A well-maintained co-op community on Staten Island's North Shore
The “fifth” New York City borough, Staten Island often gets a bad rap. Dispelling unfavorable — even comical — stereotypes is the vast, somewhat suburban area’s quaint village-like communities lining an expansive coastline and filling forested hills. Staten Island punches above its weight in many respects. For one, there’s a thriving food scene here that isn’t just beholden to an entrenched Italian American and growing East Asian influence. It’s inclusive of every cuisine imaginable. Green space and new public infrastructure projects abound. The cost of living is also significantly less than in some of the other boroughs. Bar those Millennium Mansions found in certain upmarket pockets concentrated toward the center of the island, homes here are considerably larger and competitively priced. If that’s not enough, waterfront complexes like Sea Cliff Towers benefit from sweeping vistas of not one, not two, but three skylines: Jersey City, Lower Manhattan and ever-soaring Downtown Brooklyn.
Some of the 122 units in the nine-story building — rising well above the bungalows and colonial-style homes in its immediate vicinity — frame glimpses of Lower New York Bay to the south and even the Atlantic Ocean farther afield. “It’s the only residence of its type and scale in the Fort Wadsworth and Shore Acres neighborhoods and so it has unobstructed views,” says Kevin Bryant, an agent with Compass. Other than generously proportioned and balconied residences here, the well-kept, 1964-built co-op has an ample suite of amenities: everything from a heated pool with adjoining shower facilities and outdoor barbeque area to a basement-level entertainment room. There’s more than enough parking here, either as deeded spots within the property’s lot or along the adjacent cul-de-sac. “Most of the waterfront compounds on Staten Island’s North Shore are destination locations, meaning that one cannot pass through to get somewhere else,” says Desiree Darden, an agent with R New York and a long-time area resident. “This ensures that they’re incredibly safe and intimate.” Even with the nearby Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge serving as a vital link to the rest of New York and as the starting point of the New York City Marathon each November, Sea Cliff Towers maintains a tranquil atmosphere.
Expansive studios to two bedrooms with varying degrees of renovation
While larger-than-average alcove studios and one-bedrooms with well over 700 square feet of space sell for between $195,000 to $280,000, two-bedrooms with at least 1,000 square feet go for $300,000 to $420,000. Comparably sized units in Downtown Manhattan can easily exceed the $1 million mark. There’s also the possibility of combining residences into three- and four-bedroom homes, based on board approval. Most come with private and additional shared balconies flanking all four sides of the structure. As is expected from a building of this age, the state of renovation varies greatly from unit to unit. A number are still outfitted in late 1990s and early 2000s finishes but present as great opportunities for new homeowners to make their own mark by introducing comprehensive updates. Living rooms and bedrooms are large as are the full-scale kitchens, more akin to a suburban house than a cramped urban apartment. While residences cannot contain in-unit washer/dryers, there’s a sizable laundry room with state-of-the-art machines in the basement. Sea Cliff Towers is ADA-compliant with wheelchair access and elevators. The common areas, including a stately marble-clad lobby, are powered by roof-top solar panels.
Everything North Shore Staten Island has to offer and decent transportation
“Staten Island is the greenest borough with 30% of the area dedicated to parks, preserves, botanical gardens and historical sites,” Darden describes. “Newark Airport is 20 minutes away. We really have the best restaurants here.” While Sea Cliff Towers is tucked away in a quieter section of the waterfront — near the quaint Shore Acres fishing pond and far more expansive Fort Wadsworth, Gateway National Recreation Area Park — a handful of these top-ranked and locally beloved haunts are close by. They include 1950s-style American diner J’s On The Bay and long-established Italian bakery Bella Beans Cafe. Neighborhood watering hole Bay Street Tavern is just down the street. The commercial thoroughfares of nearby Dongan Hills, Stapleton Heights and Rosebank are lined with a healthy mix of owner-operated and essential service businesses. The latter has Market Fresh Supermarket. Further north, Staten Island Ferry-adjacent Saint George is home to a thriving downtown with retail, culture, and yes, even more great restaurants. A short drive away, the sprawling Staten Island Mall contains over 200 name-brand stores.
Most residents have cars and can quickly get onto Interstate 278 — connecting to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It’s a bit more challenging for those that rely on public transportation to commute into Brooklyn or Manhattan. If necessary, they can do so by taking the express SIM33C or SIM1C bus from the Narrows Road South/Fingerboard Road stop, a 20-minute walk south. A trip to the Financial District takes just under an hour.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
36/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49/ 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
Arthur Von Briesen Park Dog Run
9 min walk
Arthur Von Briesen Park
10 min walk
De Matti Playground
3 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Arrochar Playground
4 min drive
Basketball
Soccer
Trails
Tappen Park
5 min drive
Picnic Area
Eibs Pond Park
5 min drive
Fishing
Trails
Old Town Playground
6 min drive
Basketball
Pool
Trails
South Beach
6 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Bike Trails
Trails
John J. Carty Park
7 min drive
Basketball
Tennis
Trails
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
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