When the four-building East River Housing complex debuted in 1952, it received 5,000 applications for 1,672 available units.
Completed in 1955, the development is part of a group of four Lower East Side co-ops collectively known as "Co-op Village," the product of a united public, civic and workers’ union effort to create affordable housing for the working and middle class in the first half of the 20th century. The project's populist roots are evident in its financial sponsor, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, as well as the names of each of the four buildings — selected to honor labor movement leaders of the time. In 2000, after decades of operating with severe resale restrictions, the residents voted for the co-op to go free-market. Current commercial tenants include Frank's Bike Shop, Paul Taylor Dance Company and Kate Ferris Projects.
More than 13 acres of tenement housing were razed to make way for the buildings, and architects George W. Springsteen and Herman J. Jessor positioned the four structures to ensure each residence received the maximum amount of sunlight and, whenever possible, a river view. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest reinforced concrete residential structure in the country.
"The views are really phenomenal," says lawyer and Loho Realty owner Jacob Goldman, a longtime resident of the complex who has been selling real estate across all of Co-op Village since 1999. He names the East River, Brooklyn, downtown Manhattan, the Williamsburg Bridge and Domino Park as a few of the landscape highlights visible from the buildings’ homes. The complex contains 1,676 apartments across two 21-story buildings and two 20-story buildings, with three addresses at each structure.
In addition to the incredible views, Goldman says that the strong sense of community, relative affordability and low maintenance fees are key elements of the development's appeal. That, and the ability to retreat from the urban churn. "It's in the city, but a little bit away from the noise and hecticness of the city," he says.
“You want a home. When you’re in these buildings you’re not getting people making noise outside. You walk a few blocks for a great place to eat or drink but you don’t have to live with that.”
Homes include one-, two- and three-bedroom residences and a few larger units due to owners combining apartments. Goldman notes that the number of apartments in the development has decreased by about 100 due to these "break-throughs." Some one-bedrooms are efficiencies — apartments with galley or pullman kitchens. One-bedrooms range from 550 to 800 square feet and list for between $465,000 and $650,000. Two-bedrooms measure 900 to 1,100 square feet and ask about $680,000 to $1.1 million, and homes three-bedrooms and larger measuring 1,250 square feet to 1,650 square feet are priced at $1.25 million and up.
Most homes have parquet wood floors, and a little more than half of the units include balconies. In some cases, owners have chosen to enclose those outdoor spaces to create additional living space, such as an office or sunroom. Homes on the top three floors of each building offer set-back terraces. Fixtures and finishes in units can vary widely due to individual residents' renovations and upgrades over the years.
The buildings' marble lobbies are attended 24 hours a day. Management and maintenance staff are on site, and porters are on call.
In addition to well-maintained grounds landscaped with mature trees, shrubs and seasonal plantings, residents enjoy the use of two private parks with seating and two playgrounds. A spacious, 24-hour, fully equipped fitness room offers cable television. Laundry facilities, monitored by security cameras, also operate around the clock. Additional common spaces include a children's playroom and a recently renovated community room available to rent for $325/day.
The co-op does offer parking at the cost of $225 a month, however there is a long waiting list.
Maintenance is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight. Dogs are not permitted. Unlimited subletting is allowed after two years of ownership, and gifting and guarantors are allowed.
Located on the Lower East Side, East River Housing is steps from shopping, dining and nightlife options that have only increased as the neighborhood has developed. "Who wants to live uptown anymore?" asks Goldman. Grocery shopping can be done at Trader Joe's and Essex Street Market. Popular restaurants in the area include Dirt Candy, Russ & Daughters and the legendary Katz's Delicatessen. Nearby Essex Crossing is home to a Target and a Regal multiplex. Two blocks away, Hamilton Fish Park and its recreation center, housed in a beautiful Beaux-Art building, offer facilities including an Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and playgrounds. As part of the city's ongoing East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, nearby East River Park will be reimagined with new playgrounds, open green space, sports fields and athletic courts. Popular schools in the area include NEST + m, PS 110 and PS 184, which offers a Mandarin dual language program.
The F, M, J and Z trains can be reached in 15 minutes on foot, and two bus lines, the M14 and M21, stop outside the complex on FDR Drive. For those traveling by car, FDR Drive provides quick access to all points uptown, and both the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridge are minutes away. The closest airport is Laguardia, which can be reached in about 40 minutes.
East River Housing is a condominium located in New York and the 10002 ZIP Code. This area is served by the New York County attendance zone.
