Digging The Second Avenue Subway

This video ran last week on CBS Sunday morning, but it's a very well done piece about the progress of the Second Avenue Subway. As someone who has almost always lived off of Second Avenue in my 14 years in Manhattan, the Second Avenue Subway has been a bit of an urban legend. Would it ever really happen? Now that it is underway, it's still only three stops long.

But it's needed. I've done two tours of duty living on the Upper East Side, and the subways in the morning are reason enough for me to pause before ever moving back. Even if the subway only goes three stops, and through the most residential sections, maybe it will be an improvement.

This Is What One Wears To Preschool Orientation In New York City

Myths and legends abound when it comes to preschools in New York City. In some parts of town -- I'm looking at you, Upper East Side -- the process is akin to a blood sport. There are stories of frantic phone calls made the day after Labor Day weekend in order to score a limited amount of applications. Whispers that you can't even get into some schools without a sibling already enrolled. Some reportedly cost $20,000 a year, and that's if you're a Seinfeld.

When you live anywhere else in Manhattan, say, Murray Hill, there is no such thing as a Top Tier Preschool. (And anyone who buys into the idea of a Top Tier Preschool needs their head examined.)

Everywhere else in New York City, the preschool process is a relatively civilized ordeal of appointments, tours and eventually a pleasant phone call welcoming you into the fold. The more schools you see the more you realize where your kid would do well and where he would be downright frightened. Even if you are lazy and wait unti August to find a preschool, you can and you will get into one. This is New York City, after all. People defect to the suburbs at the last minute all the time. A deal on a house with a yard comes through and all of a sudden you have a spot.

I went to Andre's preschool orientation and left pleased with the decision. His class is quite small and the student body is diverse, which for me is a major bonus. As of September 5th the boy is going to school full time. In New York City. No blood was shed in the process.

East 94th Street, 1800s Style

My first apartment was on the corner of East 94th Street and Second Avenue. I always liked the neighborhood, even though it's in the upper echelons of the Upper East Side and it took forever to get downtown, or even just to Midtown.

This weekend I found these two photos on Pinterest of the East 94th Street area from the mid 1800s.

Houses Near 94th Street, including the home of Dr. Valentine Mott. 1853-1854. (Photo via MCNY)

Source: gothamist.com via Pauline on Pinterest

The view south from Park Avenue and 94th Street, around 1882.

Source: oldnewyork.tumblr.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Right now I have a whole bunch of one bedrooms around $3500 or so right off Fifth Avenue along the Upper East Side. Below is one of them on 88th Street and Fifth Avenue. It's a great deal for $3500, large enough for a couple, and in a lovely elevator building.

Full specs here.

Inside a lovely limestone building on 75th Street and Fifth Avenue this afternoon. Marble lobby, original mosaic tile floors and cast iron doors. Gilded age detail everywhere. A one bed going for $4300. Oddly, I have three apartments available on this one block, literally steps from Central Park.

This Exists. And It Is Right.

Yesterday I was kicking around East End Avenue and decided to pop into this Classic Seven. It is easily one of the most amazing rental apartments I have ever seen. Its uniqueness is not in its size (2500 square feet) or its intact, pre-war detail. (Entry foyer, formal dining room and maid's room.)

Rather, the key here is that all the modern upgrades were done by the former tenant. The crown moldings, the marble floor in the foyer, the Viking stove and the wine cooler were all on their dime. You know you love a place when you're footing the bill for the numerous, custom, California Closets.

Bit of trivia: When this building was built and designed in 1928, these units were duplexes. Talk about pre-war grandeur. They were converted to single floor, Classic Sevens in the 1950s. This explain the (slightly) dropped ceilings in the foyer.

Full specs here. Photos below.

Consider The Classic Six

The Classic Six is the quintessential New York City apartment: Living room, formal dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a maids room. Add an extra bedroom and you've got a Classic Seven. It's nice space if you can get it, and you can get it if you try.

The interesting bit about Classic Sixes, from a rental perspective, is that even though their numbers are small compared to other kinds of two and three bedrooms, Classic Sixes turn over pretty frequently. These are the kinds of units that people like to purchase -- they're designed as homes -- but when someone has to move to a neighborhood for specific reason -- a job near a hospital or within a school zone, they take these places for a year or so while they look for one to buy. That said, if you ever find yourself in need of a Classic Six, you'll usually have plenty to choose from. And by plenty, I mean at least a handful.

Full specs on this unit in the East 80s here. At $7950 it's a deal. Most are closer to $10,000 to $12,000 a month.

Fifth Avenue And 67th Street One Bedroom $3650!

This is a deal. An 840 square foot one bedroom with a proper entry foyer for $3650. E. 67th Street between Fifth Avenue and Madison. Elevator/laundry building and Central Park is literally half a block away.

South facing and fully renovated. Would be perfect for a couple.

