, but i'm pretty sure you'd be a bad one.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:09 PM

Speaking of brokers it truly amazes me that in 2007 a broker like Aguayo & Huebner can survive with such an ridiculously amateurish website.

People bemoan Corcoran here all the time, but with competition like this is it any wonder they have grown so big?

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:17 PM

I think Corcoran has cornered the market for new developments, but I don't see that they are nearly as strong for the older Brownstone/pre-war stock in Brooklyn.

I've heard good things about Aguayo and Huebner.

Much better things than I've heard about Corcoran.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:21 PM

Aguayo & Huebner has two websites.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:39 PM

That exterior is 443 12th Street, not 423. I used to live at 443.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:42 PM

I agree with 1:17. Corcoran, and all other brokerages, may be problematic when dealt with directly, but their website is superior which means a lot for prospective buyers. I mean where TF is the floorplan for this listing?

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:43 PM

"new developments"

Most of which are crap, so it takes a big firm to get those things sold.

these smaller agencies deal with quality. corcoran takes whatever it can get its hands on.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:43 PM

"Aguayo & Huebner has two websites."

Could that make business sense? How?

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:45 PM

um...i believe we just talked yesterday about the baltic house with CORCORAN that had no floorplan, no pics and no NOTHING!

this place at least shows you what it looks like inside!

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:45 PM

I don't think that's the Ansonia. It's the building across the street (hence the odd numbered address).

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:48 PM

Aguayo and Huebner has a sealed bidding process that can burn buyers; hard to bid in the dark.
I've seen this apartment and it's in great condition, but it is definitely not a live/work space. It's on the small side, and the bedroom is built on a platform opposite the kitchen. The bathroom needs an update. The price was lowered from 779k to 749k recently, still overpriced.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:50 PM

The exterior photo is of 443 12th Street, which is called the Ansonia Storage warehouse. There are several "Ansonia" named buildings on this block.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:50 PM

You'd pay this much for a similar sized loft in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon.

I'd say it's worth that much in New York City.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:54 PM

There are multiple Ansonias on that block, Ansonia Warehouse, Ansonia Court...
The floorplan for this apartment is basically a box. One-fourth is up on a platform and partially walled off, that's where the bedroom is. One-fourth contains the kitchen and bathroom. And the rest is open living/dining.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 1:57 PM

This place looks pretty cool...

To the above posters who have been inside - What exactly is under the platform?And how much space is under it? Enough to stand up underneath? I've been trying to visualize how high the platform is off the floor, and how large the platform is...

Floorplan would have been great.

Thanks for any insights...

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 2:09 PM

The Ansonia Court is a coop at 420, as accurately described by rf at 2:01. The Ansonia Clockworks condo is next door, followed by the Ansonia Muse. The apartment here is at the Ansonia Warehouse, as accurately described by guest at 1:50. Yeah, it's a whole lot of Ansonia on that block.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 2:10 PM

The platform is 2-3 feet high, no you definitely cannot stand up under it, but it can be used for storage. Draw a box and partition off 1/4 of it, that's about the size of the platform.
The photo of the living room shows the height of the partial wall that closes off the bedroom. The bedroom space is more like a nook for the bed with a closet and a small office area. I think this apartment is best for one person or a couple not looking to grow. It doesn't offer much privacy between spaces.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 2:28 PM

Re: Aguayo & Huebener: the reason they have 2 websites is because they are in the midst of a schizm between the 5th and 7th Ave offices. They're fighting it out in court, but meantime the offices function separately, have separate listings, and can't show each others' listings. Eventually they will have separate names, and, presumably, websites.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 3:11 PM

The website that I use is ahbrooklyn.com, that is where all the quality listings are. I think it's funny that the really bad website puts the listings on their site that they can't sell, it's pretty cheesy but then again they don't have much.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 3:54 PM

For 100K more I'd prefer a slightly smaller apartment at the REAL Ansonia! (see Apt 9-43, recently sold)

http://www.ansoniarealty.com/sale.htm

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 4:12 PM

ok, 4:12...where to begin...

