Now a co-op, this former Mitchell-Lama complex offers gated green space
Set among Civic Center’s municipal buildings, the Chatham Green Apartments date back to 1960. The area, tucked in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, used to be part of the Five Points slum before it was cleared and rehabilitated. Architecture firms like Kelly & Gruzen played a role in the transition, designing government, residential and commercial buildings, including the Chatham Green Apartments, for the new Civic Center neighborhood. “The complex started out as Mitchell-Lama, middle-income housing, but it converted to a co-op in the ’90s,” says Jean Lo, president of real estate firm Cicada International. Since the conversion, the co-op is no longer bound by the program’s strict income limits, and its units list at market-rate prices.
Today, the co-op's neighbors include One Police Plaza, the headquarters of the New York City Police Department, and Smith Houses, a 12-building public housing complex. Lo, who has sold upwards of 20 units within the Chatham Green Apartments, says buyers appreciate that it’s a gated community with private outdoor space. That’s especially notable considering the complex is at the intersection of Civic Center, Chinatown and the Financial District, all neighborhoods with minimal greenery. “The co-op consists of three buildings situated on over four acres of land,” she says. “It’s interesting because it’s a curved, S-shaped building, so it doesn’t look that massive since you can only see part of it at a time. Kelly & Gruzen did a good job of minimizing the building’s footprint and maximizing the green space.”
Outdoor areas and community programming enhance residents’ lifestyle
The co-op’s land is divided in two, on either side of the curvilinear building. “The east-facing side [along St. James Place] is much bigger, so you get a lot of grass and tree canopy,” Lo says. “Children tend to hang out on that side because there’s a playground. On the other side [facing Park Row], you mostly have parking, plus a small green stretch.” Depending on availability, residents can lease a spot in the outdoor parking lot. Due to the police headquarters next door, cars (including taxis and rideshares) must pass through a security checkpoint before reaching the lot. The co-op itself is divided into three buildings, although they’re all connected at the basement level. Each has its own lobby, two elevators and a laundry room. The whole co-op shares a simple community room and a library. What the co-op lacks in luxe amenities, it makes up for in programming. “In the lobby, there's a monitor where they display all of the activities going on in the co-op,” Lo shares. “People can also access the bulletin in their online portal. They have reading groups, knitting groups and even tai chi. There are a lot of community activities run by the residents.”
Over 400 units are spread across 21 floors
According to Lo, yet another appeal relates to the co-op’s natural setting. “The best part of the units has to be the cross ventilation,” she says. “Because of the building’s narrow design, each unit faces both east and west, so if you were to open the windows, you get a nice breeze in the summertime. People really love that. If it’s not too humid, you don’t even need to turn on the AC.” Units above the seventh floor come with small balconies, and those on the highest floors have views of both bridges, the East River and DUMBO. One caveat is that the kitchens tend to be small, but some shareholders have expanded them during renovations.
Unparalleled connectivity in the heart of Manhattan
Lo adds that the vast majority of units are owner-occupied, perhaps a product of the co-op’s low monthlies. “The building is anchored by two clusters of commercial rentals on either side, and that provides sustainable income for the co-op,” Lo explains. “That’s part of the reason the maintenance fees stay relatively low compared to other buildings in the area. And the prices here are very reasonable.” In recent years, studios have ranged from $399,000 to $500,000, while one-bedrooms have cost between $580,000 and $750,000. For a two-bedroom unit, buyers can expect to pay somewhere between $850,000 and $1.08 million. Prices for three-bedroom residences hover around $1.3 million, although a high-floor unit with a great view can command as much as $1.72 million.
Residents can quickly access several downtown Manhattan neighborhoods
“This is definitely a convenient location to be in,” Lo says. “The co-op is technically in the Civic Center, but it’s very close to the Financial District, South Street Seaport, Chinatown and the Lower East Side, so you get everything going on there.” South Street Seaport — with its cobblestoned streets, charming shops and eateries, food hall and waterfront concert venue — is 10 minutes away on foot. At the co-op’s northeast corner, Chinatown has local favorites like Jin Mei Dumpling and Shanghai 21, as well as small grocers with regional goods. Just south of the complex, SuperFresh Supermarket has a wider array of products. The closest subway stations include the 4, 5, 6, J and Z trains, and four bus routes operate within a few blocks of the co-op. Drivers can quickly access FDR Drive, as well as the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The ferry is also available from Pier 11, but it will take residents roughly 20 minutes to walk there.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 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
James Madison Plaza
1 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Alfred E Smith Playground
4 min walk
Basketball
Volleyball
Playground
Columbus Park
5 min walk
Drumgoole Plaza
6 min walk
Trails
Parking Lot
Thomas Paine Park
6 min walk
Trails
Concessions
Collect Pond Park
7 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Martin F Tanahey Playground
7 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
East River Esplanade - Catherine St
7 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
River
African Burial Ground National Monument
8 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Multi-Purpose Field
Schools
Source:
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