If one cares about having the right address, then this apartment certainly fits the bill: East 70s, between Fifth and Madison, a pre-war building. It's a very large one bedroom, about 1,000 square feet with a terrace that overlooks a leafy courtyard. The bedroom used to be a separate studio apartment, so it's easily 400 square feet on its own. Tons of closets and pets are OK.

Full specs here.

It's been a very busy week here in Planet Pauline. But, in all the kerfuffle, I found two great deals.

First, the big guy: A real three bedroom in a lovely, pre-war doorman building on Madison and 36th Street in Historic Murray Hill. Huge living area, enormous bedrooms and a kitchen that would make any chef happy. Working fireplace as well.



If $6,000 a month isn't in the budget, (it happens) then this little guy on East 88th Street is the deal of the day. It's a real one bedroom with a new kitchen and an enormous backyard. It even comes with patio furniture and a grill. $1795 for outdoor space in Manhattan. Full specs here.

East 72nd and Park One Bedroom. Yes, $3200!

I don't often venture to the Upper East Side. It's an area that is zoned mostly for residential and the inventory is vast. I do, however, like the East 60s and low East 70s. Before there was Carrie Bradshaw, there was Holly GoLightly, and she lived in the East 70s. It's an area that's aged well in terms of keeping its charm but not feeling stodgy.

Today I saw this one bedroom, on 72nd Street between Park and Lexington. It's a large and livable space in an elevator and laundry building. No doorman, but there's a great, live in super. Four blocks from the 68th Street subway station and a very short walk to Central Park.

It's $3200. Totally under priced for the amount of space and the clean renovation. It faces south and is pin drop quiet. Full specs here.

One of my favorite apartments in Manhattan is back on the market. It's on 92nd Street and Park Avenue, in a luxury, pre-war building with an attended elevator. It's a two bedroom with a 700 square foot wrap around terrace and some amazing views of New York City. It's one of the sunniest and happiest places I've ever been in. Slideshow is below, and full specs are here.

And Now For Some Sick New York City Apartments

Wednesday was a dreary day but I didn't want to be cooped up inside. La Madre came in from Connecticut and watched Andre while I went out and took a look at some new apartments. I've done so many $3000 one bedrooms over the past two months that I really needed to see something new, something that would amaze even me. (Don't get me wrong, I've still got plenty of studios and one bedrooms to go around.)

I put on my new red rain boots and started in the West Village and worked my way up to the Upper East Side. These are some truly obscene rentals and a far cry from some of the cookie cutter buildings out there. Which is no disrespect to the cookie cutter buildings of Manhattan. More often than not they pay my bills.

First off: my favorite: A four bedroom, four bath in a doorman building on 92nd and Park with an attended elevator. (How old school is that?) This is my favorite rental building in all of Manhattan, and this unit is a true home for whoever is lucky enough to get it. The eat-in kitchen with new appliances and miles of counter space has a breakfast bar and a washer dryer. There are so many rooms I actually got lost while taking photographs. The living room is huge and sunny and off of the master bedroom is a little den, perfect for an office or a little TV room. $11,250 a month.


In the same building, one flight up, is this two bedroom, two bath, penthouse unit with a giant, south-facing wrap-around terrace. The kitchen is windowed and sunny, and the living room has a working fireplace. Even on a cloudy day this was a very bright apartment. And views are ridiculous. $6700 a month.


Speaking of terraces, if downtown is more your speed, this 15th floor, two bedroom, two bath offers birds eye views that are so cool, even New Jersey looks good. It's gut renovated with a large, separate kitchen. Bedrooms are king sized and there are lots of closets. Doorman, elevator, laundry and literally smack in the middle of the village. $5900 a month.


If you don't mind walking up a few flights of stairs, over in Chelsea on 17th Street and Eighth Avenue is sprawling three bedroom that would be a great share for a couple of young people. The modern, pass-thru kitchen leads to an over sized living room that could host many memorable parties. There are lots of windows and cool city views. Some of the bedrooms have exposed brick, and there are two bathrooms, so no waiting in line in the morning. $4300 a month.


East Village, Avenue B and Houston Street
This sprawling corner home faces south and east with unobstructed city views. The chef's kitchen with Viking appliances opens to an L-shaped living room large enough for a long dining table or an office area. Five inch plank, hardwood chestnut flooring throughout. The bedroom is king sized with a balcony and a walk-in closet. The windowed bathroom includes a deep soaking tub, Cinza slate flooring and Thassos marble wall in bath. The washer/dryer in the apartment. This pristine condo rental comes with a furnished sundeck with Wifi, bicycle storage, cardio room, and a driveway for pickup and drop off. $3495 a month. It's practically free.



That's all I have for now. I'll be in a commercial real estate seminar all day on Friday, so amuse yourselves with these until I get back. Any questions, you know how to find me.

Loafin' Around The Upper East Side

TR and I and his parents headed uptown to the Met to get our art on.

Just a couple of swells, hanging around a Lichtenstein.


Arty


Squinty


Two attractive people.


Manahatta


Poor lighting in the Vermeers.


Just feeding the boy among some antiquities.


