Bright, functional units define this Gramercy Park condominium conversion
New York City homebuyers essentially have three property categories to consider during their search: historical builds, new developments and conversions. The latter inherently means some combination of new and old: custom cabinetry paired with parquet floors or sleek common spaces with lofty prewar interiors. For CODA, a 20-story rental-to-condo conversion at 385 First Avenue, it’s more so a combination of new and newer. Compared to other conversions, 385 First Avenue had a very short run as a rental building (only 14 years) before taking its current form. Originally completed in 2002, its dappled concrete and glass facade is still modern compared to the area's brick-heavy streetscape. In 2016, Manhattan-based developer Magnum Real Estate Group tasked D’Apostrophe Design with transforming the units and communal spaces, bringing the condominium up to snuff for the discerning homebuyer. Two central elements defined CODA’s transformation: “The spaces are super bright and just very functional,” says Francis D’Haene, principal and lead designer of D’Apostrophe Design. “That has to be the two best features.”
114 units feature mellow finishes and start around $1 million
The team at D’Apostrophe Design describes their work as simple, polished, minimal — and interestingly enough, silent. Take, for instance, the understated finishes, an intentional choice by the design team that allows for each resident's personal style (their decor, furniture and artwork) to do the real talking. “We used a combination of clean, modern lines but with warm tones,” D’Haene says. “For the kitchens, we went with white, polished lacquer cabinetry and then Belgian bluestone counters, which have that dark gray color and shells to add a little bit of movement.” The team cleverly used the same cabinetry to conceal the AC units, allowing a little ventilation at the bottom, while still maintaining the flow of the open floor plan. If the kitchen is, indeed, soft-spoken, then the bathrooms are perhaps a little louder. “The primary bathrooms have natural stone but in a more, striped graphic sort of way.” In two- and three-bedroom residences, these large-format, linear marble tiles wrap around the walk-in shower and continue behind the custom-designed steel and oak vanity. Bathrooms in one-bedroom condos have the same custom vanity but feature a ceramic taupe, stacked tile in place of marble. Prices for one-bedrooms begin just under $1 million, while two-bedrooms begin closer to $1.6 million. There are only a few three-bedroom residences and they rarely become available, but they have sold for between $2 million and $5.1 million.
An entry design that makes a good first impression
D’Haene pushed the envelope when designing CODA’s lobby. The 24-hour-attended space features a contemporary mix of wood, black glass, polished concrete and honed granite. Other than the reception desk and wall-mounted bench, the space is mainly all hallway, but what could have been very boring, D’Haene made very interesting. Wood slats line the long wall, protruding into the room and gently curving at the end of the hall, softening the 90-degree turn. “The hallway is a simple L-shape, but I wanted to kind of create a flow for people when they came in,” he says. “The result is kind of an intervention, to bring people around the corner to the elevators in a sort of dynamic way.” The wood slats are embedded with a flexible LED strip, set to a warm glow, essentially luring people down the corridor. The design is something one might see behind the doors of a swanky speakeasy, not unlike the trendy spots that have become increasingly commonplace in the neighborhood.
Residents will find landscaped spaces on the roof and terrace
One perk for residents is that the building includes two outdoor spaces. The roof deck has prime cityscape views, including the Empire State Building, and a few landscaped zones allow residents to dine, lounge or socialize across the space. On a lower floor, there’s the residents’ lounge and attached terrace, which has an outdoor kitchen and plush furnishings. “Inside, we wanted to make it more colorful and uplifting — a bit of a ’60s vibe,” D’Haene says. “This differentiates the space from the apartments, which have that bright, simpler look.” An orange rug grounds the TV zone, and there’s a navy ping-pong table and wet bar nearby. The fitness center is the only space not designed by D’Apostrophe Design. Instead, Magnum Real Estate Group hired Wright Fit, a gym design and management consultancy, to configure the generously sized, well-equipped space.
Heightened interest in the area, fueled by a great food scene
Magnum Real Estate Group essentially predicted the neighborhood's growing popularity when they purchased and converted CODA into a condominium. Gramercy Park’s restaurant scene is experiencing a renaissance, with newcomers like the Latin American eatery Chica & The Don or the aptly named 24/7 diner Diner24 joining mainstays like Pete’s Tavern, the oldest operating bar and restaurant in the city. Along First Avenue, residents can also find bubble tea at Möge Tee, Japanese food at Hane Sushi or breakfast at the ever-popular Ess-a-Bagel. Plus, the East River Esplanade is a little over one block away. The walk to Madison Square Park is farther, five blocks or 0.6 miles, but the surrounding area is filled with retail stores and restaurants.
Aspects buyers should keep in mind
Three of the borough's main hospitals are immediately north on First Avenue, which, depending on the buyer, can be seen as either a perk (convenience and safety) or a drawback (increased noise level from sirens). Another shortcoming is the lack of subways nearby. The closest station, serviced by the 4 and 6 trains, is a half-mile west. That said, several bus routes operate in the immediate area, and drivers are extremely close to FDR Drive.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
93/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 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
Augustus St. Gaudens Playground
4 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Asser Levy Playground
5 min walk
Bellevue South Park
5 min walk
Basketball
Dog Park
Volleyball
Peter's Field
5 min walk
Basketball
Multi-Purpose Field
Stuyvesant Square
8 min walk
Dog Park
Trails
Events
Vincent F Albano Jr Playground
8 min walk
Playground
Stuyvesant Cove Park
9 min walk
Murphy's Brother's Playground
10 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Lake
Lower East Side Playground
12 min walk
Basketball
Volleyball
Playground
Schools
Source:
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Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
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