Number 53 West 127th Street has been on the market since the end of March and the 18 foot brownstone in Central Harlem has some interesting details on the interior. With 7 bedroom and 7 bathrooms in place, it would appear that this home is set up as an SRO but that is not the case. The townhouse has a current 4-family configuration but some of the paperwork out there has it listed as a 5-6 family property. On the positive side, there is a lot to look at as far as details go in the interior but the kitchens appear to be rental-grade and awkwardly configured. This block east of Lenox is central to restaurants and transportation but will the $1.4 million initial asking price get it sold?
Nice block, very good location.
ReplyDeleteI live in the UK and have been following this site with great interest since a holiday in East Harlem recently. Would it be possible to explain (or give a link for) some of the terms used and to NYC housing law? SRO for example. And does the 4 family configuration mean that 4 families must live there?
ReplyDeleteIt is disappointing to see not one piece of natural wood except for the new kitchen cabinets and new stair treads. I’m not sure about the multi colored stair newel post either.
ReplyDelete@Charlie--single room occupancy. Term for old rooming houses. Certificate of Non Harrassment is required by the city to prove you didn't force people out onto the street.
ReplyDeleteNo, you can have up to four separate units. You don't have to.
westsider, I think some of it looks really nice, the mantel around the fireplace for example. Are these details all original then? Or have they been recreated? (i.e the detail on the wall next to the staircase).
ReplyDeleteSanou's Mum & Charlie, a small correction -- a four family certificate of occupancy doesn't require that you have four families living there, but I believe it does require that you have four separate kitchens. You might buy a place like this and tear out the extra kitchens, figuring the city would never inspect it, but there is some risk you would be caught.
ReplyDeleteThanks CHA. Didn't know that.
ReplyDeleteSanou's Mum -- also, a four family house requires two modes of egress plus, I think, internal sprinklers. Some people ignore these things, but if you get inspected, the city can fine you (or force you to add them, which would be an expensive proposition).
ReplyDelete