Neighborhood Spotlight
Upper West Side: Always In Style

by Robert D. Greenberg and Lisa Martone

Some places never go out of style.  Framed by two of the nation’s most majestic parks, Central Park and Riverside Park, the Upper West Side has always been a unique family-friendly neighborhood.  The streets are alawys teaming with people and the area has evolved into a prime office and retail address as well.

A PREMIUM FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD
“The Upper West Side offers a combination of larger apartment sizes, excellent schools, parks, restaurants, retail, and a variety of cultural institutions that create a safe and engaging environment for adults and children alike,” declares Mel Wymore, Chair, Community Board 7/Manhattan. “Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The American Museum of Natural History,  Symphony Space, the Beacon Theater, the YMCA and JCC attract locals and tourists alike.  The co-mingling of residents and visitors generates a constant sense of energy and adventure.” 

The architecture of the area remains unsurpassed.  “Taller and often newer buildings populate the avenues, while historic brownstones and pre-war buildings line the quieter side streets,” notes Wyman.  “This mix makes for a vibrant street life. Successful new developments integrate with the existing streetscape and enhance the texture and fabric of the neighborhood.”

RETAIL ON THE RISE
The retail market is performing well as the vacancy rate dropped significantly, from 8.4% at midyear 2009 to just 5.7% at the end of the second quarter. Century 21 leased 61,000 SF at 1972 Broadway in the neighborhood’s largest leasing transaction. Average asking rents remained stable, ending the quarter at $285/SF, just one dollar less per square foot than the first quarter. 

A PREMIER OFFICE ADDRESS
One of the neighborhood’s signature office buildings, Worldwide Plaza, is undergoing a renaissance, as the owners continue to transform this two million SF complex into an even greater attractor of blue-chip office tenants.  When originally developed in 1989, 8th Avenue seemed to be an unoffical barrier to new developments, but the lure of this world-class neighborhood has pushed new buildings further west.  “Office buildings, as well as luxury residential development have gone way past 8th Avenue now,” states Peter Duncan, President of George Comfort & Sons, “and this is considered prime space for office relocations.” 

THE NEWEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Aire, at 67th Street, offers breathtaking views and building amenities such as a private drive-court, fitness center, rehearsal rooms, indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, deck with catering pavilion, an elevated park, walking paths and reflecting pool. Apartments range from 415 SF studios to 2,000 SF three-bedrooms.

The Rushmore, Riverside at 64th Street, is a 289-unit condominium consisting of two towers on top of a 16-story base and includes apartments from one- to five-bedrooms. Amenities include 24-hour concierge and doorman, fitness center, 50-foot swimming pool, indoor playground, garden atrium and private screening room.

The Corner at 200 West, Broadway and 72nd Street, features a sleek, glass design punctuated by 16 private terraces along the building’s outer perimeter. The building boasts a total of 196 studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury homes, ranging from 418 to 1,600 SF. It also offers amenities such as 24/7 concierge service, on-site valet, and “The Corner Club” featuring a leisure terrace, tenant lounge and fitness center.  

808 Columbus Avenue, the first of a planned five-building, 710-unit rental complex, features 359 rental units including a mix of studios with alcoves to four bedroom penthouses. The rental property is the first to open as part of Columbus Square, a project that will also include more than 300,000 SF of commercial and specialty retail space when complete.

NO OTHER PLACE I’D RATHER BE
“A stroll up Columbus Avenue is peaceful, quaint, and trendy, all at the same time,” says Barbara Adler, Executive Director, Columbus Avenue BID. “I have personally lived on the Upper West Side since I was a child and chose to raise my family here. I love it here, and can’t imagine living anywhere else.”