A prewar condo building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens with part-time doorman
This six-story condo building at the foot of Prospect Park blends art deco and Mediterranean influences with an ornamented brick and cast-stone exterior conceived by Brooklyn architect Boris Dorfman. Completed in 1930, 353 Ocean Ave. (also known as Prospect Park East Condominiums) is set on a low-rise block of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, and features double-arched windows on the ground floor, with fire escapes and original decorative iron balconies still intact. Set a block from the retail corridor of Flatbush Avenue, the elevator building employs a live-in superintendent and part-time doorman. “This property maintains almost all of its classic prewar charm,” says Belle Caplis, a broker with the Bateman Fields Team at Compass who recently listed a rental unit in the building. “One of the highlights of our great city is a strong, fun park life, and 353 Ocean Ave. gets to claim Prospect Park as its own backyard.”
Mostly two- and three-bedroom units starting at $415,000
The 55 units within Prospect Park East Condominiums include a mix of mostly two- and three-bedroom residences, although there is a line of one-bedroom units as well. All of them come with hardwood floors and built-in air conditioning. “Most condo buildings are new developments with boxy layouts and Sheetrock instead of plaster,” explains Caplis. “To find a prewar condo with central air is unique.” With the relatively small number of units, listings are rare — usually about one per year — and don’t linger on the market. A one-bedroom residence sold in June 2022 for $415,000, while a two-bedroom duplex was acquired in June 2024 for $990,000. Smaller two-bedrooms are available for less, with one under contract for $600,000 as of November 2024.
Limited amenities keep monthly common charges low
While the elevator building has limited amenities, the monthly maintenance fees are low, with a $600,000 two-bedroom coming with a $429 per month common charge. To help mind the entrance, the building employs a part-time doorman, while a doorbell intercom system is also in place along with lockers in the mail room for secured package delivery. “More than an amenity, this building has a beloved super, who is very invested in the health and happiness of the building and its inhabitants,” adds Caplis. Residents who own a bike have the option of stashing it in a shared bike room, and storage lockers are available for an additional fee, although there is occasionally a waitlist. The property also contains a shared laundry facility for residents to use, and pets are permitted. While there’s no gym on site, the neighborhood is home to Blink Fitness, Planet Fitness and Retro Fitness — all of which are within blocks.
Steps from Prospect Park and easy access to grocery stores
The biggest draw in the area is undoubtedly Prospect Park, the sprawling green space designed by Central Park landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the mid-19th century. Encompassing more than 520 acres, the popular destination includes a mix of rolling meadows, woodland pathways, sporting areas and playgrounds — not to mention a zoo, boathouse and bandshell. Residents have easy access to grocery stores, as Pioneer Supermarket and Key Food are both within two blocks. Brooklyn Perk Coffee, a few doors down, provides a cozy atmosphere with wood accents and exposed brick walls. The main commercial street in this section of Prospect Lefferts Gardens is Flatbush Avenue, which is lined with numerous restaurants such as Peppa’s, Risbo, MangoSeed, Bonafini and Kracklaw Seafood Restaurant, as well as small businesses like nail salons, hardware stores, delis and pharmacies. A number of big box stores such as Target have outposts on nearby Church Street, which is also a retail hub.
One block from the Q train stop at Parkside Avenue
The property is located just one block from the Parkside Avenue subway station, where the Q line stops, and a 10-minute walk to the Winthrop Street station, which is serviced by the 2 and 5 trains; all three of these lines go into Manhattan. There are also several bus lines that travel throughout Brooklyn and stop in the immediate vicinity, such as the B16, B12, B41 and B35. Plus, a Citi Bike dock at the Parkside Avenue subway station makes traveling by bike a breeze.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
85/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
94/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Umma Park
1 min walk
Playground
Winthrop Playground
6 min walk
Parade Ground
9 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Prospect Park
12 min walk
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Kensington Dog Run
15 min walk
Dog Park
Seeley Park
3 min drive
Playground
Captain John McKenna IV Park
3 min drive
Thomas J. Cuite Park
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Playground
Dodger Playground
5 min drive
Playground
Schools
Source:
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