A rating for the building relative to other buildings of the same type throughout the country.Learn more
249Units
12Stories
2008Year Built
$608K - $6.1MValue Range
Available Units
For Sale
For Rent
Highlights
Doorman
Fitness Center
City View
Elevator
Subterranean Parking
4 min walk to Martin Luther King, Jr. Playground
An energy-efficient, mixed-income condominium in Central Harlem
In a city with exorbitantly priced real estate — most of which is beyond reach for the average New Yorker — the Kalahari Condominium manages to find a balanced middle ground. As a mixed-income building, half the residences are priced at market rate and the other half are subsidized to low-to-middle-income buyers. When it was realized in 2008, at a time when mixed-income condominiums in Harlem were still a new concept, many skeptics wondered if this kind of social–real estate experiment would actually work. But a few short years after buyers began moving in, the New York Times reported that the building’s reception amongst residents was “surprisingly smooth.” Today, there are many more mixed-income buildings around the city that prove the same, and with an increasingly budget-squeezed middle class, these developments have become more of a necessity than an experiment.
Named after a massive desert region in Africa, Kalahari Condominium is in the heart of Harlem and was designed by GF55 Partners, LLP and the late Frederic Schwartz, known for his human-centric design approach. The award-winning, 12-story building earned a LEED Silver Certification and according to GF55 Partners, it was the “largest residential Green Building in NY at the time of its completion.” Housing 249 units, the building’s eye-catching, sand-hued and dark brown facade is etched with cultural motifs and tribal patterns that echo the Kalahari region, while inside, residents have access to premium finishes and plenty of amenities.
Eco-friendly studios to four-bedrooms available for purchase
For market-rate units, residents can expect bamboo floors and light-filled, open living spaces with oversized windows. Since it’s a Green building, nearly 25 percent of the building’s energy comes from renewable sources like solar and wind, and energy costs are further reduced through the presence of Energy Star appliances in the kitchen areas. Bathrooms are fairly simple, with basic porcelain tiles and wood vanities, however, many have been updated in recent years with marble tiles, granite countertops, oversized mirrors and Kohler fixtures. Each unit also has central air conditioning, which utilizes filtered, purified air. Many units come with deeded storage units, which is always a plus for smaller Manhattan apartments. While there are dishwashers in every residence, washer/dryers are not in-unit, but rather shared on each floor.
Units starting just under $500,000 with low carrying charges
Two major perks of the building are the low monthly common charges compared to other similar buildings, and a 25-year tax abatement lasting until 2034. Studios can go for around $480,000 and average 500 square feet, while one-bedrooms go between $610,000 to $810,000 and average around 750 square feet. Two-bedrooms can list between $980,000 to just over $1 million and are typically around 1,150 square feet. Three-bedrooms run between $1.28 million to $1.5 million for roughly 1,400 square feet. Four-bedrooms, although rare to market, have listed for around $2.2 million in recent years and average just over 1,700 square feet. Common charges can run around $400 per month for a one-bedroom or between $566 to just over $1,000 per month for a two-bedroom. It’s important to note that the building does allow subletting, but it’s limited to only two out of every five years within any given period. However, gifting, pieds-a-terres and investor purchases are all welcome.
Ample amenities with a concierge, live-in super and two roof decks
The building may not have all the high-end finishes of some newer luxury developments, but it makes up for that with the amenities. Featuring two roof terraces, residents can expect landscaped spaces in which to lounge and take in views, as well as a separate courtyard with an herb garden. There’s also a business meeting room, screening room and fully equipped gym that gets ample light since it overlooks the courtyard. Each common space is equipped with free Wi-Fi, making work-from-home a bit easier, and a small kids’ playroom further helps out parents. For the musically inclined, there’s a dedicated practice space with a piano. The attended lobby is clad in warm wood with artwork by El Anatsui, but the design may seem a bit dated to some. Pet parents will love that the building allows dogs, however the building does enforce a strict no-smoking policy in the units and common spaces. Finally, residents can rent on-site Zipcars for quick trips or errands, or they can use the valet service to park their car in the attached garage, for a separate fee.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
5/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
97/ 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
Martin Luther King, Jr. Playground
4 min walk
Playground
Samuel Marx Triangle
5 min walk
A. Philip Randolph Square
6 min walk
Marcus Garvey Park
8 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Dog Park
Eugene McCabe Field
10 min walk
Soccer
Multi-Purpose Field
Electric Ladybug Garden
11 min walk
Picnic Area
Events
Botanical Gardens
Peter Minuit Playground
11 min walk
Playground
Harlem Art Park
12 min walk
Playground
Events
Lafayette Square
12 min walk
Schools
Source:
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