A contemporary but classic tower on the edge of Morningside Heights
Walking up to Claremont Hall isn’t much different than approaching any of the historic buildings along Claremont Avenue in Morningside Heights, with the scale and design taking cues from nearby Riverside Church and Union Theological Seminary. “Design-wise, Claremont Hall is classic and elegant. It feels like it was always meant to be here,” according to Danika Dorsey, the senior sales director at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, who is heading up sales in the 41-story tower. The project was helmed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects — known for melding traditional and contemporary elements — which oversaw details from its Gothic-inspired stone facade to the custom Italian kitchens to its LEED certification. It is one of the area’s only high-rises, allowing for 360-degree views. The site for the tower was carved out of Union Theological Seminary’s Morningside Heights campus and overlooks its stone buildings and landscaped courtyard. “It’s very quiet here because we’re surrounded on all sides by Union,” the agent adds. Many buyers hail from the academic community in the neighborhood, which includes Columbia University, The Manhattan School of Music and Teachers College. Others are coming to the area for the first time, Dorsey says, and the building’s concierge organizes regular events to “help neighbors get to know each other.”
Overlooking Riverside Church, Grant’s Tomb and the Hudson River
There are 165 units, ranging from one-bedroom homes to four-bedroom residences, with floors four through nine dedicated to housing Union’s faculty. Several homes have oversized bay or cathedral-shaped windows, while others have private outdoor space. A 19th-floor model apartment features views of Riverside Church’s nearly 100-year-old tower with the Hudson River behind it. Other residences overlook Grant’s Tomb, the George Washington Bridge or the city skyline. Units feature open dining, living and kitchens with Calacatta Laza quartz countertops and Bosch appliances, and all units have a washer and dryer. One popular layout has been the one-bedroom plus an office, Dorsey notes. “It has two full bathrooms, so people can have guests stay comfortably.” One-bedroom homes start at around $1.2 million, and those with office space cost around $1.65 million. Two-bedroom units start at $1.75 million but rise to around $3.6 million for one on the 35th floor. A three-bedroom home starts at around $2.8 million, while a four-bedroom residence costs $7 million or more. One of the penthouses sold for just under $10 million in January 2024, setting a record for the neighborhood's most expensive residence.
Reading nooks, a craft center and a saltwater pool in a former refectory
Community is an integral part of the culture at Claremont Hall, and there’s a full-time concierge working to cultivate it. “It’s not just an app. It’s an actual person with an actual desk where you can find her,” Dorsey says, adding that she regularly sets up author events, concerts and classes for residents. There’s also a doorman and a 24-hour lobby attendant. There are several common areas on the ground level, from a study to a dining room and library with an adjacent catering kitchen. Additional amenities are on floors two and three, including an acoustically insulated music room complete with instruments; The Little Castle playroom, set up with play areas and two reading nooks overlooking the Union courtyard; and The Workshop, a stocked craft room for artists of all ages. The Parkview Lounge and Terrace overlooks Sakura Park, and a gym, yoga studio and a 48-foot saltwater pool are also part of the package. “Almost all of Claremont Hall is new construction, but the pool area is a historic restoration. It used to be Union’s refectory and has the original windows, timbered ceiling and chandeliers," according to Dorsey. The pool is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. There is a parking garage on-site, with spots available for purchase. To cultivate community outside the building, the developers set up a $5 million fund “to protect and support its neighbors” in Morningside Heights.
A serene block in Morningside Heights
The tower’s main entrance is on Claremont Avenue, which “is so quiet, beautiful, clean and serene,” according to Dorsey. With Riverside Church and Union across the street and Sakura Park on the corner, that’s no surprise. Grant’s Tomb — which has a large plaza where musicians often play in warm weather — and Riverside Park are around the corner. Residents will have to walk a few blocks to find a coffee shop or deli, as there’s no commercial space on Claremont Avenue. There are groceries at the Appletree Market on Amsterdam and West 120th Street, with a cluster of restaurants starting at the corner. Additional shops and eateries further south along Broadway. Pisticci, an Italian trattoria on Le Salle Street, is a hidden gem.
Catch the 1 train at Columbia University
The 1 train stops on Broadway at West 116th Street, near one of Columbia’s main gates. There are also several buses, including the M60, which stops at Broadway and West 120th Street and has service along West 125th Street going into Queens and culminating at LaGuardia Airport. Drivers can also access the Henry Hudson Parkway via West 125th Street.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
95/ 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
Sakura Park
2 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Sheltering Arms Playground
10 min walk
Picnic Area
Pool
Trails
Roosevelt Triangle
11 min walk
West Harlem Piers Park
11 min walk
Hancock Park
11 min walk
Picnic Area
Morningside Park
12 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Bike Trails
Julia Gabriel People's Garden
14 min walk
Trails
Lafayette Square
15 min walk
Annunciation Playground
2 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Schools
Source:
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