425 East 13th Street - A Building

Be careful! I almost purchased here but the sales agents and the developer were very sketchy. The offering plan does not outline any of the finishes, appliances, etc., and they wouldn't make any assurances as to what I would actually have in my finished apartment. They basically just said, "trust us, it will look like what you see in the sales office." Considering this is the developer's first project, and there is some bad press out there on these guys as individuals before they teamed up to form this development company, it's a little scary, and I ran...

Thanks for your feedback...but I just took the plunge and am in contract. I think a lot of my success had to do with my attorney. He carefully reviewed the offering plan (seemed like 500 pages!) and modified every point, including those you mentioned above. The sponsor agreed to all and admended the agreement to my satisfaction. I received it yesterday only to realize that the few remaining units went through a price increase; my unit would have gone up 40K. I guess that I should find comfort in knowing that if I get screwed, the people below me will get a bigger screw, no? Augh...another day in Manhattan real estate. Belvedere, extra dirty please...

Which unit did you purchase? And when are they saying is the scheduled occupancy date?

I bought a one bedroom unit. They are saying that closings are starting in July or August; I don't see that really happening - my guess is November. Either way, the price per square foot is high but the building is just hot. Great location, nice finishes, great amenities and there just aren't a lot of comparable properties in the East Village. Wish me luck!

who is the listing broker?
there is nothing on the site as to availability

I'm curious about what you paid and what kind of view you get. Which layout? Their site sucks because it gives you no sense of what you get for your money. The layouts aren't married w/prices. I think the building is pretty hot though. I bought at Blue just as A was coming to the market. I would have definitely considered it if I wasn't already in contract.

Their website sucks and I just get a bad feeling overall about this place

all the appliances and finishes are in the offering plan.

I bought the F line - I like the fact that it is an end unit and looks north toward the courtyard rather than on the street, plus the balcony extends across both the living room and bedroom. As of last week there was only one studio and a few alcove studios and one bedrooms left. The layouts of the alcove studios are almost as attractive as the one bedroom apartments and there are a couple that are not on the website. The sales office is on Broadway at 11th Street - Alex and Stephanie work there...they're cool and it's not a high pressure sales type scene. Again, high cost per square foot but I'm not looking to flip it. And with a tarot card reader and two gay bars on the block, what's not to love? :o

How come Streeteasy isn't showing any sales??

some of these messages read as obvious shills

#13, agree...especially because I looked here and there are lots of not-so-appealing things about the building. The sales office has been open for quite a while and it says something that there are still a bunch of studios & 1BRs left...

Oh my goodness poster #11 are you for real or just their agent tryning to BS people on this board to buy this piece of crap. Yes you are one of those shills. So obvious but amusing non the less

Way overpriced

Ok ass #15, excuse me for being an excited new homeowner that was answering a serious question from earlier in the thread. I like the building, the location, the amenties and at the end of the day, that's worth more money to me that getting the "best dollar" per square foot. The fact that I was treated nicely throughtout the transaction and am happy to soon be ending dialogue with dopes like you is a bonus. And feel free to tell me that I'm sure to lose all of my equity, the bubble is about to burst, prices will drop 50%, Manhattan is doomed, blah blah blah. I only wish the streeteasy would block the people combing the no-fee rental section from posting on the sales boards. Lastly, please learn to spell if you're going to try and irritate me further.

To #11. Congratulations on your purchase. I am sure it will be lovely. The people on these boards that constantly bash other people are mean spirited. I knew when I read your comment above that it would only induce more nasty comments. Enjoy your new home....I am sure it will be fantastic!

