Condo of the Day: 119 St. Marks Place

Yowza.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 12:53 PM

Totally stripped bare. Even the fireplace.

But it does leave room to work your personal taste and creativity. It's super easy to add crown mouldings and baseboards and mantels. I have a friend with an 80's condo in CA that was a bare box when she got it and she added everything I mentioned. Made even 80's construction look great.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:02 PM

Agreed, and what's with the always dark cherry and stainless kitchen (ugly to me in these buildings - it looks so suburban), the so-neutral-as-to-be-disgusting bathroom tiling, and small victorian baths just cry out for pedestal sinks (you can squeeze in the storage you lose from the vanity elsewhere if you are creative.)

But this is what you get when real estate prices are so high that only developers can afford to purchase and renovate them. When things were cheaper, you could get an owner renovation, which, depending on the taste of the owner, could be quite nice and could be sort-of horrible. I got one done by an owner that was to my taste (simple and suited the brownstone building) that everybody loves (though on close inspection, the craftsmanship should have been better - this place probably has better craftsmanship, though it is hard to tell from pictures.)

But a developer does this stuff because, frankly, this size apartment at this location won't sell for more than that - whatever the finishes - and they save by doing every apartment just like others and not choosing soemthing with some style.

Or maybe I'm wrong, and the developers are making such a killing given the market that even if they could afford to do nicer, they just either have no style, aren't interested in cutting into their profits to put some in, or both.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:05 PM

went in a bidding war

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:07 PM

anyone else hate how the building looks with the fire escape on the front?! it's bizarre to me... and makes me glad i dont live in the slope

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:10 PM

the fireplace hearth looks less than (I think code req) 18"

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:12 PM

WTF is wrong with recessed lighting? Doesn't seem like an obviously bad move. Most people prefer to have lamps and use the recessed for take lighting. If there was some sort of crazy overhead fixture, B'stoner, wouldn't you complain about that too? What is your preferred alternative? Italian plaster with a bare fixture socket?

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:18 PM

Though it is hard to stomach the fire escape as a marketing feature. Are developers forced to put these out front when they convert to a 3 fam condo? Aren't most postioned in the back?

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:20 PM

What's the problem with Mr. Slims, Mr. B? They're no more obtrusive than a window unit (and you don't sacrifice a window), they're no more historically inappropriate than central A/C, they're quiet, and they're more energy-efficient than central air.

They're also basically made for incorporating into older buildings where it's either impossible to run ducts or impossible to do so without tearing up the joint--a fairly preservationist solution even if this particular job didn't care about preservation.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:21 PM

This place is bland, but not awful. The price seems high for the slope, and isn't this St Marks 4th/5th? It can't be more than 900 sqft if it's a floorthru. It's probably closer to 800sqft due to the stairs. Is that a going rate for the area?

If so, my floorthru with a real stoop, no fire escapes, 1 working fireplace, 1 decorative, original mantles, nice moldings, new bathroom and kitchen and a 14x14 deck off the living room with views of the city and a nice weeping dogwood to sheild fromt he neighbors is for sale as of this moment for the same price.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:31 PM

what's wrong with Mr. Slim- beats a huge window unit...

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:31 PM

the fire escape is actually on the back (this picture must be old as they didn't want to show that they are still working on the front door...). in any event - I think they can get the price, they already sold 2 units before the official sales process began...

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 1:40 PM

Common Charges...$227!!!

I'll take two!!!

Oh and the most asinine post of the day...

"anyone else hate how the building looks with the fire escape on the front?! it's bizarre to me... and makes me glad i dont live in the slope"

yeah, i can see why a fire escape would make you hate a neighborhood.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 2:10 PM

i saw the apartment during last weekend's open house...the fire escape is in the back..the common charges are a steal...but the work done on the building was just satisfactory IMO...someone will buy this place because of the low monthly fees, but the upstairs penthouse will be a tough sell...great outdoor space, but its a 500sqft studio with a poor layout

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 2:23 PM

too bad they already sold the (lower) duplex... anyone got an idea what they asked / got?

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 2:39 PM

that's an old picture, sam.

it's been moved to the back.

get it now?

notice no leaves on the tree branches...

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 2:49 PM

Recessed lighting is best in any new condo conversion, because it's bright and serves as a work light, and yet it doesn't stop you from adding a large, hanging, decorative chandelier in the living room, DR or master BR which is becoming very popular to do. It's better than heinous track lighting to serve as bright overhead work lights. This is NYC. People do their work in the dining room or living room, it can't be only mood lighting in those rooms.

Mr Slims are ugly but if the building had central AC it certainly wouldn't cost only $749K for a 2 BR. Any 2 BR condo in Park Slope with Central AC I've seen has been at least $900K. It's a luxury feature.