After lunch we were lured over to 84th Street by the melodious sounds of an old German band.


Oom, pah, pah...oom, pah, pah.


I want this guy to move in with us, but only if he wears this outfit everyday.


Get a haircut, hippie.

Two Rental Open Houses This Weekend!

I'm doing two rental open houses this weekend. You should come by! Say hi! Both are on the Upper East Side and available immediately.


Feb 28th: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 517 E. 83rd Street
Upper East Side, large, one bedroom $1800, no fee.

March 1: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 300 E. 85th Street
Enormous, sunny, corner apartment in the sky. Wall of windows. Pool, gym, sauna, laundry on the the floor. $2950. No fee.

Apartment of The Week -- Deluxe One Bedroom With Terrace!

About once a month I find an apartment that really impresses me. This week I stumbled upon this extra large, very sunny, one bedroom on 68th Street and Third Avenue. It's in a full service, luxury, doorman building, and the unit is up on the 15th floor. It's about 1100 square feet with a terrace and a wood burning fireplace. TONS of closets. Windowed kitchen is new and it even has a dining room. $5500 a month. No fee.

Yes, those are original hardwood floors.


No shortage of windows


Terrace!


New, windowed kitchen off of dining area.

Screaming Children In Upper East Side Apartment Hallways: What's Appropriate?

Last night I came home after taking out a client downtown. It was Friday and I was ready to flop onto my couch before heading off to the movies.

The elevator doors opened onto the 10th floor, where I live, and 10 very small children, all under the age of 5 and many in footsie pajames, were running around and playing in the halls. One kid was on a small scooter. The parents were milling around, having a coffee klatch. "Welcome to chaos!" one mother said to me as I sauntered by. This is not the first time I have been greeted by this scene.

I understand that living on the Upper East Side comes with this sort hazard. My building is in the P.S. 6 school district, so it's crawling with kids, as well as some very exotic dogs. I also know that my building is very clean, and has wide, well-lit, carpeted hallways that are perfect for afternoon games of dodgeball.

I also know that a basic tenet of renting in New York City is that one is entitled to what is called "quiet enjoyment." This is Leasing 101, and I deal with it all the time. It's a big reason why some luxury buildings don't allow pianos.

How does one handle a gaggle of screaming children, and their parents, who have mistaken the common areas as a playground? I understand small children need to let off steam, but in less than four months I'm going to have a newborn, and loud kids and my sleeping bean are not going to mix. Anyone who's been on the receiving end of one of my tongue lashings have retreated with slightly less self esteem, but I hate to go negative.

I was raised by a Russian mother who didn't allow us to run around screaming like banshees, and this was in a house in the suburbs, where the neighbors probably couldn't hear us anyway. Is it wrong to tell parents these days to muzzle their kids, or at least take them to a park? What's the protocol in this age of Time Outs and I'm OK You're OK?

Epilogue: I sorted through the mail, put my coat back on and headed down to Murray Hill for my movie. In the elevator back to the lobby, the door opened on the 7th floor. There, a school-aged girl was riding her bike in the hall (with a helmet!) while her toddler sister and a free-roaming Akita dog chased after her. The mother leaned against a wall, flipping through a magazine.

Thoughts?

The Upper East Side Always Amuses Me

My building on East 79th Street is a family-oriented building, full of kids and dogs, and by default, mothers who lean a little on the lazy side. On Tuesday morning this exact conversation took place in the elevator from the 10th floor on down. Two UES mom, with kids and strollers in tow, were commiserating about how to get their kids to pre-school.

Mom #1: I'm hoping I can catch the bus this morning to David's school. I save so much money taking the bus instead of cabs.

Mom #2: If you can actually get a cab. Whenever I need to get down to 55th and Lex for Josh's school none of these cabs want to take me. They all want to go down to Wall Street. (This is actually untrue, as there are plenty of cabs on 79th and York, and they will take you where ever you would like to go.)

Mom #1: Sometimes I get so frustrated with the cabs that I just call a car service. It's expensive, but at least it's easy.

Mom #2: I hear ya. How on earth am I supposed to get on a bus with a kid and a stroller?

It's a tough question to answer, but she might be able to lighten her load a little if she took off the three-carat rock on her hand. But that's just me.

New Listing: Sun-Drenched One Bedroom 85th and Second -- Wall of Windows

I'm doing an open house for this place on 85th and Second Avenue this weekend, but if anyone would like to see it before that should let me know.

The Goods:
24th floor, large one bedroom
King sized bedroom
Walls of windows
Tons of light
South and eastern city views
Central air
Modern kitchen
Marble bath
Tons of closets
Doorman, elevator
Gym, pool, sauna
Pets are OK
$2950

Living room


Bedroom


Kitchen

Upper East Side One Bedroom -- $1,900

I just got a new listing for this adorable one bedroom on 88th and Third. It's very Carrie Bradshaw, perfect for someone living the single life in Manhattan. Bright, hardwood floors, exposed brick, high ceilings. $1,900.