I LOVE MICHELE999! Please contact me and come for cocktails at the rooftop pool. Grrrrr! :)

OH...and I am #1, #3, #5, #11 and shamefully #17. and I guess now I'm 19 & 20. Thanks again Michele. Invitation stands. :)

To #1, 3, 5, 11, 17, 19, and 20: does the small size of the bedroom bother you at all? I was looking at the building, but 10x10 is just so small...

very small rooms

Hey folks if you can find white maple floors, open kitchens, set back terraces and balconies, and a roof top pool somewhere else in the east village then buy it. It is also only a short walk to Union Square. If you prefer go buy in toll brothers and enjoy brown on brown with crap. Me, I bought in and plan on enjoying the East village for as long as it lasts, even while lementing that the building I live in will be part of its demise.

Hey #1...Let us know the progress. When do you expect to close and move in? Are they planning to have the roof pool open in in time for this season?

and then he couldn't even spell lamenting :) Michele999 you're wasting your time with him. Then again, based on how you spell your name I'd say you're a bloke, from France...

A building looks good, OP. Hope it works out!

I'm the dude that had the earlier posts but not the one that one that wrote "lementing", though I agree with everything the guy says...hi neighbor! So Michele is still in good hands...even if she's a a bloke. :o Yes, we're just like that in the A Building - non judgmental, versatile and fun loving. Meow!

They say we're closing in August but my guess is more like November/December. But come over anyway and we'll frolic on the balcony until the weather is conducive to rooftop fun. :)

One more comment - regarding 10x10 bedrooms. For 16K, you can buy a storage unit in the basement of the building and use your closet space for storage in lieu of a dresser, armoire, etc. I prefer to go that route and have nothing but a bed and nightstand in the actual bedroom. And a toy chest....

excuse me! i am not a "french bloke" (not that there is anything wrong with that). hey dummy....there are a lot of ways to spell names. michele is one variation of the typical (and very boring) way to spell m-i-c-h-e-l-l-e. understand?

I am thinking about moving from Boston to NYC, and this building looks pretty seductive. What do you think are the big drawbacks? For buyers who like this property, what are some comparable places?

There are no comparable buildings in the east village. The finishes are beatiful, if you like white and open as well as floor to ceiling glass and pocket doors. The rooftop pool is unique. In the units on the lower floors there's not much to look at out if you face 13th street. It may be nicer in the courtyard. It may be a bit $$ but Really if you want the new condo feel in the east village this is the only property - unless you are comfortable living in the toll nightmare on 13th and 3rd!

#29 - I bought in this building and will tell you why, then everyone can say I'm a broker but who cares as long as you find my comments helpful. First you should know that they started selling in the building less than 3 moonths ago and there are only 12 units left out of the 84 in the building. The pro's - top of the line finishes, efficient layouts, storage in the basement, GREAT location, excellent transporation access...did I mention the rooftop pool? The building is steps from both Union Square and Tompkins Square parks, as well as Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. The only real comparables are www.onetenthird.com (which I don't like at all) and www.oneavenueb.com (which pales in comparison on finishes, amenities and location). 1st Avenue L Train and 14th Street crosstown bus are one block away. Con's - price psf is high (though I think worth it) and the sales office is still saying closings will start in August; there is just no way - my guess is December. Also, you would think they would offer storage with the unit (it's optional) and there are w/d hookups but the w/d are not included. Petty, I know...but irritating. Nonetheless, I think it's going to be a great building in a high demand area that just starting to experience the facelift that most of Manhattan has been going through for years. Zoning laws will keep the flavor of the neighborhood and I think this property will be a benchmark for future developments. Hope to see you at the pool neighbor.

Hello neighbor. I bought an apt. on the P line. I am very excited and can't wait to move in. Do you really foresee move-in to be around December? that really sucks. I'm still hopeful that i'll be having a cocktail on the roof wearing my bikini in August.

Hello neighbor. I bought an apt. on the P line. I am very excited and can't wait to move in. Do you really foresee move-in to be around December? that really sucks. I'm still hopeful that i'll be having a cocktail on the roof wearing my bikini in August.

To #31 and #32, did you do any research on the developers? I read often that it's very important to research the developers, and their previous projects, etc. on these new developments. What did you find?

