One of Brooklyn’s early towers with a welcoming community
When Kensington’s 11-story co-op at 303 Beverley Rd. was built in 1956, it was one of the tallest residential buildings in Brooklyn. A brochure for “Beverly Towers,” originally constructed as a rental property, promised tenants a “100% fire-proof and air-conditioned building” with features including medicine cabinets with sliding doors, vanitories (a combined bathroom sink basin and dressing table) and Venetian blinds. While these elements likely didn’t stand the test of time, many features of the 150-unit building, which converted to a co-op in the 1980s, did. Those include parquet floors, picture windows, “lots of closets,” an on-site garage and laundry facilities in the basement.
“I really like living here,” says Anne, an eight-year resident of the building, now also known as the Beverley Imperial, who declined to provide her last name. She confirms the abundance of closets and the co-op’s solid 1950s construction. “We can’t even hear our next-door neighbors. There are very solid walls and floors.”
Anne describes the community as warm and welcoming, including many families. “People are friendly. There’s an unspoken code — you say ‘hello’ and greet people in the elevator.” Community events throughout the year include pumpkin carving, building-wide trick-or-treating and a summer yard sale on the sidewalk in front of the building.
Adding to the sense of community is the co-op’s staff, which includes longtime doorman Gordon Dey. “Gordon is the nicest guy. He’s the most positive, upbeat person. It’s a pleasure to have him in the lobby every day,” she says. “My kids have grown up talking to Gordon.”
Large apartments with conversion potential, some with balconies
Homes in the co-op include mostly studios to two-bedrooms and select units have balconies. Compass agent Tom Borrero, who has done business in the building, reports that the units’ generous proportions and flexible layouts lend themselves to the addition of a third bedroom or home office. “You can grow into an apartment in whichever way life takes you,” he says. “And the building is amenable to changes internally.”
Anne describes the views as “great,” saying she can see the Freedom Tower and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge from her apartment. Studios a maximum of 610 square feet list for up to $299,000, and one-bedrooms as large as 1,290 square feet ask $365,000 or more. Two-bedroom units measuring up to 1,350 square feet are priced at $520,000 and higher. “The price points in Kensington remain affordable by New York City standards,” says Borrero. “It’s an area people are moving to.”
Responsive staff, a parking garage and community perks
The co-op has a full-time door attendant, live-in super and on-site management. “The staff is very responsive,” says Anne. “Everything is in good working order.” The co-op has a robust website where policies, contact information, and resources are posted and there is an active building Facebook group. The co-op’s exterior features pleasing seasonal plantings and an extra-wide sidewalk that runs the entire block. “I like the nice wide sidewalk that’s got dappled sunlight, especially in the summer. It’s pleasant to sit out there,” Anne says. The shared laundry room is open 24 hours a day, and bike storage is available for a nominal fee. A free book exchange is located in the basement, and a bin collects clothing donations. The building has a parking garage with a waitlist that charges $225 monthly. Cats are permitted; dogs are subject to approval, and 90% financing is allowed.
Central Kensington close to all essentials
The co-op is located in the heart of Kensington, around the corner from one of the neighborhood’s busiest thoroughfares, Church Avenue. A Met Fresh supermarket is on the same block, and two 24-hour grocery stores are nearby on Church Avenue. Two of Brooklyn’s largest green spaces, Prospect Park and the historic Green-wood Cemetery, are about a 15-minute walk from the building. Bangladeshi restaurants and food markets at Church and McDonald avenues earn the intersection the name “Little Bangladesh,” and dining and nightlife can be found on Church Avenue, east of Ocean Parkway. Open Street Kensington Plaza hosts free public events, concerts and community celebrations and the neighborhood is known for its street fairs in the summer months.
Four subway lines within walking distance and major roadways nearby
The F and G trains at Church Avenue can be reached in less than five minutes on foot, and several bus lines run on Church and McDonald avenue, connecting to other sections of Brooklyn. The B and Q trains stop at Beverley Road, about a 20-minute walk from the building. Major roads connecting to points in north Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens include the Prospect Expressway, Route 27 and Interstate 278. Travel to JFK Airport is about 45 minutes.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
96/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
98/ 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
Albemarle Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Dome Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Trails
Kensington Dog Run
11 min walk
Dog Park
Captain John McKenna IV Park
13 min walk
Seeley Park
14 min walk
Playground
Thomas J. Cuite Park
15 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Digilio Playground
1 min drive
Trails
Pickleball
Playground
Parade Ground
2 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Brizzi Playground
3 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Schools
Source:
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