Tight-knit community near Coney Island attractions, Brighton Beach and the boardwalk
Despite the fact that Trump Village contains the Trump name, now associated with the newer Manhattan buildings made of glass, gold and glitz, Trump Village is a world away, a time warp where crying seagulls circle identical brick towers and the saltwater air erodes balconies. Here, the Trump name comes from former president Donald Trump’s father, Fred Trump, best known for his middle-class housing developments. This included Trump Village, developed under the Mitchell-Lama program in 1964. It consists of seven 23-story brick buildings designed by famed architect Morris Lapidus, best known for the Miami Modern architectural style that dominates Miami Beach and exemplified by the Fontainebleau Hotel. Lapidus took a more practical approach with Trump Village, resulting in nondescript red-brick buildings that are more of a footnote in his biography. As a fan of Lapidus’ work, the elder Trump had already recruited him for earlier projects by telling him, “Name any fee you like. You're my architect, design everything,” The New York Times shared as part of Lapidus’ obituary in 2001.
Trump Village originally included Sections 3 and 4, made up of multiple buildings with multiple addresses in a park-like setting along Neptune Avenue and West Fifth Street, and 3000 Ocean Parkway, two buildings along Ocean Parkway. It also included the former Trump Village Shopping Center on Neptune Avenue. All of the towers were rentals until 2007, when they decided to leave the Mitchell-Lama program and become private. Sections 3 and 4 voted to become co-ops, meaning renters could buy their units for as little as $3,000. Section 3 is still called Trump Village and Section 4 is now technically Trump Village West. Meanwhile, 3000 Ocean Parkway was rebranded as Shorecrest Towers. It became upscale, market-rate rentals redesigned by Andres Escobar and no longer have anything to do with Trump Village. Sal Raziano of SPR Realty has specialized in Trump Village for years. “It’s its own little neighborhood within itself. The way it was set up with shopping, buses and trains, you came across the same people,” he says. For example, “The shopping center accommodated Trump Village and maybe a few smaller buildings nearby and was specifically built for those residents. Nobody was traveling from Bensonhurst or Bay Ridge to shop there. It’s a very tight-knit community. I don’t have any others in the city like that. It’s still a very desirable complex.”
Uniform floor plans, but apartments have been renovated to various degrees
Sections 3 and 4 are basically mirror images of each other, with 1,600 apartments in the former and 1,100 in the latter. Both sections contain identical one-to-three-bedroom layouts and include terraces, galley kitchens, primary bedrooms large enough for a king-sized bed with room to spare, en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets. Depending on the location of the building and unit, some also feature full or partial ocean views. “The main difference is they’re run by different boards and management companies,” says Raziano.
Many units were gut-renovated even before becoming co-ops, but it’s not uncommon to find apartments in their original condition, as evidenced by Formica counters, linoleum floors and no dishwashers. It’s also not uncommon to find original tenants who have stayed for decades, or who have family members living in the same building. Apartments are generally quiet, with the exception of train noise: Elevated trains frequently and ceaselessly rumble past Trump Village. The level of noise depends on the building and its proximity to the train; for many, the train becomes background noise, but for others, it remains noise pollution. Raziano notes that the new market-rate rental towers going up at 532 Neptune Ave. function as a sound barrier, making the complex a little quieter. (On the flip side, they also block views for some units.) Most one-bedrooms offer between 700 and 800 square feet and can be bought for as little as $300,000. Two-bedrooms span 900 to 1,200 square feet with summer 2024 listings asking $400,000 on average. Three-bedrooms tend to offer 1,250 square feet and jump into the $500,000-plus range, but represent a smaller portion of layouts.
Park-like grounds, play space and parking
Trump Village is all about the community, and has been since the beginning. This is apparent in the buildings and grounds themselves. For example, Section 4 contains a newer indoor play space and outdoor playground while Section 3 offers a dry cleaner. Both sections have spacious, brightly lit laundry rooms where neighbors run into each other, just as they run into each other on the many benches spread out in front of all the buildings. It’s common to find residents hanging out here year-round and at all hours of the day. Well-manicured lawns have always been a co-op feature, and there’s even a dog park now, a once-unheard-of amenity since pets were banned until recent years. Now dogs 35 pounds and under are allowed. The various buildings are also well-maintained, whether they have new balconies and double-pane windows or updated lobbies, hallways, elevators and laundry rooms. “From a realtor’s point of view, they maintain those buildings very well compared to other co-op complexes that I deal with,” says Raziano.