#34 - My attorney told me that he was involved in a client's purchase with this development group in the past and that they were fine. As in all new constructions - the contract is to the developer's benefit and not the buyer's. Honestly, i trusted my attorney to make sure that there's nothing shady in the offering plan. I just really hope that the construction will be resumed in the summer and not around December like my future neighbor predicts...

hmmm, has anyone else done any research on the actual developers (their past projects, etc.)? Knowing that the offering plan/contracts are ok is one thing (this is what the lawyer can tell you), but knowing that the developers are going to do a quality job on the building itself is something completely different, isn't it?

Hello Neighbor in the P Line! Ok...couldn't find the P on the site or my condo docs; is your unit in the smaller building on 14th street? I'll be in the F line - nice to meet you. Honestly, I think we are looking at November/December but I hope I'm wrong. If August hits and you're in dire need to sport your bikini on a rooftop, you bring the bikini...I'll find the rooftop! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

To the others - I definitely did my due diligence; the architect and developer are solid. They have a good reputation for and also have mulitple projects underway. Gotta love google.

A Building makes the top 5 pick:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12072006/realestate/top_5_for_2007_realestate_dakota_smith.htm

Sweet.

what other projects have these developers done or are they doing? i tried google

Dear F line neighbor,
I spoke with my broker yesterday who informed me that the move-in date has been postponed to September :( Oh well...
The P line is at the 14th street building. Initially that building was supposed to have 1 apt per floor building but they converted it to 2 one bedrooms. Mine will be facing the courtyard like yours so we can hollar at eachother from our balconies. See you in september (hopefully).

September - argh!!! Well neighbor, we'll get moved in just in time to have a snowball fight across the courtyard from our balconies. :)

what is the PPSF in this bldg?

When I looked (and this was a while ago when prices were lower), it was in the $1400/sf range

no 1 brs left as per the sales office. only 2 brs and studios, which are excruciatingly small.

This building is well done. The question - when the hell will it actually be completed? Anyone have any information?

My broker said that the move-in date is now September. Was initially May, then July and now September.
Hopefully by November I'll be able to finally move in.

Any updates on this development - availability, completion date?

"Hello Neighbor," posting spam just looks like a desparate attempt to market an overpriced building a sketchy area (alphabet city). Keep the spam to yourselves.

Past the street the other day where this building is and quite frankly I would not feel comfortable walking down this street in the dark. What a crappy looking area.

its not the most beautiful street in nyc but it's a decent area overall.

Let me tell you if I was a single female( which I'm not)I would not feel safe walking myself down these streets.

Jesus...what's with all the sour pusses on StreetEasy? Obviously everyone has different taste but I'm not wasting my time slamming other buildings that I think are in ridiculous locations and look like crap. Lighten up people and let us enjoy our new homes.

Update from the sales office: All studios are sold; all one bedrooms are gone with the exception of a one bedroom loft. Only a few 2 bedrooms left in the building. Estimated closings are still in September. And yes, I'm a broker - this development has attracted a top notch roster of residents and I'm glad to have worked closely with the sales office.

who cares all I know it that those who bought in theis building should lock their doors day and night. It's a crappy location

not only is it a crappy location but owners paying $1M+ will be looking out on StyTown residents paying $700 a month for more space and better ameneties. love it

It's overpaying to live in a public housing neighborhood.

if you think the east village, particularly 14th street b/w 1st avenue and ave a is crappy, you're a complete schmuck with absolutely no real estate acumen, so please just keep your dumb infantile comments to youselves. There's a reason why people pay for this building, cause its the shit and no i am not a bitter rent real estate broker. This is not an unsafe block or neighborhood. East New York is an unsafe neighborhood. The East Village is not. And comparing the A Building, a brand new construction, top flite development with "StyTown" (Its "Stuy" bro, as in Stuyvesant), is like comparing a person with reasonable intelligence to you.

and right, a rooftop pool, w/d in units, doorman, italian cabinetry and a unit having resale value truly is a comparison to Stuytown, a rental development, with manicured puke green lawns, basement laundry centers and jungle jims passing as amenities. and no, not a real estate broker, just a guy with a clue.

