Affordable condo in the center of otherwise expensive Midtown Manhattan
“When people from out-of-town imagine what it's like being in the heart of New York, they think of Midtown,” says Harry DiOrio, an agent with Compass. This densely packed-in neighborhood is indeed home to some of the city's most iconic cultural and commercial attractions as well as it’s center of business. Though living here comes with a lot of advantages, not in the least great connectivity, it also comes at a premium, especially when considering the exorbitant price of sprawling condos in new developments like the supertalls that have gone up along Billionaires’ Row. Tower 53 is the exception. Built as a rental building in the late-1960s, the 38-story tower was converted into a condominium in the mid-1980s; a time when — DiOrio notes — most comparable buildings where being turned into co-ops. Pedestalled by a nine-story mixed used retail, office and institutional podium — the tenants of which help flip the bill to maintain common areas — the residence includes 208 modestly sized units starting on the 10th floor; many with large recently updated terraces and others, combined. “Some even have glimpses of Central Park, six streets north,” DiOrio adds.
Well maintained studios to two bedrooms and a handful of combined three bedrooms
He also notes that Tower 53 was built before sheetrock became a common building material. Instead, more traditional masonry walls were installed between residences and though it’s slightly harder to remove them when layouts are expanded or altered, they procide better acoustic buffering. That said, there are several combined three bedrooms that come on the market every now and then as well as the option for buyers to purchased two adjoining units and merge them at their own discretion. Case in point: Unit18AB, one of DiOrio’s listings in Summer 2024. The suggested 1,550 square foot residence — selling for a competitive $2.2 Million — features one of the previously mentioned balconies, facing south. One of the conjoined units contains two bedrooms, while the second is, ostensibly, a junior one bedroom. The kitchens are small and sectioned off but with a newly imagined spatial distribution, there’s plenty of room to include a large chef-quality outfit with top-line appliances and finishes.
While sizeable alcove studios and one bedrooms — the majority of Tower 53’s stock — often sell for around $700,000, a handful of two bedrooms average out at $1.3 million. Four-bedroom units include a penthouse with over 3,000 square feet of space and the potential for two additional bedrooms, or simply a separate rental unit, altogether sold for only $3.9 million in 2013. As with any older building, the state of renovation varies greatly from unit to unit, but all are equipped with central air and large picture windows taking-in ample amounts of natural light.
A solid soft product and a standard suite of amenities but also all Midtown Manhattan has to offer
Along with its balconied terraces, Tower 53’s 24/7-helmed lobby recently underwent a complete renovation. Though the building’s offering of amenity spaces — other than the 10th floor lobby and well-kept rooftop — is limited, it's truly the residence’s location that makes all the difference. While the Museum of Modern Art is less than two blocks east, most Theater District venues are a short stroll away. Nearby Columbus Circle is home to the Museum of Arts and Design as well as a sizeable mall with 40 premium stores, ten prestigious dining experiences and a sizeable Whole Foods grocery store. Midtown itself is suffused in top-ranked restaurants, swanky bars and a few low-key haunts like the legendary Burger Joint. Central Park and its 843 acres of activity-rich green space is close-by as well.
Right outside Tower 53’s entrance is the 7th Avenue subway station, crisscrossed by the B, D and E lines. The N, Q, R and W lines serve a station three blocks north while residents can also grab the 1 at 50th Street. For those of them looking to get out of town using the adjacent Henry Hudson Parkway or the Queensboro Bridge, the building's podium also houses a sizable third party operated garage.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 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
745 Plaza
4 min walk
Picnic Area
Channel Gardens
9 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
Ramon Aponte Park
11 min walk
Playground
Waterpark
MMC Plaza
11 min walk
Picnic Area
50th Street Commons
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Grand Army Plaza
12 min walk
Three Bryant Park
13 min walk
Picnic Area
Hell's Kitchen Park
14 min walk
Basketball
Tennis
Trails
McCaffrey Playground
15 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Waterpark
Schools
Source:
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