1. The apartment has been sold and closed.

2. It was 100K more and 500 square feet SMALLER than this one.

3. If you bought it, you got screwed.

The difference between 1100 square feet and 700 square feet is more than slightly smaller, in my opinion.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 4:44 PM

Personally, I'll take 500 sq. ft less and higher ceilings to be in a monumental building on Broadway in one of the best neighborhoods in NYC--my neighbors would be Fairway, Zabar's, the best subway line in NYC (1-2-3), the Hudson River, Central Park, the Beacon Theater, Lincoln Center. Oh and did I mention it's on Broadway? Regardless, I DID note that it was already sold, but thanks. Not trying to ignite another Bklyn v. Manhattan bitchfest!

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 5:02 PM

You're right, I'd much rather be closer to 2 Gaps, Banana Republic, 12 Starbucks, a new TJmax, Bed Bath and Beyond, 16 Chase Branches and a Talbots than in Park Slope. Exactly why I moved to NYC.

There was a couple articles today about the demise of retail on the Upper West Side.

http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-rents0926,0,6750069.story

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 5:32 PM

5:02 here--Psshaw! All the amenities I mentioned are permanent fixtures, they're not going ANYWHERE. I'll "suffer" through the eyesores that are the retail chains on my way to Central Park or the Hudson. This retail chain phenomenon is eating up all of NYC, including Brooklyn, in case you haven't noticed.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 5:40 PM

I have noticed.

So far the small spaces in Park Slope are doing wonders fending off the big chains.

Oh and even the designers of Central Park thought that Prospect Park was their finest work of the two.

Upper West Side is great...don't get me wrong, but it's not much different than Jersey.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 5:46 PM

That's a Brooklyn thang, right? To compare Manhattan, especially the most beautiful neighborhoods, to Jersey or Westchester? I've noticed that a lot on this board; it's so strange. I guess a shrink would clinically diagnose that as an "inferiority complex"?

As I said, I wasn't looking for a throw down, just some objectivity. You know, it's OK to think, and even speak or write, positive things about neighborhoods and even boroughs (gasp!) other than your own. Brooklyn won't feel betrayed, really, it's ok. You don't have to be so fundamentalist or defensive. Brooklyn has many beautiful areas as does Manhattan, and even NJ... they all have their merits, pros, and cons. Peace.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 6:06 PM

Yo, 5:02, you say you're "Not trying to ignite another Bklyn v. Manhattan bitchfest," but I don't believe you. And the rest of you, shame on you for taking the bait. And my parents told me that my psych' degree was worthless....

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 6:48 PM

don't see too many of us reading the upper west side blog, buddy.

you love your hood so much, why you reading and commenting so much about brooklyn real estate?

yeah...wanted to cause trouble.

thought so.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 7:30 PM

the ansonia apartments are well laid out and nice, but notoriously loud as walls are very thin.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 8:29 PM

I have been in this apartment and let me advise, it is beautiful. So much nicer than all those new slapped together developments going up at speeds faster than lightening. The apartment is 1100 sq ft, perfect for a couple with a little one on the way. There is the most perfect infants room next door to the bedroom, perfect room for the crib. And seriously the downstairs is huge, just what a loft should boast, the perfect amount of space dedicated to the kitchen, which by the way shows off all new stainless appliances, and a dining and living room areas. My husband and I were in complete awe of the storage in this apartment, how many of you can say you have a large walk in closet in your bedroom and at least 3 other closets & a storage space that is close to 300 sq. feet. We are considering a bid, it really is comparibly priced, we've seen a lot out there.

Posted by: guest at September 27, 2007 11:38 PM

^ did interns write that?

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 8:26 AM

YIKES!! the closets are 300sf!!!?????

That leaves only 800 of living space!!!

WAAAAAY OVERPRICED THEN!

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 10:57 AM

11:38, You're considering a bid?

Really....??

But you've decided to announce it to the entire Brooklyn Real Estate Community?

How interesting.

You are either the worst liar in the world or the dumbest person in the world.

Which is it?

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 10:59 AM

I wouldn't trust Aguayo & Huebner to sell me a piece of gum. We've dealt with their 7th Avenue office before and they specialize in the ultra-overhype talking up of properties while glossing over the glaring problems. I realize that brokers aren't a well-loved lot, but we've since dealt with much more honest and capable brokers at other firms.