You can put all of the nice finishes on it you want, but your neighbors are still public housing recipients and you are way overpaying to live in Alphabet City, along with the Mitchel Lamas and Housing Projects.

Yes...I remember when buying in the Meatpacking District was such a "horrible investment". All those bars and transvestites and hookers - what a ridiculous move!! There are 3 other developments under way within one block of this building. I expect a major facelift in this area and with the purchase of Stuy Town for 5.4 billion dollars, that area is soon to follow. Invest! Invest! And #19 is a bitter renter on Staten Island with a free membership to Streeteasy. Pay your $10 and reveal thyself fool!

I agree with #40. Regarding Stuy Town, the changes are already underway:

http://www.amny.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--spytown0527may27,0,820072.story?coll=ny-mets-utility

#60 but buying in the meatpacking when it wasn't as fashionable made it a cheaper price (given the risk). Your building is quite expensive.

First of all, there is VERY limited new constrution ANYWhere in the east village therefore it is a very hot commodity. People want to live or at least have a place in east village, not in your neighborhood.

#59-- Do you even live in the East Village? Because although sure there is some "government housing" there, its predominantly young post college types and pre (and even post) yuppies so you are talking entirely out of your ass. My guess is you hung out there once and couldn't get laid so you've taken to badmouthing the neighborhood anonymously (probably while masturbating).

Wow.... this site is filled w/ bitter renters...for sure. This particular topic is filled with bitter and worried 'owners' in contract for run of the mill construction surrounded by the old metlife middle class projects to the north and the real projects to the east. Lovin it....

BTW... to the worried owner who does like the puke green lawns in stuyvesant town - welcome to your new hood and view. HAHAHAHA

#65--- I (the guy who think Stuy town is shit and would never live there) am not a bitter owner nor do I won in A nor will I own there. i would have but the units I wanted sold out. As for the neighborhood, Stuytown is not in the east village, numbnuts, and anyone who lives in A would likely not venture beyond 14th. A is a starting point for points south and west, not north. if they wanted to live in gramercey, they would have bought there, genius.

The fact that Phoenix and the Boy's Room are located on the same street is enough to make me want to own in this building. Can you say "frisky"!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

#67 -- i'm guessing you're a switch hitter as the "Grrrrr" is a quite unique slogan and you first used it on a female poster and now use it for gay bars. Thank God I didn't buy in this building as sharing the pool with people like you gives me the willies. Perhaps the building comes with a lysol shower adjacent to the pool area? It should.

Can one contract AIDS from swimming in the building's pool. Just wondering if they don't put enough chlorine in and you go in with an open cut or keep your eyes open under water. The virus can swim in the eye cavity or something

#69--- why take the chance. I used to live in a building with a pool and there was a gaggle of extremely flaming homosexuals and lesbians which on occasion manned the swimming pool area. Suffice to say, I no longer live there. I had no problems with them personally, however the thought of swimming in the same pool with them kept me up at night. For that matter, communal swimming as a concept is sort of creepy.

Developers: Ascend Group LLC and Magnum Development
Architect and interior designer: Central Ruddy Architects
Sales: Cantor Pecorella
Marketing: Creative Gorillas
Builder: Hudson Meridian Construction Group "ranked among the nation's Top 400 firms"
Structural Engineer: Severud Associates

According to the Real Estate Weekly, Feb 28, 2007 article, "When completed in Summer 2007"

Makes me think the sales & marketing firms misrepresented when the building would be completed, as the developer and builder appear to be reputable. I wonder how many of us would have bought if we thought the delivery date was September - December instead of April-July?

LOL! Yes - HIV jumps out of the body, swims across a pool and then works diligently to find it way into your bathing suit and eventually enters agressively through one of your orafices. And only gay people have HIV. And the real estate market is doomed. And the sky is falling. Jesus...read a book. This is just too freaking funny.

