A rare prewar condo perched near Manhattan’s highest point
Ideally situated on a corner plot with 45-degree angle exposures, 255 Cabrini Blvd. is a rare prewar condo in the leafy Upper Manhattan neighborhood of Hudson Heights. Located near the borough’s highest point — historical Bennett Park — the eight-story, 78-unit residence has perched views of the nearby Hudson River. The distinctly Art Deco-style red- brick building was erected in 1937 by era-defining developer Samuel Minskoff and noted Emery Roth offshoot architecture firm Boak & Paris. A recently restored carved stone entrance features slightly abstracted but still somewhat classical ornamentation that carries through to the roof-lining parapet, interrupted by urn and eagle-like decorations. “I see hawks flying around every day,” says Maria Herrera, a decades-long building resident and an agent with Douglas Elliman. “A major draw of living in 255 Cabrini Blvd. is the area. With densely forested Fort Tyron Park just up the street, we’re surrounded by greenery. There’s a great selection of small boutiques and restaurants owned and operated by neighborhood residents right outside the front door. They live and work here. The community supports them and vice versa.” The condo lacks amenity spaces — other than the part-time attended grand lobby and a well-equipped laundry room — but makes up for it in quality construction, architectural detail and size. “Every one of the generously proportioned units has high beamed ceilings, original herringbone pattern hardwood floors, arched doorways and, perhaps most impressively, sunken living rooms,” Herrera adds.
Oversized studios to large multi-exposure three-bedrooms
Like any older building, the state of renovation varies greatly from unit to unit. Still, much of the original prewar detailing remains intact. “If residents move walls or open up kitchens, they tend to keep the arched doorways and crown molding,” Herrera explains. “I haven’t seen anyone change the original flooring, it’s too pretty.” The larger-than-average residences here tend to have an ample number of closets, foyers and alcove dining rooms. While studios with 450 square feet of space sell for around $360,000, one-bedrooms with 900 square feet of space fetch $580,000. Two bedrooms with slightly more space, like triple exposure unit 8D on the market with Herrera in winter 2025, sell for just under $800,000. Three-bedrooms with at least 1,200 square feet of space and windowed kitchens go for $875,000. Higher floor units have sweeping views of the Hudson River and Palisades cliffs on the other side. There are currently two assessments for capital projects in place with costs varying depending on the size of the residence. The monthly fees for unit 8D are $359.63 through June 2028 and $166.50 through December 2027. “The building is competitively priced for the area because condos offer a level of freedom and flexibility that co-ops, the majority of residences in this part of town, don’t provide.” Units at 255 Cabrini Blvd. can be rented out or used as pied-a-terres. None are equipped to contain in-unit washer/dryers. Starting in early 2025, there have been monthly building-wide social potlucks in the lobby.
Tight-knit community neighborhood haunts and expansive Fort Tyron Park
“All of the immediate amenities are on West 187th Street,” Herrera explains. “In walking distance, West 181st Street is the main thoroughfare with even more on offer.” Right outside 255 Cabrini Blvd. are locally beloved haunts like Ethiopian bakery Bunni Coffee and Dutch Baby Bakery; both owned and run by the same long-time area residents. Just around the corner is The Fountain Bookshop which doubles as a classic soda and ice cream store. “The Frank’s supermarket on the same block as 255 Cabrini Blvd. is also owned by two guys who grew up in the neighborhood.” Adding to the tight-knit community vibe on this quaint stretch directly adjacent to the building is the independent Hilltop Pharmacy, Fresco’s Pizzeria, Indian go-to Kismat and Japanese eatery Tampopo Kitchen. There’s a large Key Food grocery store three blocks east. The Boonefont is a swanky restaurant embedded in Fort Tyron Park’s 67 acres of meandering walking paths, dog runs, roosted vistas, and secluded picnic lawns. The Met Cloisters art museum is also located here. “There’s just something about being able to walk into the park and experience fine dining,” Herrera describes. “There’s a robust offering of events and activities in the park throughout the year as well.” Bennett Park is a smaller but significant park with a playground named for a noted 18th-century journalist. “There’s a lot of American Revolutionary War history up here which is fun.”
Quick road and transit links accessed within minutes
For those with a car, there’s easy access to Interstate 95, west on the George Washington Bridge, east toward Long Island, and north up the Henry Hudson Parkway,” Herrera explains. There’s an onramp to the latter from the end of West 181st Street. Though there are a few privately operated garages nearby, street parking is common in the neighborhood as monthly spots in these facilities are hard to come by. For those who commute, the express A train gets them to midtown in under half an hour. “Most of us use the West 181st Street Station which has an exit on West 184th Street just a block away from the building even though the 190th Street Station appears to be closer. It’s something like 40 fewer steps away.” On the rare occasions when the A isn’t running, the local 1 train stops at a station on the corner of 191st Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue, which has tunnel access from Broadway. Making the most of the many dedicated and well-maintained cycling paths in this part of Manhattan — including the Hudson River Greenway and the George Washington Bridge bike lane — residents can utilize the Citi Bike station right in front of the building if they don’t have their own pair of wheels.
Collateral AnalyticsCollateral Analytics
Collateral Analytics AVMs (Automated Valuation Model) employ a number of statistical approaches combined with neighborhood-specific comparable selection guarantees the most up-to-date and precise valuations.
Black Knight®Black Knight
Black Knight’s AVM (Automated Valuation Model) is a state-of-the-art online residential property valuation tool that provides a quick and accurate estimate of the value of almost any home in the U.S.
First AmericanFirst American
First American Data & Analytics’ next-generation AVM combines unrivaled data assets with a blended ensemble of valuation models to produce highly accurate, reliable valuations you can trust.
Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
86/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
Bennett Park
3 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Fort Tryon Park
10 min walk
Trails
Playground
Fort Washington Park
12 min walk
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
J. Hood Wright Park
14 min walk
Basketball
Dog Park
Volleyball
Highbridge Field House
4 min drive
Monsignor Kett Playground
4 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Hill Top Park
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Highbridge Park
5 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Bike Trails
Swindler Cove
5 min drive
Trails
River
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