For the kitchens, why don't developers ever offer people options? Like even just give people 3 types of kitchens to choose from, then it's installed after closing.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:00 PM

yeah, this price is a STEAL in this part of the slope.

most 2 bedrooms in this area go for closer to a million.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:06 PM

Man, I would love to own this apartment. Too bad I could only afford half that asking price. Guess I'm bound to being a lowly renter. How is everyone else in my neighborhood so rich?!?

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:23 PM

you can find a nice studio for half that price, 3:23.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:27 PM

Just moved from a rental across the street from this place. It's a great neighborhood: people, subways, amenities are all lovely. It'll go for that price easy. After hubby & I gave notice to landlord, he raised it $750 for new tenent. He got it, too, with a waitlist on top of it.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:33 PM

Yeah, rents seem to be increasing fast in the the North Slope.

I have a neighbor (North slope, near the park) who had two tenants move out over the summer...both are studios...they were 1400 and 1500 and they went (in one day) for 1700 and 1800 respectively. i was hoping to get a friend in to look, but he said he had so many people interested that the places were gone in 20 mins.

We are talking like 300 sf studios here...

Nuts.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:36 PM

For the people who have seen it-- how many square feet is it? Is there an extension on the building? Otherwise it has to be tight to fit two bedrooms and two baths on that floorplate.

I was following the market pretty closely up until 6 months ago, but I thought at that time, Park Slope was closer to 750 per sqft. If this is a std brownstone floorthru, then it's going at around 900 per sqft.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:39 PM

I think it's gotten to be closer to 1000 psf in Park Slope proper.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:43 PM

Speaking of details. I am a rental agent from Manhattan who just saw a four story townhouse conversion on Ft. Greene Place that goes on sale in two to four months. The developer only restores townhouses. He is restoring all the details in the house and his taste is impeccible (original pine floors, original moldings and working fireplaces). He gave me a walk-through yesterday. They are supposed to go on the market in two months to four months. These things are huge 1350-1500 sq feet with either two or three bedroom layouts. Absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 3:51 PM

1000 per sq ft is a huge jump from a few months ago. Even thought North Slope is Park Slope, I always thought it was a little less than 321 slope. Also, this is between 4th and 5th, so it's arguably not even North Slope. Sorry to sound like I've stepped out of a time machine, but I could swear that I'm still seeing brownstone floorthrus listing for low 600s in this area.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 4:13 PM

Here's a floor thru in this part of the slope for 900K.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 4:25 PM

http://www.corcoran.com/property/listing.aspx?Region=NYC&ListingID=1076149&ohDat=10/21/2007%2012:00:00%20AM;

forgot the link

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 4:26 PM

Hey that is a great location. Pepperoncino's on the corner has amazing food. Old picture. No fire escape in the front and renos coming along nicely....I like the brownstones being converted instead of torn down to build massive buildings

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 4:27 PM

Has anyone else seen the Vermeil lately?

They've been installing a nice looking cornice over the past couple weeks...

looks good.

www.vermeilcondominiums.com

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 4:35 PM

I think the location is awesome. You're close to all shops and restaurants on 5th Ave but also to literally all the subway lines as well as downtown Brooklyn (but not like Atlantic-Yards-in-your-face close...). Think about it, assuming you commute into the city, you take the subway every day but how often do you really walk to central Slope?

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 6:10 PM

The location is great. It's good to be closer to the 2/3 so your only option isn't the R. Unless you have nowhere to be anytime soon.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 7:21 PM

"but how often do you really walk to central Slope?"

Every day.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 8:17 PM

It would cost around 20K to do the split units in an apt like that- including permits, carpeter, roofer, electrician, and the HVAC guys and materials. I just had a similar job priced. I would bet it would trend towards 100K to tear the place apt and put ducting and blowers in-- because you would have to gut the place and start over.

Posted by: guest at October 18, 2007 11:38 PM

vermeil verschmeil.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 12:40 AM

I don't believe anyone said if this had central air it would be 900K. I believe someone was pointing out another apartment that cost 900K that happens to have air conditioning.

And that 749K was cheap for this part of the neighborhood.

Which it is.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 10:46 AM

$749 is way steep for that that smallish space on that block.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 10:58 AM

Find something cheaper in the North Slope this nice, then.

And post us a link.

Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 11:14 AM

I know the person who is in contract on this apartment. It is plenty large to have the two bedrooms and two baths. The Kitchen/Dining/Living is large in size too. It is over 1000sf. on the floor plan. The finishings are of better than average quality and it is a blank slate to do with what you want. THE FIRE ESCAPE IS ON THE BACK. There used to be two units per floor which is why there was a front and back fire escape on the building. Great apartment in a great location.

Posted by: guest at October 29, 2007 4:25 PM