Yeah but if you don't wipe your ass correctly after to go to the bathroom there is no bathing suit that is going to stop the leakage once you jump in the pool. The pool water gets into the crevices of the body and sweeps the poo poo all over the the pool. Therefore everyone is now swimming with each others ass cavity being cleansed by the flow of the water in the pool.Believe I know because I don't like to wipe myself after I go to the bathroom. I let the pool water do all the dirty work for me. I know I'm being inconsiderate and selfish but what the heck.Can't wait to use the pool in this building once my friend who bought into this building invites me.

That's hot.

Wow I never thought of things like this

Yeah but if you don't wipe your ass correctly after to go to the bathroom there is no bathing suit that is going to stop the leakage once you jump in the pool. The pool water gets into the crevices of the body and sweeps the poo poo all over the the pool. Therefore everyone is now swimming with each others ass cavity being cleansed by the flow of the water in the pool.Believe I know because I don't like to wipe myself after I go to the bathroom. I let the pool water do all the dirty work for me. I know I'm being inconsiderate and selfish but what the heck.Can't wait to use the pool in this building once my friend who bought into this building invites me.

#72-- I am "LOL" at your lack of command of the english language. "orafice"? And no, the "i" is nowhere near the "a" on the keyboard. So, doctor, how is the virus which causes aids transmitted? I'm guessing you heard about it on MTV Cribs. I might add that according to the Centers for Disease Control, the overwhelming majority of persons having full blown aids, other than IV drug users, are male homosexuals. Fact. Check the site.

just to piggy back (no pun intended), according to this, 84% of aids cases are either gay or IV drug users. As to the heterosexual population having aids, same contracted by having sex with high risk individuals (something tells me that means either gay/bi males or IV drug users). Hate to inject truth into a politically correct discussion, but god know you won't get these facts in NYT or on MTV.

http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2005report/table1.htm

The lucky new home owners at the A Building need not fear! You'll find a comprehensive move-in packet that includes a dictionary on how to properly spell orifice (or as in the urban dictionary - orafice), a booklet on how to properly wipe your ass before swimming, a complete guide on STD's AND directions on how to use the top notch appliances included with your unit. Oh - and did I mention the floor plans and amenitites? What a great buy!!!

Any updates on when this building will be completed? I understand all studios and one bedrooms are sold; would like to know the closing dates as I expect some owners to flip their units - I'm interested in buying here. Thanks.

I had my lawyer call to get an update from the sponsor right before the 4th of July holidays and the latest is they don't expect to close before Sept/Oct timeframe.

Purchased an apartment back in May. I am a college student at Cooper, and the convenience is what was so appealing about the building, besides the various ammenities. There is little else new construction in the East Village, though the new building on Houston was in the same price range. As for making a so-called "wrong investment," buying in by chance at the earliest (only finding out about the building 3 days into sales), can only yield a return equal, if not higher. After signing contracts, I was contacted to make sure there would not be a backing out, for someone offered $20,000 higher for the same apartment the following day. As for the often quoted "fascist" interior, white oak floors and new appliances only give the fascist feel to those who have little appreciation for minimalistic interiors ala Stockholm. Alter to your hearts' desire & paint the walls red if you'd like. It's pricey per square foot, and if I worked/studied mid to uptown, I wouldn't have bought it. Being a 5 minute walk from facilities was worth it- location, location, location.

*not May, I believe it was February?

I purchased one of the 1 bdrm duplexes and it's definitely one of the best deals on the market in terms of price per sq ft.

Good to see positive comments from other purchasers. I bought a one bedroom in April and then saw a 40K price increase 2 weeks later. While the delayed closings aren't thrilling me, I'm continuing to watch prices move forward so I've managed to ease my mind by knowing I can either move in whenever the building is completed or just flip it and see substantial gains on my investment. I'm 99% that I'm moving in. Look forward to meeting my new neighbors at the A Building!

