By Roslyn Lo
Brokers Weekly
Situated in the heart of Harlem, the new Apex Condominiums offer the best of both worlds: An avant-garde building in the midst of a neighborhood lush with history.
The building complex is the site of the first hotel-condominium community in Harlem since 1967. Quickly becoming a popular hub for tourists and residents alike, the 12-story building is a swanky new destination on the corner of Frederick Douglass Boulevard and 124th street.
With 44 newly built condominiums starting from the sixth floor, the units range from 476 s/f studios; 660 s/f one-bedroom; 1,206 s/f two-bedroom and 1,699 s/f three-bedroom residences. Prices start from $335,000; $440,000; $645,000 and $1.04 million, respectively.
The condominiums sit atop Aloft, a trendy, ultra-chic boutique hotel, aimed at attracting the young demographic. The hotel-condo complex was constructed as part of a new project to restore and modernize Harlem. The development of close-by fine dining establishments and retail is also in the works, aiming to boost the area’s economy.
Besides its modern appeal, Apex Condominiums is at the site of many historical American places, such as the famed Apollo Theater, only blocks away. Central Park, Columbia University and New York Transit are accessible.
The condos are near the subway station, which is only two stops away from mid-town. With the Ivy League school Columbia University nearby, the complex has a contract with the learning institution to accommodate visiting guests.
The modern condominiums are equipped with state-of-the-art furnishings. The units feature 8.5 to 10.5-foot ceilings, polished Nordic hardwood floors and dual-pane windows, which allow for maximum sunlight exposure.
The European-style kitchens come equipped with KitchenAid appliances, including a seamlessly integrated wall
oven, Bosch washer-dryer, bottom-freezer refrigerator, stainless steel sink and built-in microwaves.
The bathrooms feature Italian tiles and marble, and fixtures including drop down vanities, a Zuma soaking tub and frameless shower stalls. The hallways were designed extra wide, spanning four feet in width, with windows lining the corridor to allow southern exposure lighting.
Apex Condominium boasts a wide array of amenities, including resident access to hotel features such as Aloft’s bar and mini convenience store, a fitness center and doorman.
The WXYZ bar is a special destination for Harlem residents. An ultra-chic lounge, it is a popular local place to enjoy lively music with cocktails.
Residents are also given exclusive rooftop access with a sight of Manhattan’s skyline. From the panoramic view, residents are able to see famed New York landmarks such as the Chrysler building and Central Park. The dual-rooftop deck will be decorated and fully furnished so residents can enjoy the city vistas in comfort. Select three-bedroom units have balcony access as well, for a more personalized view.
The condominium-hotel hybrid has two separate street entrances for guests and residents, with two sets of elevators. Parking and storage are also available for an additional fee, and are optional features for driving commuters.
RCG Longview developed the Apex Condominiums, with the Marketing Directors, Inc. as the exclusive agents. Since Apex’s late 2010 opening, 20% of the condominiums have already been sold. The recent trend shows that families are set on finding comfortable living space in Manhattan.
As the three-bedroom units are being occupied swiftly, it is proof that the modern condominiums not only attract young sin-
gles. The client demographic so far trends towards 30-40 year old professionals, who Marty Brady of The Marketing Directors said were coming from all over the city.
“They’re from everywhere,” Brady said. “Manhattan, Jersey, Brooklyn and Queens.” The location makes it convenient to commute to anywhere in Manhattan, or even Connecticut and New Jersey,
Brady expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture and its price points. “The Apex condominiums are as unbelievable in value as you can get, nothing like anything else you can find in Manhattan,” he said. “The hotel hasn’t even opened yet, but our condominium sales are tremendous.”
With a combination of the old and the new, Harlem is seeing a spirited revival. Apex Condominiums is a bold new venture that embraces the neighborhood’s changes, offering an edgy and comfortable living space to complement Harlem’s rich history.
See the full Brokers Weekly clip: Brokers Weekly – Buyers Checking Out New Condo-Hotel – 3.16.11
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