« Inside Third & Bond: Week 58 House of the Day: 132 St. Marks Avenue »

October 16, 2008

Co-op of the Day: 201 Clinton Avenue

The Clinton Hill Co-ops generally are a pretty good value. They're not the sexiest apartments around, but they tend to be a little cheaper than the competition and they come with a solid financial footing and a nice community. And, as in the case of this one-bedroom, some of the upper-floor spaces offer killer views. This 750-square-foot unit could use a new kitchen, but the asking price of $320,000 seems pretty reasonable.
201 Clinton Avenue 1 BR [D Cherry RE] GMAP P*Shark

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I haven't seen any recent comps but price certainly is reasonable based on last couple of years of transactions.

Posted by: itsagas at October 16, 2008 1:04 PM

Hmm.

You know, I'm pretty sure one cabinet maker has supplied all of the kitchen cabinets for every single condo and rental in the entirety of Brooklyn.

That said, if they have 2 BR's for under $500k, I'd be mildly tempted. The neighborhood doesn't suck and at least it's close to a subway, even if it is the G train.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 16, 2008 1:17 PM

2Brs go for well under 500. around 450-475

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 1:23 PM

Financially sound buildings, that's pretty much it.

Posted by: Xander Crews at October 16, 2008 1:25 PM

Real 2 BR's in clinton hill go for 450k? really? show me some...

Posted by: bktycoon at October 16, 2008 1:27 PM

search a little bit. they aren't hard to find. streeteasy.com

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 1:31 PM

"$320,000 seems pretty reasonable"

1BR in Brooklyn's Co-op City. No way. Instant loss.

Posted by: DOW8000SP800 at October 16, 2008 1:32 PM

If NYCHA finds out that a one bed in the projects in CH can sell for $320K....

Posted by: dittoburg at October 16, 2008 1:37 PM

1BR in Brooklyn's Co-op City. No way. Instant loss.

Totally off base. While from the outside this complex leaves plenty to be desired, on the inside these are spacious, decent apartments and some of them have world class views. And it is a great community and a great location, with the subway literally directly below.

Posted by: wasder at October 16, 2008 1:47 PM

Whoops--my bad. 201 Clinton is down the street from the subway a few blocks. There is one section of the Clinton Hill Co-ops right on the G and one a bit away and this one is in the farther away part so my point is not quite as valid. Still a decent apt at a good price.

Posted by: wasder at October 16, 2008 1:49 PM

2 BRs at the south end of the Clinton Hill Coops (between Lafayette and Greene and closer to the C train) are selling for over 500K now, decent 1 BRs in the high 300s. Who knew? I only wish I had bought there five years ago.

Posted by: sound11217 at October 16, 2008 1:52 PM

I recently went to contract on a 1BR apartment in north Park Slope very close to the B/Q and 2/3 trains. I've been wondering whether I would've been better off spending $100,000-$125,000 less for a 1BR in the Clinton Hill co-ops or thereabouts.

Posted by: McFly at October 16, 2008 2:29 PM

I shopped in this complex and this area for a long time. If you are looking to buy now (and yes, big if!), I think this is a pretty good deal compared to comparable sales and other apartments on the market.

Posted by: cortnyc at October 16, 2008 2:35 PM

Also, true that these are not very attractive from the outside, but the layouts inside are really great. Lots of separataion between the bedroom and living room.

Posted by: cortnyc at October 16, 2008 2:38 PM

Looks like the projects.

Posted by: East New York at October 16, 2008 2:52 PM

That's incredibly perceptive, East New York.
Tell us more of your deep insights.

As has been said several times, the exterior isn't great but inside the windows are HUGE. gigantic... great natural light

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 3:12 PM

"Tell us more of your deep insights."

OK. Looks like the Linden Houses projects, specifically.

Posted by: East New York at October 16, 2008 3:18 PM

Actually, that's the same insight you already told us.

These buildings look like every project in the city. They're all the same. Incredibly, you aren't the first person who has made this connection.

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 3:23 PM

Anyone else notice they look like housing projects.

Posted by: Xander Crews at October 16, 2008 3:34 PM

So basically one is paying more to live with people in the same building of higher income. Xander, please explain.

Posted by: dittoburg at October 16, 2008 3:40 PM

"Actually, that's the same insight you already told us."

No, actually it's not. I specified the project in my second post.

Sadly, your laughable attempt at sarcasm is quite misplaced, because the city's housing projects simply don't all look the same. The Queensbridge projects in Long Island City (largely four- and five-story buildings with small courtyards and pathways) look much different from the Linden Houses in East New York (very tall buildings with larger pathways with playgrounds, basketball courts and large parking lots). The Gowanus Houses projects are white brick, unlike the first two examples. Several of the buildings in the Harlem River Houses have a "mews" style of architecture. All are housing projects. You'd know there are differences if you were the least bit informed, or had bothered to observe some of the housing projects in this city.