We signed on for a unit in the 14th street building back in February and are getting nervous (read, also: pissed off and sick of the studio that we moved into to save money for what we thought would only be until July). I guess the worst part is that we're not seeing a thing happen on the construction front (currently live in the East Village - walk by all the time) and we're not hearing any updates from the sales office or developers. Does anyone have any news? We still ahve not seen a rendering of the 14th St. building, which makes me think they haven't even thought about what it will look like. Yikes.

I saw that they've started to put in some glass in the windows on the 13th st side so perhaps the progress will pick up.....

We went to the sales office to see what they might be able to tell us. The woman who originally showed us the floorplans told us that they would be mailing out a letter to everyone who had signed a contract to give us a more specific update on the progress. So far no letter here. Anyone else?

I have not received any updates on the progress. Went by the construction site - they had started putting up exterior glass. The guy there told me that the work was put on hold as they needed another permit to begin this work. That was 2 weeks ago. ARGH!!

My mortgage broker contacted me this week saying that the developer has contacted them to advise that the closing will take place in September.

September seems awfully optimistic...I walked by there the other day and couldn't believe how little the construction seems to have progressed since the last time I saw it a couple of months ago...

I talked to the sales office and they are doing closings "from the bottom up"...meaning lower floors first and higher floors last. IF they are actually able to start lower floors in September (BIG if!), then the higher floors are looking at November/December. When I bought the place, my broker and attorney said to add 6 months to the closing date that is stated, which was July...so this all falls into place. It just seems like the guys are contemplating their navels all day long instead of actually working on building the place. Other buildings seems to be going up at twice the speed - what gives?!?!?!?!?

Why construction work about 5 months delay? Is the A building construction work progressing now? If so, are you guessing every units construction work finished until within the end of 2007?

Why construction work about 5 months delay? Is the A building construction work progressing now? If so, are you guessing every units construction work finished until within the end of 2007?

After driving by the site this past friday, one of the workers on site told me that he highly doubts that the building would be complete before late November/December! Hope the pool is heated! Sucks.

Just wondering - why, with all of the new developments in NYC, has so much attention been paid to this building on street easy? (not knocking the project, just curious...)

Read the NYT articles on the problems with new developments. Make sure your ducks are in order and try to save any additional headaches. Personally - can't help much as I bought in an existing condo building in the beginning of the year myself.

Though the article deals with some of these common new dev headaches. . .from this past section in the real estate section...take a read.

I know the article you're talking about. This dude complains that he paid 720K for a one bedroom and moved in before the building was complete and didn't have all of the amenities. Sadly, he had no hot water (which is a real problem) so he sold it after 4 months for 980K. Poor guy...4 months of cold showers and he only made a 1/4 of a million dollars. Life is a bitch.

I walked past the building a couple of weeks back. It looks good but seems like it was too close to a fairly busy street. Might not be great for those on lower floors, but presumably higher floors are OK.

I live just down the street from A Building and have also purchased a unit in the building. The progress in the last 3 weeks has been great. Almost all the glass is up on the 13th street side, however the other side has no glass. Has anybody heard an updated time on when closings will begin? Is it definite that they are starting from the bottom up?

I spoke with the sales center yesterday. They told me the plan is to start closing from the bottom up. They expect to start at the beginning of November. This means that when lower floor residents will move in, they'll be living in a construction site for a while...

I went by yesterday to see the progress and apparently someone cracked the whip on the construction dudes - I couldn't believe the difference in a 3 week period. FINALLY! And the building looks great. Yes, closings are from the bottom up unless you are a distressed situation and you can be put on a priority list. I've decided to just wait; I would rather move in when the building is actually complete rather than deal with ongoing construction. I'm thinking December/January.

I went to the Sales Office this weekend and the broker told me they are going to be sending out the 30 day closing notices in the beginning of October if everything keeps on track. I also was able to see the north side of the 13th Street building by going into the church parking lot next door. There is some glass up on the first and second floor of the north side so work seems to be chugging along! Just thought I would give an update!