$6,650 / Mes

The Avery Condominium

From the outside, it’s difficult to distinguish the 30-story Avery Condo from the line of gleaming buildings that stretch along Riverside Boulevard from West 59th Street to West 72nd Street. SLCE Architects designed the Avery, completed in 2006 — the same firm behind the buzzy new One Wall Street conversion and many other notable new condos, like 53 West 53rd Street. This well-run, white-glove building on the far west end of Lincoln Square offers convenient access to Lincoln Center culture and Columbus Circle dining, while extensive building amenities range from on-site parking to a movie room. Units in the front of the building overlook the Hudson River and Riverside Park, just across the street. Since the area’s development in the late 1990s on a former train yard, Riverside Boulevard has formed its own tight community and provides a quieter residential experience and convenient park access, with all the bustling city action just a few blocks away. A big lure here is the price. Most units here are one and two bedrooms, with a one-bedroom going for about $825,000. “It’s the lowest price buyers will find on the boulevard,” says Brandon Turner, an agent with Compass, who has been selling in the Avery for about five years. At the high end, a 6,400-square-foot penthouse is valued at around $10 million, while studios start at around $750,000. Common charges are also at the lower end for this type of building. The Avery’s 266 units might be almost 20 years old, but baseline features still encompass sizeable, semi-open kitchens with granite countertops, Miele ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators. “You don’t need to renovate just yet,” Turner says, since many kitchens are still in good condition, but adding that he does recommend modernizing kitchens that haven’t been updated due to odd cabinet layouts. PTAC units, in-unit washers and dryers and marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and separate showers are another given. All units offer oversized windows that encourage natural light, but views vary. The most desirable (and costly) command Hudson River vistas, but a good number offer views of neighboring buildings. However, some units include outdoor space as well. The lobby’s rich wood walls and grey marble floors continue throughout the building, with colorful artwork occasionally breaking up the neutrals. As a full-service, white-glove building, residents can take advantage of a small movie/screening room that seats a couple dozen people, a billiards room, fitness center with a yoga room, plus a children’s playroom with different play stations; the thoughtful design includes seating for caretakers. Amenity spaces feel a bit dated due to the age of the building. But it’s hard to put a price on longtime staff, some of whom have worked in the Avery from its opening, Turner says. Though the far west Lincoln Square location can feel remote, The Avery is just two blocks from the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and its world-class cultural offerings. Chain retail lines Broadway, while destination dining, like the Michelin-starred Jean Georges, is clustered near Columbus Circle. But residents don’t have to venture far for everyday needs or fun. Vin Sur Vingt is just downstairs, a local upscale chain offering a comprehensive wine list and French tapas. Then there’s Harry’s Table by Cipriani a short walk south, a high-end food hall with a laid-back air. Meanwhile, Riverside Park is across the street — a four-mile-long waterfront stretch with a popular bike path and marina off 79th Street. Come spring, the umbrella-topped tables at the park’s Pier I Cafe, over at 70th Street, are a popular hangout for coffee, cocktails and casual bites. Big River and Little Engine playgrounds at 67th Street are newer additions and provide fun for the littles at the latter, complete with a green engine, while the former is equipped with a spouting water feature and climbing structures for the bigger kids. The nearby dog run and beach volleyball courts are also part of the park’s $21 million upgrade for this section; soccer fields are the latest addition. Other boulevard conveniences include a daycare and Gymboree, pilates studio and cat hospital. Residents welcomed a Morton Williams at 60th Street early in the year for food shopping, which joins the nearby Brooklyn Fare, a beloved local chain for gourmet goods. The Avery is equidistant between the 66th and 72nd street subway stops, or roughly a 10-minute walk; only the local 1 train stops at 66th, while the express 2 and 3 trains stop at 72nd. Plus, a free shuttle runs to the 72nd and 59th street subway stations, with the A, C, B and D lines stopping at Columbus Circle. Not least, an on-site parking garage is convenient considering there’s an entrance to the nearby West Side Highway at 72nd Street. Turner notes that the location is ideal for residents who also own homes in Westchester. Riverside Boulevard’s lack of traffic lights can be problematic for pedestrians, since it’s not uncommon for cars to zoom toward the West Side Highway ramp. As a result, there have been several incidents in recent years involving cars hitting people trying to cross, with one fatality. Community efforts to add traffic lights are ongoing.