7401 Fourth Ave

The residences here include larger-than area-standard one bedrooms with 600 square feet of space and prices topping out at around $365,000, depending on condition and the level of renovation introduced by previous owners. It is, however, 7401 Fourth Avenue’s two and three bedrooms that embody its best qualities. These classic six and seven residences range from 1,000 to 1,600 square feet of space and sell for between $500,000 and $ 850,000. Across the board, units incorporate 10-foot or higher ceilings, hardwood flooring, plaster walls and detailed trims. Kitchens tend to be large separate rooms, but in a few units like C10, they have been reconfigured to feature as part of open-plan layouts. That particular 615-square-foot one bedroom was selling for $380,000 in fall 2024. “The room proportions are larger because people didn’t live the way they do today,” Minsky reflects. “There were no iPhones or Bluetooth speakers. Instead, one had a large stereo console that doubled as a bar. Sometimes, you get an older buyer that comes back to New York, and there’s nothing available in the newer buildings that can fit their furnishings. Here, there’s plenty of space.”

A specific kind of commitment to co-op versus condo living

“A lot of young people are surprised by what they can get in these types of buildings when it comes to space and finish,” Minsky says. However, living in a co-op requires a certain level of commitment. As he notes, buyers cannot come in with the goal of making an investment and renting out their homes for a large amount of money. Before being able to rent out a unit, they must at least live here for a year or more. “While monthly maintenance fees — $700 for the previously mentioned Unit C10 — might be high when compared to a condo, it’s a steady alternative to the volatile interest rates,” Minsky adds. “Whereas owners in the latter might have to make improvements on their own, it’s done collectively here through management, which means that the windows, brick facade, the roof are periodically updated.” According to Minsky, buildings with too many renters have difficulty maintaining the financial stability to ensure this provision or even re-finance. The building is ideal for buyers looking for long-term occupancy. Co-ops get a bad rap, but in truth, they can be great value for the right type of buyer.”

Sufficient amenities and all that Bay Ridge has to offer

While much of the focus for homeowners here is on the sizable units, a few amenities do exist, like an up-to-date laundry room and well-manicured courtyard. The main amenity, however, is Bay Ridge, its vast array of owner-operated restaurants, coastal parks and reliable transportation links. The historically Italian, Irish and Scandinavian immigrant community hosts diverse eateries, including Middle Eastern mainstay Tanoreen and Palestinian bistro Ayat. Halal Italian fusion haunt Fatta Mano reflects the area’s mixed cultural identity. There are several chain and specialty grocery stores including Key Food, The Food Emporium and Greek Bakaliko Gourmet Foods.?Bookmark Shoppe is a go-to for a curated selection of popular titles and gifts. The annual Norwegian Day Parade occurs every May and nearby micro-neighborhood Dyker Heights transforms into a collective light show every holiday season.

Commuting to Manhattan is straightforward, with the R subway stopping at the 77 Street station one block south. It does, however, take an hour to reach Midtown Manhattan. Street parking is the norm here. Bay Ridge residents have direct access to the Belt Parkway that connects to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and Manhattan in one direction; the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in another. JFK Airport and Long Island are toward the east. Shore Park is a 4.5-mile-long green lung that buffers the neighborhood from the highway and New York Bay. There are ample sports fields, viewing perches, walking and cycling paths along the water. Owl’s Head Park and Millennium Skate Park are other popular destinations.