Other amenities have stayed the same for many years, from 24/7 security on the grounds to key-fob building entry, although apartment intercom systems have been upgraded to touch screens connected to cell phones. There’s also 24/7 maintenance, security cameras, on-site management and parking spots that Section 4 can purchase starting at $55,000, plus another $70 a month for maintenance (e.g., snow removal). Section 3 only rents spots and maintains a decade-long waitlist. Despite parking costs and woes, it’s worth noting that Section 4 has never had a mortgage, meaning buyers only have to pay maintenance costs, which include all utilities. Raziano shares that the most expensive three-bedroom unit only has a $1,250 monthly maintenance fee.
Walking distance to Coney Island amenities and Brighton Beach necessities
Today, the area once considered Coney Island is now technically West Brighton, a newer neighborhood named for the residential sliver between Coney Island and Brighton Beach. This area is also called Little Odessa for the large number of Russian immigrants that have moved here since the late 1970s, drawn to the many Russian businesses in nearby Brighton Beach. The surrounding streets aren’t as densely packed as the adjacent areas, but still close enough to shopping, dining and entertainment. Just a few blocks away is Riegelmann Boardwalk, more commonly called Coney Island Boardwalk, a 2.7-mile stretch between Coney Island and Manhattan Beach.
The boardwalk itself is a popular community hangout for all ages at all hours, from dog owners walking Russian Wolfhounds to groups of teenagers hanging out after dinner to those out for a morning jog.
Tourists also head to the Coney Island section in summer for the longstanding Luna Park, formerly called Astroland. But Luna Park is actually the original name from 1903 and maintains its old-fashioned amusement park vibe. In fact, it’s still home to the Cyclone, a wooden roller coaster that debuted in 1927. It’s both a New York City Landmark and one of the oldest coasters in the U.S. Making use of the same name, the minor league baseball team Brooklyn Cyclones, a feeder team for the Mets, is just next door, making it possible to watch a game for a fraction of seeing the Mets play, while looking out at the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby is the original (and still very popular) location of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs on Surf Avenue, also home of the annual eponymous hot-dog eating contest on the Fourth of July “Coney Island has been revamped to a certain degree in the last 10 years,” says Raziano. “It has a new look and is much nicer, safer and cleaner than it used to be.”
Locals tend to head toward the boardwalk’s opposite end for both the beach and Russian restaurants lining it, like Tatiana’s. The beach is also popular every year on New Year’s Day for the famed Polar Bear Plunge, a televised event capturing brave souls running into the frigid ocean to celebrate the new year. It’s worth mentioning that the boardwalk also draws thousands to its annual Mermaid Parade in June, an only-in-NYC kind of affair that celebrates Coney Island with outrageous sea-themed costumes and floats. Not least, The New York Aquarium, located between the cacophony of Coney Island and families hanging out on the Russian side, is considered the oldest aquarium still operating in the U.S. While small, it’s home to sea lions and features a shark tunnel.
It’s impossible to miss the handball courts of Asser Levy Park when heading to and from Trump Village toward the boardwalk, and even harder to find a time when they’re not occupied. This pocket park next to the boardwalk also offers a playground and live music throughout the summer. The neighborhood is starting to change with more buildings going up and businesses to serve them. For necessities, a new shopping center on Neptune Avenue behind Trump Village replaced the original shopping complex, and includes anchor tenant NetCost supermarket, which is geared toward the large Russian population.
Subways, buses and Belt Parkway are readily accessible
“A big draw is its close proximity to the beach and shopping, and, if you work in Manhattan, you don’t need a car,” says Raziano. “The biggest change is it’s becoming like Manhattan because a lot of people buying now don’t have cars.” They’re not really needed as Trump Village is surrounded by the F at Neptune Avenue, the Q at Ocean Parkway and the F and Q at West Eighth Street-New York Aquarium. The elevated stations are not accessible; for that residents need to catch a bus to the Stillwell Avenue station that’s served by the N, Q, F and D trains. The B36 and B68 are among the buses that stop at Trump Village. Plus, ride-share services have become more popular down here thanks to demand. For car owners, the Belt Parkway is just beyond Neptune Avenue and connects Brooklyn with Staten Island, Manhattan and Queens. Ocean Parkway is another main artery for drivers, buses and cyclists and extends all the way north to Prospect Park.
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Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
85/ 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
Century Playground
5 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Asser Levy Park
6 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Luna Park Playground
12 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Grady Playground
12 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Seaside Park
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Playground
Amphitheater
Homecrest Playground
4 min drive
Trails
Playground
Waterpark
Kaiser Park
4 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Fishing
Scarangella Park
4 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Marlboro Playground
5 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Schools
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