Colorful and Quirky Four-Bedroom With Pre-War Charm Asks $775K in Hamilton Heights

Some are saying that the next Harlem Renaissance is poised to happen in Hamilton Heights. And everyone’s got their eye on Columbia University’s planned 6.8 million-square-foot expansion into neighboring Manhattanville—it’s expected to bring an influx of new residents. If you’re looking to get in a little early—or you’re just looking for a decent amount of living space in Manhattan that doesn’t cost millions, this quirky four-bedroom co-op at 616 West 137th Street could be your lucky break.

A peek inside this spacious and well-configured 1,376 square-foot apartment reveals a creatively-customized, rustic pre-war effect with exposed brick, beams and arches to name just a few of the details that give the space architectural flair. It could definitely be reconfigured, updated and customized in any number of ways, but it looks completely move-in ready just the way it is.

This is an HDFC building (as many in the neighborhood are); the income cap is $97K for one person, all the way up to $138,435 for a four-person household. Also, the seller is looking for a June 2016 close (in general, closings can take a while anyway, especially for co-ops); if you’re not in a hurry, that can be a great way to snag a deal.

We wondered about kitchens and baths when we first saw the listing but were pleasantly surprised. From the listing photo the kitchen looks reasonably updated with stone tile floors and wood cabinets and new appliances. There’s also a washer/dryer in the unit. According to the floor plan the eat-in kitchen includes a sizable dining area.

Another pleasant surprise: The bedroom pictured is a fun and creative–if a bit DIY–space with painted brick, wood framing and some interesting loft-like details. Bath could use some upgrades but all looks clean and functional (and those fancy Japanese toilets are so overrated anyway).

The apartment’s four bedrooms are spread out on all sides of the unit; we’re assuming this cozy, book-filled office is making use of one of the smaller ones. We’ll assume you’ll have to get your own “grandkids visit India” screensaver.

This pretty pre-war apartment building is in the heart of Hamilton Heights (which is known for pretty pre-war buildings), half a block from the 137th Street 1 train stop, two stops from Columbia University, and minutes to the Upper West Side. The West Harlem neighborhood has been a growing presence in the news lately, with its large historic district being rediscovered: A recent “The Hunt” column in the Times has a couple seeking a similar a pre-war co-op, and insider travel site Not For Tourists says that while, “Columbia University’s continuing expansion threatens to throw gentrification into double-time…Alexander Hamilton’s former country estate retains almost a bucolic feel” and that, “Counting landmark buildings in Hamilton Heights is like keeping track of nuns in Rome.”

[Listing: 616 West 137th Street, #3A by Richard Shiu for Keller Williams]

[Via CityRealty]

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Images courtesy of Keller Williams