203 West Houston Federal Townhouse

Summary

Tucked discretely behind a handsome historic Federal-style façade, a sleek Philip Starck-inspired interior awaits. Why choose between vintage and modern for downtown living when you can have both? Currently configured as two separate duplexes, this townhouse can easily be converted into a single-family residence.

The entry-level duplex, designed as an open loft space, is a visual delight. Entertain guests or just settle in for the night next to the gas fireplace. The top-of-the-line kitchen features floating custom-built cherry cabinets with Duravit hardware, granite counters, a Bosch oven, a gas-powered range with a hidden vent, an oversized stainless steel refrigerator and a Bosch dishwasher. A full bathroom and storage space are also located on this level. Outside, a private south-facing garden is the perfect oasis and includes brushed cement walls and a custom-built Argentine charcoal grill. Back inside and up an elegant floating staircase, the master suite awaits. The suite is cleverly suspended over the garden below, and includes a large walk-through master bath with an oversized shower and an adjoining office or seating area.

The upper-level duplex is as equally impressive as the space below. The south-facing living room overlooks a tree-lined green space that affords privacy and serenity. The modern kitchen has been updated and features stainless steel appliances. A full bathroom is located on this level. Upstairs, two bedrooms and an additional full bathroom can be found.

The entire townhouse has had all of its plumbing and electrical wiring replaced in the past five years. Steel beams, a fire escape, and a new rear wall have all been recently installed. This is a great opportunity either to move in and occupy both spaces as one residence, to live in one unit and rent the other, or use the entire townhouse as an investment property. An additional 400 sqft of FAR may be available.

Irving Place Penthouse Duplex...

A rare chance at history and serenity in the midst of it all!

Stretched over 27 vertical feet of the top two floors of this prime Gramercy Park co-op, the opportunity to create a townhouse in the sky beckons. Plans are in place to create a dramatic duplex residence with 3-bedrooms, 2-baths and 2-half-baths. In addition, the proposed floorplan includes a sweeping floating staircase, new fenestration, a laundry room and abundant closet space.

The plan retains the home's two existing wood-burning fireplaces, which imbue the living room and master bedroom suite with warmth and ambience. The solarium and terrace with panoramic city and park views on the upper floor will also remain intact. Dramatic in any incarnation, the architectural plans included in the sale capitalize on the space's three exposures and uncommonly grand ceiling heights, but can easily be customized to suit the most exacting tastes. This is a rare opportunity to create a thoroughly unique space within one of Manhattan's most coveted addresses.

Bask in the renderings and floor plan and contemplate what awaits...

Rookie or Veteran?

You are here looking for a home. You call or email about a specific place that's the DREAM home on the perfect tree lined street, only to not get an address, hear that it's rented or if you are lucky, get taken to a box facing a brick wall.

This is the most in demand market to find a home and the busiest time of year for rentals is approaching fast. The vacancy rate is under 1% again. To put that it in perspective, for every one building with 100 apartments in it, you MAY be able to sublet a room from someone within.

To move is an important decision. Likely one of the more important ones you are likely to make in the next three to four years. To do this and not choose wisely the target of attack is like throwing dice against a wall. Is that really how to chose a home?

There are over 27,000 licensed real estate salespersons in this city. Each year there are about 10,000 transactions. The amount of new agents that actually last in this business is less than 10%. This brings to mind an interesting question.

Would you buy a car from a pizza-maker? Get a haircut from your bank teller?

That's the likely result when you put your trust in an inexperienced agent. He/She will likey be in another industry when you are looking to purchase in two or three years IF that agent can even find you and secure the right place.

If that's what you want to spend your time doing, then you can do that without a broker and save the fee if you are able to find a place. This is not the time of year to risk losing the perfect place because someone wants to show you what they want you to see and not take you to what you are telling them you want.

A broker earns the fee for much more than just how many places they show you. A good broker earns the fee for showing you less places that are ALL viable options based off of your needs. There is no way that a rookie can do this without the proper inventory knowledge. There are many managements, co-op/condo owners and developers to choose from. Too many apartments to list that turn over before they can even be listed during this time of year.

The essential functions when using a broker for a rental are to save you time in the initial search, securing the apartment by having the neccessary documentation, saving money over the course of the initial year or two by finding that gem that is NOT available to the public and PERHAPS a below market rent. This is among the many other hats (pun not intended if you know me) we wear. (Board package and interview preparation, relationships with owners/landlords/supers/porters, knowledge of areas for those relocating and other networking possibilities).

Take time to really think about your search for a home and remain open minded about the possiblities. This city is a cornucopia of experiences for you to delve into. Make sure that you are not being led by someone with no sense of the realities in this marketplace.