Posted by: East New York at October 16, 2008 3:53 PM

Why live here when you can get the same, or more, space, plus character and great subway connections in Jackson Heights?

Posted by: citykitty at October 16, 2008 4:01 PM

Everytime there is a post about the Clinton Hill Co-Ops, this same "looks like a project yada yada" conversation occurs. Can't it just end? I agree - they aren't the prettiest. So don't live there. There are many of us who live here and love it. I own my own apartment that is huge (comparitively for a 1 bedroom) and I have kick-ass Manhattan views. My neighbors are super-nice (old-timers and new ones), and many of them are like me - hardworking middle-classers. I live in the North campus - closer to Myrtle, and the walk is longer to the G, but I don't mind - I like being closer to the commercial strip. And I love Clinton Hill, and these Co-Ops enable me to afford to live in a beautiful place. I don't want to live in Jackson Heights. If I did, I would.

Posted by: ch_nyc at October 16, 2008 4:04 PM

Why would someone choose to live in the East Village when you can get more space in Brooklyn? Because some people like living in the East Village. That comment is just going to start a "my neighborhood is better than your neighborhood" debate. Some people prefer Jackson Heights, some people prefer Clinton Hill, some people prefer the Upper East Side. That kind of discussion is useless because noone is wrong.

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 4:08 PM

People pay good money to live in project style apts - I'm sure a mortgage on a 1 bdrm in Clinton Hill co-ops is comparable to a 1 bedroom rental in Stuy-Town/Peter Cooper Village.

Posted by: A Guest at October 16, 2008 4:12 PM

"That kind of discussion is useless because noone is wrong."

Hey - who the hell made you the Brownstoner discussion director, anyway? This is a blog. It's about discussion. What's your problem?

Posted by: East New York at October 16, 2008 4:13 PM

Ok. Fair enough. I'll play

Clinton Hill is the best because I live there and I like it so it's the best.
Park Slope has too many mommies.
Manhattan is O-V-E-R!
Jackson Heights is in Queens, enough said.
Dumbo... you can maybe hear the trains on the bridge overheard so that's no good.
Bed Stuy... basically if you go there you will die.
Same with East New York.
Same with Crown Heights.
Same with Bushwick
Williamsburg... oh lord where to begin? trust funds and skinny boys everywhere! who could live in that environment?

discuss.

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 4:22 PM

Actually, mortgage is less than a one bedroom rental in Stuyvesant town. Clinton Ave between willoughby and lafayette is by far one of my favorite blocks in Brooklyn.

Posted by: cortnyc at October 16, 2008 4:23 PM

cortnyc - if you like hi-rise why chose brooklyn over manhattan?

Posted by: dittoburg at October 16, 2008 4:28 PM

ditto... the question wasn't directed at me, but the reason I chose to live in a this high rise over Manhattan is because I knew I wanted to live in Clinton Hill but the co-ops were the only affordable option.

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 4:34 PM

I don't live in Jackson Heights because nearly all of my friends in New York live in Brooklyn, and I like being able to see them without a long train ride (in fact, without ANY train ride for most of them). If I had a bunch of friends in Jackson Heights, I'd probably live there.

There are perfectly good reasons for living in any given neighborhood.

Posted by: cwbuecheler at October 16, 2008 4:36 PM

TD you forgot one - Park Slope has Al Di La, the best culinary masterpiece NYC as ever seen.

Posted by: A Guest at October 16, 2008 4:39 PM

oh no no, A Guest. Clinton Hill has Locanda Vini e Olli. Far superior in EVERY way, just like Clinton Hill is over Park Slope!! muahahahaha

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 4:43 PM

"Manhattan is O-V-E-R!
Jackson Heights is in Queens, enough said.
Dumbo... you can maybe hear the trains on the bridge overheard so that's no good.
Bed Stuy... basically if you go there you will die.
Same with East New York.
Same with Crown Heights.
Same with Bushwick"

I see. You've bought into every nearly Brooklyn stereotype out there. Clearly you're operating with an inferior mentality that's unable distinguish the shades of gray that lie behind almost every characterization. In light of this, the content of your posts are much easier to understand. Thanks.

Posted by: East New York at October 16, 2008 4:50 PM

hahaha, I would carry on TD - but it's 5pm and it looks like there's rain over yonder.

Posted by: A Guest at October 16, 2008 4:53 PM

and i see you've yet to learn about sarcasm, ENY.

Of course they are stereotypes! that's all anyone talks about on these blogs!

You want to know what I really think? I think all the neighborhoods I mentioned are fantastic. Honestly. They all have their own character and they all have their own positives and negatives. The bottom line is - I realize my building looks like a project, but I love living there and I love Clinton Hill. Why should others question that decision? Why can't others on these boards accept the fact that people might enjoy living in a neighborhood or building that doesn't suit their own tastes?

