210 E 36th St Unit 5J

210 E 36th

This unadorned red-brick co-op doesn’t bowl over prospective homebuyers with stunning renovations or high-end amenities, but instead with affordability. With the average Manhattan co-op price at $1.3 million, according to Douglas Elliman’s Q1 2024 report, the prospect of a sub-$400,000 studio or sub-$600,000 one bedroom can be enticing. At 210 East 36th Street, a building consisting almost entirely of studios and one bedrooms, residents can find a centrally located and compact home or pied-à-terre that feels fairly priced. “I’d say it’s leaning toward the good deal side,” says Aaron Wood, a local real estate agent with 25 years of experience. At over 60 years old, the building’s units reflect previous owners’ tastes. “Most people have updated the units at least once or twice. In the same line, the layouts are similar, but the units can vary widely,” Wood says. But with the East River Esplanade right there, and both Bryant Park and a Trader Joe’s within walking distance, the conveniences of Murray Hill are worthy supplements to a residence that focuses on essentials. Over half the units are studios, many in the range of 450 to 550 square feet, so compact living is part of the bargain. Although the smallest layouts mix the bedroom and living room in one main area, kitchens tend to be cordoned off by a wall with an occasional breakfast bar — creating separation between where residents eat, sleep and live. Higher up, several studios have private terraces that increase the square footage. One-bedroom units bring more closet space into the equation, and those on the top floors add private balconies with room for cafe seating. A rare duplex unit is one of the only two-bedroom options. Its contemporary, sparkling white kitchen and patio make it a serious catch, despite being on the ground floor. Interiors vary widely, with older units maintaining parquet floors and more recently refreshed units having hardwood flooring and stone tiles in the kitchen. “No washer-dryers in the units, but dishwashers were just recently allowed, so some units have them,” Wood says. Prices start around $400,000 for studios, although the smallest units can start in the high $300,000s, and those with patios on the top floors can go beyond $500,000. “One bedrooms are in the low $500,000s, and two bedrooms are in the $600,000 to $700,000 range,” Wood says. The anomalous duplex, however, most recently sold for over $1.2 million. Across these sizes, monthly maintenance fees range from $1,000 to $2,100, and units with patios generally pay more. Although owners can lease their units to tenants, they’re prohibited from doing so for the first two years, and they can only do it for two years in any four-year period. Owners also pay an annual lease renewal fee, a one-time tenant move-in fee and a surcharge based on a percentage of their monthly maintenance. But once they’ve lived in the building for 10 years — not including any years the unit was leased — they’re free to lease indefinitely. There’s also a 3% flip fee when owners sell. “There’s a brand-new roof deck, which is quite nice,” Wood says. “And the laundry’s uncharacteristically cheap. It’s only a dollar.” Empire State Building views elevate the sparsely furnished roof, and a small ground-floor patio offers extra outdoor space. The front desk has doorman service from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. daily, and the bike room and rentable storage lockers help residents reduce clutter in their homes. Despite being within walking distance of Midtown offices, Murray Hill has a noticeably residential atmosphere, thanks in part to buildings like this one. Restaurants on 34th Street and along Third Avenue cater to all tastes, and the Trader Joe’s and AMC theater put both groceries and entertainment within easy reach. Macy’s and Target are just far enough away to keep the sidewalks around 210 East 36th Street uncrowded. The 6 train may be the closest subway, but a short walk west, the Herald Square station has eight more trains, making commuting around the city easy. Grand Central Terminal, a few blocks north, puts Long Island and upstate New York within reach. This building also sits above on ramps for the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and is right by FDR Drive, so drives into Long Island City or to Harlem and the Bronx are extremely convenient.