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 11:29 AM

The 11:38 comment is the most transparent and silliest broker/seller post I think I've ever read:

"the most perfect infant's room"?
"And seriously the downstairs is huge, just what a loft should boast, the perfect amount of space dedicated to the kitchen, which by the way shows off all new stainless appliances"(ha ha, my favorite)
"my husband and I were in complete awe"

The choice of words says it all. Lame, lame, lame. At least get your assistants to try to do a better job.

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 11:30 AM

Excellent point about the closet, 10:57

Posted by: guest at September 28, 2007 11:36 AM

"the best subway line in NYC (1-2-3)"

Now THAT's funny.

Posted by: guest at September 29, 2007 11:34 AM

I live in this building and saw this apt. It is 443 12th St. First of all, it was originally listed as a 2BR. I hate when brokers mislead you with details like that. Now it's listed as a possible 2 BR. If you could squeeze another room in this place it would kill the open space. There's just no way. The little space off of the "bedroom" is just an alcove. Yes you could fit a crib in the alcove space, but it would be just like having it in your bedroom, only separated by a wall. Also, the bedroom doesn't have any windows, with fairly high ceilings, so it's dark and enclosed. Technically it's not even a 1BR, though the space is large enough for a couple easily. It's very nicely decorated and bright in the main living area. Nice wood floors. Elevator building.

Posted by: guest at October 1, 2007 12:44 PM

to guest:12:44pm - you obviously do not live in the building, if you did you wouldn't be dissing an apartment in it...and obviously you are blind because if you don't think that 1100 sq feet could handle building another room in it, you need interiors 101. (most new shareholders have done just that) you sound like a total moron, i am sure you are. people like you should stay off blogs that are suppose to be helpful. and really who cares what you think of brokers?????????????? and by the way the bedroom is open to 3 huge windows and very very bright, are you a bonafide idiot?????? and if you really lived in this building you would know that the couple that lived here had a baby in the 2nd room and it was a fantastic living arrangement having the little one right next door, as opposed to so many apartments where the parents have to have the little one in their room. so really keep your lies and hate to yourself. such a shame that people like you exist.

Posted by: guest at October 2, 2007 7:29 AM

Wow, a bonafide idiot? Lies? Hate? Please reread my posting carefully. Then tell me why the 2nd room isn't shown in any photos? Because it isn't really a 2nd room? Can't get a camera in there? I am not dissing the apartment, it is a great space for a couple, or a single. But it is a loft space. Some lofts are easily converted to 2BRs. Some in this building are in fact great 2 BRs. However it is my humble opinion that tacking on a 2nd room to this configuration would not be easy. Show me the floorplan and show me where you could put the other room. Please do. Your first statement also belies how irrational your thinking is. I can't even comment on it. You wouldn't happen to be the owner of the apartment? If so, I will gladly knock on your door tomorrow and introduce myself. As for my comment about truth in advertising, brokers and owners would do themselves and everyone else a huge favor by describing the place accurately. Needless to say, this place would have sold months ago.

Posted by: guest at October 4, 2007 1:12 AM

I owned & lived in this building for over 10 years. Here are my comments

1. yes, if a 2nd bedroom is created by installing 2 walls, the remaining living/dining/?working? space is pretty small.

2. No one is considering the worth of paying $749K to join a business and lease this space. THAT IS WHAT A COOP IS!!!

3. Aguayo & Huebner were pretty shady and supposedly still are. They even showed my apt after I fired them (ended the contract I had with them for a slimy move)

Posted by: guest at October 30, 2007 11:18 PM

P.S. Just noticed that the price has been dropped to $729K.

One other comment on the comp of Pearl District in Portland-- what planet are you on????? In Portland the veiw would be phenominal, flooring would be bamboo or brazillian cherry (not dinky pine) and the windows would be floor to ceiling with a deck-- private, not communal!!! Just saw several in this price range!!

Posted by: guest at October 30, 2007 11:24 PM

This place is still for sale, now for $649K. And FYI, the reason they did not post a floor plan originally is that the place is really no more than 900sf and that becomes obvious if you actually look at the plan. Still a nice place though

Posted by: guest at March 10, 2008 2:52 PM