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December 13, 2006
New Condo Alert: Sky 485
It's going to be interesting to see if the high-end amenities and lofty living spaces are going to be able to win out over the uninspiring exterior design and views of the Prospect Expressway at the new development at 485 18th Street. Sky 485, as it has been christened, has six units ranging from 1,038 to 1,775 square feet and priced at around $600 a foot. Interiors look fine but unremarkable. The whole thing just feels like it's a little late to the party. One bonus: Parking is included. Has anyone had a sneak peek?
Sky 485 [Aguayo & Huebener] GMAP
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Comments
Yup--I've 'Sky'. I was surprised that I was not that bothered by the Prospect Expressway out the windows. The exterior is uninspiring, but from the inside the feeling of openness -- sky over the highway rather than facing buildins, is nice. A few caveats: this may be typical of new developments, but why did the builder/developer get permits for kitchenettes rather than kitchens? Why is the bathtub fiberglass? And, the smaller units have no storage.
Posted by: anonymous at December 13, 2006 11:25 AM
Actually, the exterior is a lot better than most new construction. But modern architecture isn't really Brownstoner's forte.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 11:43 AM
I used to live by this building. It looks great, especially considering that there were just old frame houses there before.
The prices seem high, considering you can get a house in the area for the same money.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:06 PM
Does anyone have any info about the condos going up on Cortelyou Rd and Stratford? It looks, mercifully, like it is not designed to take Fedders units, and in fact, has large window/door openings suggesting lots of balconies, not unlike this building.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:15 PM
Very noisy expressway, which means those windows will stay closed most of the time. Negligible storage all around. Competent workmanship. Above average materials (extra thick, solid core doors). Kitchen cabinets look better than they are. Cheap washer/dryer unit (why weren't they more careful with the plumbing so that a conventional stack will fit easily next to the furnace!!). Heated flooring on lower level of duplexes and tiny garage space a plus.
Extremely disinterested/pessimistic brokers on site, which I interpreted as a realization that the noisy location, timing and asking price combined meant they were in for a slog.
This will be an interesting litmus test.
Posted by: Andrew from PS at December 13, 2006 12:19 PM
We have to remember many people don't want to have anything to do with maintaining both interior and exterior on a hundred year old house, though. People who buy these luxury condos are those who are willing to spend the same money for less hassle. The "you can buy a house for that" argument just doesn't make sense for those people. In the end, that argument only preaches to the choir of we old-house fans.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 12:22 PM
What home owner on this site hasn't pined for their old super on at least one occassion...
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:03 PM
LOL! So true.
"who do I call about this broken....oh right, I'm in charge now".
It's like when I visit other places where everyone has to drive, and I step out on the curb and wonder where all the cabs are.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:30 PM
the amount of light flooding into those apartments more than makes up for the the proximity of the expressway, which, by the by, being sunken and at least 75 ft (lateral distance) from the house, is quieter than your average avenue.
that said, i don't know if i'd pay that much for one of those apts. the parking is over rated, as there's tons of free parking in that nabe.
kitchenette? kinda of a bummer.
i think they'll be competing w/the "simone." it will be interesting to see if the prices hold up.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:35 PM
I actually really like the facade and the kitchens seem above average what is out there on the market right now. By and by it looks like a solid building although I'm not too sure about those prices. The private garage for those lower duplexes is a nice touch, not sure who else has that..
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 1:40 PM
I looked at it and both the agents and mortgage person were very aggressive, which turned me off. The whole enterprise depressed me. Yes, the spaces are decent sized and there's parking, but everything else was unremarkable and the prices are too high. Just as a comparison, the condos at Tiffany place are in a better location and the building is much nicer.
Posted by: ac at December 13, 2006 2:14 PM
I went to the open house last weekend and the sales agents were great, courteous and very well informed of the project which in my experience is a rarity. We didn't speak to the mortgage person, so I can't comment. I loved the project, but the prices for the 2BR’s were just a little out of range for me.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 3:04 PM
I live near the highway and its a great area for reasonable priced homes. Its surpringly much quieter than many blocks in the slope. And when the trees are in bloom (which is about 9 months of the year), you cant even see the highway.
I personally think the simone condos look cooler and have a nicer view but both are good options for people without a $1M+ budget.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 3:23 PM
Ok, how about a new website "The Condo-er". Fans and owners of cheap flimsy modern condos can discuss and share tips about things like their miniscule rooms, cheap finishes, leaks, mezzanines, lack of storage, crooked plumbing, crooked developers - whatever. They can debate Fedders vs Freidrich. Declining property values would be a big topic. They could post pictures of their building's garish facades. Lack of taste would be the only enterance criteria. It would be Brownstoner's evil twin.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 6:45 PM
The location of the Simone does in no way compare to the location of this development..
Posted by: Anonymous at December 13, 2006 10:05 PM
This location is WAY better than Simone's--close to shopping and closer to subway--but I disagree with earlier poster: the expressway is NOISY. I lived over it for a few years and hated having windows open.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 14, 2006 1:15 AM
No one said the expressway was quiet. Its just not as loud as living in some of the more prime blocks in the slope.
The reality is, the expressway is set quiet a bit underground and away from the residential houses as well as being walled in by an actual wall and trees and whole street. Whereas if you live on a busy street, you hear all the cars right outside your window.
Its not 100% ideal but I think its more perception than reality that its noisy b/c the area is generally quieter than park slope.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 14, 2006 8:49 AM
count me in on the "condo-er" website. kewl talk about semi-cheap condos sounds GREAT to me.
if i hear another comment on how beautful some "original woodwork" is i'm gonna croak.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 14, 2006 1:00 PM
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