Co-op of the Day: 193 Clinton Avenue
This 11th-floor one bedroom at the Clinton Hill Co-ops is the most “renovated” apartment we’ve seen in the complex, and has the price tag to match. One bedrooms in this group of buildings typically sell in the low- to mid-$300,000s (like this place, for example), though we were able to find one example that ticked…
This 11th-floor one bedroom at the Clinton Hill Co-ops is the most “renovated” apartment we’ve seen in the complex, and has the price tag to match. One bedrooms in this group of buildings typically sell in the low- to mid-$300,000s (like this place, for example), though we were able to find one example that ticked over the $400,000 level last year. This place has new dark-stained floors, high-end appliances and even name-brand tiles in the renovated bathroom. And great views, of course. The price: $409,000. Think it’ll fly?
193 Clinton Avenue [Corcoran] GMAP P*Shark
NOP — I always appreciate your perspective and positive tone. Thanks!
Brownstoner:
These apartments were built for the Navy — for officers.
Hence the bigger rooms and better finishes than the nearby public housing, which was built for Navy-Yard workers.
Nice touch: The anchors and other nautical references over the lobby doors.
Back in the 1950s, when I was growing up in Brooklyn, “The Clinton Hill Apartments” were considered an unimpeachable middle-class address, even as the surrounding neighborhood declined.
Interesting to see the buildings now trying to catch up with the rest of the area in value.
Boy, times have changed!
But just compare the room sizes, layouts, and quality of construction with the condo-drek going up on Fourth Avenue in the Slope. These buildings are plain, but roomy and solid.
And if the co-op’s board brought back the casement windows, which I remember as a kid, the complex would even have a stylish, Modernist flourish. (It’s remarkable how double-hung windows have killed so much architecture in the city. Lewis Mumford once wrote that casement windows could make an elevation “sing.” Now, even on the “best” buildings, facades are flat and dull.)
Nostalgic on Park Avenue
@1842
the south campus between Lafayette and Greene ARE in the historic distric. Once the city extends the historic district up to Myrtle, the north campus will be included. While the exteriors won’t win any architectural award, the apartments are well laid out and those of us who have renovated will eventually reap the benefits. all in all these apartments are a good buy.
Hmm, the landmark thing is interesting. They are right in the center of the historic district. If you check out the NYC landmark distrcit map, however, there are these weird green patches where the coops are located, so I’m not sure if they are included. They were built for Navy Yard workers around WWII. Not sure if they have to comply with landmarks when working on the facades. All the surrounding streets obviously do…
workers housing.
Built I think for the Navy Yards workers who were churning out the battleships for the war.
Pretty basic housing.
The maintenance may seem high but consider the purchase price in your calculations.
Most new condos in the area have 1BRs starting at 400k with maintenance and taxes at maybe $400. Buying a 1BR in the coops for 350k plus $750 maintenance is actually a good deal. Plus the closing costs on a co-op are much much lower.
Those new condos probably get you a crappy floor plan with 600sf, here you get a nice layout with over 700sf.
maintenance is high for 1BR and bldg exteriors are quite unattractive.
@Tina1978 –
We do have full time security in the complex. Agree it would be nice if they accepted packages but my neighbors usually do that for me as I accept their packages. Laundry rooms could use with some updating but I take my laundry in to have it done.
While the north campus is not officially in the historic district (the south campus of the coops is), there has been talk of extending the historic district, which currently stops at Willoughby, one block north to Myrtle Avenue. Not a big deal really. Really love my apartment and am glad I bought there. I think this is a great renovation and would hold out for some market recovery if I could if I owned this apartment.
I like the kitchen, but I would have rearranged the kitchen to move the stove a few inches from the window and place a small cabinet in between the window and stove. The bathroom is pretty meh (maybe it’s the photographs).
409k would have been a bit overpriced six months ago, so I doubt they will get this price today. If they are actually looking to sell, I would knock 20k off the asking.
I don’t think the maintenace is terribly high for a one bedroom, but I do think that these buildings could do a lot more with the money they have. For example, why not go the extra step with full-time security and have them provide some other value-added services such as accepting packages? Or get better laundry rooms?