Competitively priced South Harlem condo with Central Park views
Wrapping two sides of Frederick Douglass Circle, on the northwestern corner of Central Park, Towers on the Park is a South Harlem condominium with solid bones and many advantages of the surrounding neighborhood. Its two colossal 20-story towers and shorter adjoining structures form along either side of West 110th Street as it slopes up toward the St. John the Divine cathedral, Morningside Heights and Columbia University’s main campus. The complex also contains locally beloved coffee shop Cafe Amrita, Larry’s Freewheeling bike store — essential for making good use of the nearby park’s 6-mile car-free loop road — and gourmet grocery store Central Markets. Residents living in Towers on the Park’s 598 units benefit from much of what this rapidly changing, albeit historically significant, area has to offer. “It’s a quiet and leafy pocket of Manhattan,” says Christopher Butt, a real estate agent with Corcoran. “There’s a lot of convenience here. The subway stops right outside the main entrance at 301 West 110th Street.” Cathedral Parkway Station is served by A, B, C and D subways. “Six bus lines (the M2, 3, 4, 7, 10 and 116) stop here as well. It’s easy to go all the way to The Cloisters, across to the Costco on East 116th Street and even down to the East Village. There’s a farmer’s market every Saturday morning at Morningside Park, toward the rear. Central Park is right out front.”
Prefabricated concrete buildings with well-priced residences
Completed in 1989 with an efficient prefabricated concrete slab construction, Towers on the Park was originally developed for medium-income residents and subsidized by The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Though this status wore off after 25 years, as Butt notes, the complex remains relatively affordable. One bedrooms with 589 square feet of space average out at $600,000. Two bedrooms with 782 to 909 square feet fetch around $900,000. There are also a handful of three to four bedrooms priced between $1.1 million and $1.9 million.
Like any older condominium, conditions vary greatly from unit to unit and often reflect alterations made by previous owners. Given that the complex was developed to be affordable, the residences aren’t particularly luxurious. “For buyers looking for a project and who are ok with 8-foot-high ceilings, there’s great opportunity here for them to do their own gut-renovation,” Butt concludes. “Where else can one find a one bedroom that towers over the park in a condo building with door attendants for below $700,000? It’s a great option for both people seeking out starter and downsizer homes.”
Sufficient amenities but also the perks of the park, South Harlem and the Upper West Side
The northside of 843-acre activity-rich Central Park is particularly hilly and tranquil. The North Woods section has hidden features like waterfalls and ravines. It often feels as though one is no longer in the middle of a bustling metropolis. Great Hill and The Pool are ideal spots for picnicking and recently renovated Lasker Rink and pool is soon to reopen (as of fall 2024). Meandering walking and hiking paths lead to the well-kept North Meadow baseball fields and the Central Park Tennis Center. Toward the east, the Conservatory Garden and Untermyer Fountain are picturesque destinations not overrun by tourists. “If that weren’t enough, Towers on the Park complex contains two especially spacious private gardens,” Butt notes. Other amenities include 24/7 attended lobbies, live-in supers, large laundry rooms, cold storage and a well-maintained community room that can be rented out for private events. “Though there’s a waiting list to get a spot, the incorporated garage is another great convenience,” he adds. “We also have an in-complex dry cleaner, nail salon and wine store. They may be putting in a gym, but it’s a work in progress.”
South Harlem is a burgeoning neighborhood with a deep connection to Black history. Legendary locales like the Apollo Theater and platforms like the Studio Museum hold fast to that culturally impactful heritage. Frederick Douglass Boulevard is lined with a raft of owner-operated restaurants reflective of the area’s diversity. They include southern comfort food mainstay Melba’s, popular watering hole Mess Hall and Mexican haunt Cantina Taqueria & Tequila Bar. Six blocks north, West 116th Street anchors microneighborhood Little Senegal and features several eateries and stores specializing in West African cuisine and products. The upper part of the Upper West Side, otherwise known as Manhattan Valley, is also suffused with a slew of food and drink options: popular bars like Amity Hall Uptown and long-established French bistro Cafe Du Soleil. Though catering more to Columbia University and Barnard College students, Morningside Heights has its own roster of hospitality institutions, including The Hungarian Pastry Shop.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
80/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
92/ 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
Electric Ladybug Garden
4 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Botanical Gardens
Booker T Washington Playground
5 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Soccer
Lafayette Square
5 min walk
West 104th Street Garden
6 min walk
Julia Gabriel People's Garden
8 min walk
Trails
Morningside Park
9 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Bike Trails
Samuel Marx Triangle
10 min walk
Martin Luther King, Jr. Playground
11 min walk
Playground
A. Philip Randolph Square
11 min walk
Schools
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