A convenient value in Downtown Brooklyn’s residential scene
“At the time it was built, it was one of the only condos in Downtown Brooklyn like this,” says Andrew Mak, an agent with Serhant who’s sold units here since 2015. The steel-and-glass high rise blends in with the neighborhood’s office buildings, which dominated the landscape when 189 Schermerhorn arrived in 2007. But a secluded patio and greenhouse give residents a place to relax without the surrounding street noise. “And the building doesn’t have crazy-high monthlies that other full-service buildings do,” Mak says. The location also balances commercial conveniences with residential charm. “Schermerhorn Street is the border of Cobble Hill, so not only do you have access to the quieter parts of brownstone Brooklyn, but you’re near a lot of subways and you can walk to all the shops in Downtown Brooklyn,” Mak says. “I would even say this building’s a good value play. Because you have 11 Hoyt across the street that sells for $2,500 per square foot, but this one’s half of that.”
Flexible layouts for compact living
“You have one beds, two beds and then a bunch in between,” Mak says, referring to the one-bedroom units with home offices that are common throughout 189 Schermerhorn. “The standard one bedroom size is 550 to 650 square feet, but once you start getting into 750 and 850 square feet, that’s how you can tell they’re a one bed plus home office.” Two-bedroom, two-bathroom units are sized from 900 to a little over 1,000 square feet. A number of those units have dressing areas between the primary bedroom and primary bathroom, and larger ones have private terraces off the living room. The few three bedrooms can be over 1,500 square feet, with up to three bathrooms and a home office alcove. Some of these were created by previous owners combining units, but throughout the building, combination units are generally uncommon.
If it’s not broke, don’t renovate it
Most units retain their original oak floors and white quartz kitchen countertops because previous owners haven’t renovated much. “For a building that’s over 15 years old, you usually see people gutting it. But everything has held up well and the finishes [the developers] used are kind of classic,” Mak says. “The most common is people updating the bathrooms,” which often means new medicine cabinets and tubs becoming walk-in showers. Although dishwashers are standard, there are no in-unit washer-dryers.
Modest amenities mean lower monthlies
Most recently, one bedrooms have been priced for between $750,000 and $1.1 million, with home office alcoves or second bedrooms fetching higher prices. Two bedrooms have been priced for between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, depending on square footage and if they have private balconies. Three bedrooms, meanwhile, have been priced around $1.9 million. Although the building’s 421A Tax Abatement is expiring in 2025, total monthly carrying costs are kept in check by common charges that are around $1 per square foot. “Part of it is that there are 250 units, so naturally you’ll get economies of scale,” Mak says of the common charges. “And in general the amenities that the building has aren’t the types that cost a ton, like a pool.”
Privacy in the great outdoors
One of the building’s best assets is the shared outdoor space tucked between the tower side on Livingston Street and the shorter side on Schermerhorn Street. This area has a greenhouse with seating and a few fenced-in patios for certain units, while the tower’s roof deck has landscaping and private cabanas. The shared laundry room is a must, since the building can’t accommodate in-unit washer-dryers, and the fitness center, lounge and game rooms — with a pool table — add convenience and entertainment value.
Between on-trend shopping and classic brownstones
At the south end of Downtown Brooklyn, this building is near all of that neighborhood’s shopping, dining and transit options, but only a few blocks above quieter Boerum Hill. Just north, Fulton Street Mall has Macy’s and major clothing stores, and a little east is City Point, a mall containing Trader Joe’s, Target and the DeKalb Market Hall food court. Residents can also walk 1 mile west to leave the high rises behind for green spaces and sports facilities in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Steps from subways and iconic bridges
Commuting from 189 Schermerhorn is easy, thanks to the six subway stations with almost a dozen train lines, all half a mile or less from the building. Residents are also near entrances to the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, which they can walk over or grab a CitiBike from down the block and ride into Manhattan. Car owners can park in the public garage below the building and enjoy quick access to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, which reaches north and south Brooklyn.
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Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
High Crime
Crime Score®
8/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
92/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 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
Boerum Playground
8 min walk
Basketball
Trails
Playground
Columbus Park
8 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
North Pacific Playground
9 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Korean War Veterans Plaza
11 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Cobble Hill Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
McLaughlin Park
12 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Walt Whitman Park
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Thomas Greene Playground
15 min walk
Basketball
Pool
Skateboard
Cadman Plaza Park
15 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Schools
Source:
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