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 5:08 PM

Okay, I know I shouldn't do this, but I'm bored... TD, I'm sorry I offended you, and you make a good point about not criticizing others choices in neighborhoods/buildings. But after your first post, I was curious about your other comments, and found this, that you posted related to some new building in Bay Ridge:

"you can get something at Toren with similar square footage plus awesome views for 1.3 million. why in the world would anyone pay 1.5 way out there? it's ridiculous."

hmmm... you're right! why CANT others on these boards accept the fact that people might enjoy living in a neighborhood or building that doesn't suit their own tastes!

Posted by: citykitty at October 16, 2008 5:17 PM

oh gosh you got me. i'm a self-righteous two face.
i would argue with you but you went through all that trouble so well done. that's some nice sleuthing (albeit kind of creepy)

Posted by: TD at October 16, 2008 5:38 PM

ditto - I am a die hard brownstone fan, but I couldn't find anything in my price range that beat the layout, light, and views that I found in the Coops. There are brownstone apartments further out into the Clinton Hill that might fit the bill, but it was just too far from the subway.

Posted by: cortnyc at October 16, 2008 6:36 PM

Still looks like a housing project.

Posted by: Xander Crews at October 17, 2008 12:09 AM

The Clinton Hill Co-Ops were designed in 1943 as housing for Navy officers by the Rockefeller's favorite society Architect Wallace Harrison. Wally Harrison is the designer of Lincoln Center, The United Nations and several other important projects. He worked with Interior Design icon Jean Michel Frank and the cubist painter Fernard Legger (both have work on display at the Met and MOMA). The Co-Ops are the ONLY residential work by these pivotal artists accessible to middle and upper-middle class people. The Co-Ops also generate a substantial portion of their own power using green technology.

I have a two bedroom 12th Floor apartment, with 270 degree view of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, New Jersey and Queens. I watch fireworks from the window seat at picture windows 17 times a year. The New York City Marathon runs right by my building, the Brooklyn Flea Market and a dozen new cafes make Clinton Hill a wonderful place to live.

The G train takes you right to Ikea, Home Depot, Lowe's, Williamburg and Smith Street. A movie or a play at BAM is a 5 minute walk.

Posted by: 325 Clinton at October 17, 2008 1:05 AM

The floor plans at The Co-Ops are a blend of early moderism and pre-war so you have spaces flowing into each other, but you have clear divisions of rooms. Why is this helpful? Because furniture fits into these rooms. You can have a dining table that fits 6 and a classic living room furniture arangement. There is a coat closet, a linen closet and the bedrooms each have ample closets - try finding that at The Edge, Toren, Oro, Forte, or Hanson Place for under $700,000.

A foyer, A hallway, a windowed kitchen, a dining room, a large bedroom, storage, a well proportioned living room, 6 large windows, a yard for you puppy to play in and a playground next door for the toddler...for $500,000? It's the best deal in the city.

Posted by: 325 Clinton at October 17, 2008 1:29 AM

Can you guys stop trying to sell people on Fort/Greene Clinton Hill. yes we love the neighborhood. That is why we live here. Stop trying to get other people to move here.

The coops are fine places, we have a couple of friends who live there. They are spacious light filled apartments. I would never buy. But the space and affordability makes it easier to have a small family in one of these apartments than in a small floor through apartment of a brownstone.

Posted by: Dora Chica at October 17, 2008 10:10 AM

"People pay good money to live in project style apts - I'm sure a mortgage on a 1 bdrm in Clinton Hill co-ops is comparable to a 1 bedroom rental in Stuy-Town/Peter Cooper Village."

Having moved to the Co-ops from Stuy town (before our rent was raised 50%) I can attest to the fact that the mortgage plus maintenance is almost exactly the same as a Stuy town 1 bedroom was about 3 years ago.

Yes they look like projects, like Stuy town, Kips bay, and if you think about it (sans the white brick) a lot of UES buildings.

Luckily we live on the inside of our building-not the facade. Very friendly community. Is my dream brownstone? No. But it is a nice place to live and very affordable.

Posted by: jelly donut at October 17, 2008 12:20 PM

I agree about how LOVELY these apartments are. I used to live in one of the 1960s towers in the Village, on the outside it looked like the Co-ops. This is a common mid-century Modern style. The co-ops are really fantastic, the people who live there are a great mix of people who have been in the neighborhood for years and younger residents, middle class or working class people of diverse backgrounds, young families too. My sister lives here and I know the buildings very well, in fact, I almost got a place here too. The apartments are HUGE and have amazing closets, high ceilings, very tall windows and are flooded with light. :-)

Posted by: petite maoiste at October 17, 2008 10:32 PM

I lived in CH coops and experienced the following:

1. urine in the elevators
2. a dead body was found in the elevator
3. marijuana smoking in the stair cases
4. roaches in the compactor rooms
5. frequent water shutdowns or unavailability

This was between 2004-2008. Good luck!

Posted by: beentheredonethat at November 26, 2008 2:33 PM

« Inside Third & Bond: Week 58 House of the Day: 132 St. Marks Avenue »

October 16, 2008

Co-op of the Day: 201 Clinton Avenue

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