Charming or dated? Weighing an Upper West Side studio for $2,600/month

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | January 14, 2015 - 1:59PM

To even consider this studio at 42 West 73rd Street, between Columbus and Central Park West, you've got to like prewar character (and have the budget to spend $2,600 a month). Assuming you do, there are some real plusses to this apartment in a four-story brownstone—and minuses too (this is Manhattan after all).

On the plus column: 16-foot ceilings, a restored ornamental fireplace, decorative trim, exposed brick, large windows and a new kitchen with a dishwasher. On the minus column: a sleeping loft for one (though it does help free up space in the main room), two big mirrors on the walls, and not much in the way of building amenities.

So is the charm worth the price tag? We asked our veteran renters, including RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin, freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, and myself, to weigh in for this week’s Take It or Leave It.

Size: studio, 1-bath
Location: 42 West 73rd Street (between Central Park West and Columbus)
Cost: $2,600/mo
Flexible Layout: No
Days on the market: 3
Subway: B, C to 72nd Street

Pros and Cons:

"The biggest pro here is the location: 73rd between Columbus and Central Park West is a prime Upper West Side spot that's right near Central Park and close to the B and C trains. The brownstone/pre-war touches are great—like the ornate fireplace, crown moldings and wood ceilings, if that's your thing. The kitchen is teeny tiny, but at least there's a dishwasher. I personally am not crazy about sleeping in a loft, too claustrophobic, but some may have no problems with that. " - Lucy

"This is a sizable studio a stone's throw from Central Park with a working fireplace and high ceilings! Must love mirrors and loft beds ... "- Zeb

"This loft studio, which reminds me of my first Upper West Side one-bedroom, seems meticulously maintained and the 16-foot ceilings, wood-burning fireplace, mirrors and marble bathroom are divine, but the R, as in rear, in the 1R means darkness will be the name of the game. The price tag is a bit shocking, too, especially since I’m quite sure this place will come with a hefty broker fee and next to zero amenities. Schlepping laundry to the Columbus Avenue laundromat or nearby dry cleaners won’t be fun this time of year." - Lambeth

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"Anyone who wants to forego the big, cookie cutter buildings and take in some brownstone charm." - Lucy

"Someone who is happy to trade a loft bed for living a block away from Central Park, bonus if you have a dog." - Zeb

"A Central Park runner who wants to burn off the decadent pastas at newly opened Parm, located just a few blocks away." - Lambeth

The Verdict(s):

LEAVE IT "For me, the sleeping loft is just not practical, and the price seems pretty high considering there's no doorman or amenities." - Lucy

TAKE IT "If you're a park addict and you have a dog, this looks great." - Zeb

TAKE IT "Provided the mustard-colored walls in one of the photos have been painted over." - Lambeth

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