Manhattan’s famed East Village neighborhood was once ground zero for the city’s punk music and counterculture scene, vintage music and clothing shops and hole-in-the-wall piercing and tattoo parlors.
But now you’re far more likely to see a NYU student or tourist prowling its streets than a mohawked rocker. Indeed, twenty-two years on, the East Village “scene” now bares little resemblance to the setting of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer-winning landmark musical “Rent.” Even the notorious St. Mark’s Place has undergone a facelift and is now home to more casual cafes than no-name tattoo parlors.
Gentrification and real estate development has hastened the metamorphosis of the East Village. NYU, one of New York City’s largest landlords, continues to build new dormitories and education buildings in the neighborhood.
And, an abundance of luxury housing sprouting up on formerly vacant lots or replacing condemned buildings, has pushed housing prices up in the former hippie haven. The East Village’s vibrant nightlife manages to retain some of the seedy undercurrent of the area’s beatnick and punk days. The area’s diverse eateries and watering holes are a reflection of its ethnic makeup.
The area continues to be a popular destination for New Yorkers, tourists and students alike.
Here’s a brief round-up of what’s available in the East Village new condo market for under $3 million:
1. Liberty Toye
Developed by Magnum Real Estate Group, Liberty Toye is located at 62 Avenue B. It houses a total of 81 units, ranging in size from 448 square feet to 1,199 square feet. Buyers can choose from modern studio, one- or two-bedroom floorplans.
Residences feature custom cabinetry, white marble counters and brushed brass fixtures.
Amenities include: a rooftop deck, barbecues, attended lobby and a garden courtyard.
Pricing for available units starts at $740,000.
2. The Calyx
The Calyx is located at 189 Avenue C. It was developed by OTL Enterprises and houses 35 units that range in size from 751 square feet to 1,128 square feet.
Every studio, one- and two-bedroom residence features open floorplans and custom interiors, including hand-laid hardwood flooring, sleek cabinetry, and custom stainless steel kitchen packages by Bosch and Fisher & Paykel, and GE washer/dryers. Select residences offer private outdoor space.
Amenities include: a rooftop deck, fitness center and a virtual doorman.
Pricing for available units starts at $850,000.
3. Steiner East Village
Steiner East Village was developed by Steiner NYC and has 82 units in total, ranging in size from 975 square feet to 1,755 square feet. It is located at 438 East 12th Street and features over 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities.
Residences have oak flooring throughout, a sub-zero refrigerator and freezer, wine storage and Italian satin lacquer cabinetry. Master bathrooms include a soaker tub with a Calacatta ice marble surround.
Amenities include: a full spa, on-site parking, pool and a rooftop garden.
Pricing for available units starts at $1.7 million.
4. 75 First Avenue
Developed by Colonnade Group, 75 First Avenue’s glass tower is cantilevered at the corner of East 5th Street and First Avenue. It houses 22 units in total, ranging from 938 square feet to 1,106 square feet.
Residences feature high ceiling heights and eight-inch wide oak flooring throughout, floor-to-ceiling windows, imported Italian doors by Lualdi and oak-inspired porcelain-tiled balconies.
Amenities include: a landscaped roof terrace, full-time doorman and a fitness center.
Pricing for available units starts at $1.8 million.
5. Thirteen East + West
Located at 442 East 13th Street, Thirteen East + West houses a total of 12 loft-style units in full two- to three-bedroom floorplans. It was developed by The Amirian Group and Bridgeton Holdings.
Residences boast floor-to-ceiling casement windows and top-of-the-line, internationally-inspired finishes like Lualdi Italian doors, Alta Italia kitchens and Rossetto Italia wardrobes. The penthouse unit comes with a fireplace, deeded roof deck with a Viking outdoor kitchen, and a private, single-car parking garage.
Amenities include: private storage, private balconies and a rooftop lounge.
Pricing for available units starts at $2.3 million.
