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71Units
10Stories
1900Year Built
$761K - $2.0MValue Range
Available Units
For Sale
No Units Available
For Rent
No Units Available
Highlights
Controlled Access
East Village Community School Rated A-
High-Rise Condominium
2 min walk to Union Square Park
A Neo-Renaissance gem in the heart of Gramercy
As Ken Barkoff stood outside the neo-Renaissance building in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan, he marveled at the architectural details. The Corinthian columns standing two-stories tall and the curved bay windows took his breath away.
“It was like a work of art,” Barkoff says.
The year was 1991. Barkoff had just graduated from college in Buffalo, New York, and was looking to start life in the city. He knew he had to live in that building.
Known as the Swannanoa, located at 105 E. 15th St., the building is a 10-story Beaux-Arts masterpiece. It was designed by architect Gilbert Schellinger and was completed in 1900. Today, it is home to 71 co-op units.
Architectural masterpiece
The building harkens back to an era of towering architecture in New York City. The carefully carved stone façade is rooted in the classic neo-Renaissance style, reflective of Schellinger’s flair, who was prolific in designing New York buildings in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
An aficionado of design, Barkoff dreamt about living in the Swannanoa. He scraped together $50,000 — a lot of money back in 1991 — and purchased a studio apartment there. As an enticement for the sale, six months of maintenance were included.
For the next 34 years, Barkoff would make the Swannanoa his home, upgrading over the years to a two-bedroom apartment. He is now president of the co-op association, as well as an investor with two rental units. He operates his business as a seller’s agent at Barkoff Residential from the building.
From $50,000 back in 1991, a 250-square-foot studio now sells for $400,000. A studio sold in July 2023 at $401,000. A one-bedroom, 800-square-foot unit sold for $925,000 in September 2022.
Vibrant neighborhood with farmers market and grocers
Some people call it Gramercy. Others call it Union Square. In the 34 years that Barkoff has lived in the vibrant neighborhood near Union Square, he said residents have called it Union Hill.
It is at the intersections of Greenwich Village, East Village, Union Square and Gramercy Park with Union Square Park as the town square. The row houses give the neighborhood a distinctive vibe, and it is known for its historic architecture and tree-lined streets with sidewalks.
The farmer’s outdoor market at Union Square is also famous, open four days a week throughout the year. It offers fresh produce as well as wines and other artisanal specialties with farmers traveling from all over the region to sell their goods. There are also community events throughout the year.
For groceries, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are within walking distance of the building.
“Everything is at your fingertips,” Barkoff says. “The convenience is unparalleled.”
A creative enclave with eclectic shopping and dining
When it comes to dining out, there is no shortage of options. ABC Kitchen is known for its eclectic American menu using fresh, seasonal produce. Casa Mono on 17th Street is known for its Tapas with a creative flair. For casual food, there’s Joe’s pizza for fast, inexpensive New York thin slices.
For shopping, the neighborhood is right near the famous Strand Book Store, nicknamed the Strand, with 18 miles of books for hours of browsing. Paragon Sporting Goods is right across Union Square. It’s a mega sporting goods store with departments for skiing, tennis, and other specialties. There are also several off-Broadway theaters in the area, plus other performance spaces in the surrounding area.
Madison Square Park and Stuyvesant Square are nearby for those seeking quiet contemplative spaces in an urban setting.
Yesterday’s grandeur. Today’s convenience.
Even after over three decades, Barkoff still marvels at the architectural masterpiece he lives in, feeling fortunate to be amongst such grandeur.
Walk through the stone façade, an elegant marble lobby greets visitors. And while the lobby has been restored to reflect the history of yesteryear, two new elevators have also been added.
Soaring ceilings reaching more than nine feet can be found in many of the units. The apartments also feature hardwood floors and large windows that fill the rooms with natural light, a key element for Barkoff. Some New York City apartments lack natural light, but the tall ceilings and the large windows in the building draw it in, he says.
There are decorative fireplaces with mantles in some units and stained glass. The kitchens vary in style from space-saving galley style to open eat-in design. Some of the bathrooms in the units have clawfoot tubs, a feature of a bygone era. On the upper floors, the bay windows offer vast views of the cityscape.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
94/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 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
Union Square Park
2 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Stuyvesant Square
6 min walk
Dog Park
Trails
Events
Peter's Field
9 min walk
Basketball
Multi-Purpose Field
Cooper Triangle
9 min walk
Trails
Augustus St. Gaudens Playground
10 min walk
Basketball
Playground
Madison Square Park
11 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Manuel Plaza
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Lower East Side Playground
12 min walk
Basketball
Volleyball
Playground
Chelsea Green
13 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Waterpark
Schools
Source:
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