New York’s real estate market is off to a strong start to the fall season.
The Manhattan market is finally showing signs of a comeback, with demand indicators improving for the first time since 2022. Closings and signed contracts rose as inventory held steady throughout Q3, with falling mortgage rates encouraging buyers to come off the sidelines and shop around.
And it’s not just the luxury sector that’s seeing increased activity. According to real estate analytics firm UrbanDigs.com, 568 new listings priced at $2.5 million or less hit the Manhattan market from September 16th to September 27th.
Among them were the following four gems, all located in character-rich, pre-war buildings in Manhattan and priced well below $2.5 million. In fact, one of the properties on our list comes with a $560K price tag (and modern updates to boot). So let’s take them one at a time.
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#1 A two-bedroom Gramercy Park apartment priced at $1,750,000
The priciest property on our list is located in the prestigious Rutherford Place condo building at 305 2nd Avenue, which dates back to 1902 and was originally a gift to the city from American financier and investment banker J.P. Morgan.
The full-service doorman building is conveniently located near Gramercy Park, Union Square, and Flatiron, and now offers a character-rich, sun-filled unit for sale.
Inside the two-bedroom, Rutherford Place condo
Listed with Jennifer M. Roberts of Coldwell Banker Warburg, the $1,750,000 unit is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath duplex condo with soaring 16-foot ceilings.
The Gramercy Park condo also enjoys east and west city views from oversized windows in the living room and main floor bedroom and welcomes pets as the building is pet friendly.
#2 A spacious two-bed condo at 444 Central Park West
This full-service Art Deco building across from Central Park — designed in 1929 by famed architects Boak & Paris, who apprenticed with renowned architect Emery Roth — holds a unique opportunity for buyers coveting a highly desirable Central Park address.
An oversized 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit is up for grabs in the building, one that features abundant natural light from south-facing exposures overlooking tree tops, a garden, and oblique park views.
More details on the 444 Central Park West condo
Listed with Svetlana Choi of Coldwell Banker Warburg and Karen Lind and Elizabeth Johnson of Compass, this charming and spacious apartment is move-in ready with well-proportioned rooms, hardwood floors, high beamed ceilings, a renovated chef’s kitchen with washer/dryer, 6 closets (4 of which are walk-in), through-wall AC, and two classically renovated baths.
It also comes with access to the building’s many perks, which include a full-time doorman, a live-in super, an A energy rating, a central laundry room, private storage, and bike rooms. It also has an unforgettable roof deck with sweeping park and city vistas spanning from the George Washington to Tri-borough Bridges.
#3 A pre-war apartment on the Upper West Side listed for $1,175,000
In one of the 8 historic buildings famed architectural firm Schwartz & Gross designed on the Upper West Side (a list that includes the celebrity-packed 55 Central Park West co-op, aka the Ghostbusters Building), an upper-level unit is looking to fetch $1,175,000.
Broker Lisa Chajet and agent Rashi Malhotra with Coldwell Banker Warburg hold the listing.
Inside the two-bedroom unit at 588 West End
Set inside the charming pre-war co-op building 588 West End, the 2-bedroom apartment flaunts beautiful original hardwood floors, crown molding, and high ceilings.
It also has a bedroom wing off the common area where we find two decently sized bedrooms, ample closet space, and beautiful built-ins. The large windowed kitchen has ample storage and an in-unit washer and dryer.
#4 A stylish $560K unit in Washington Heights
In the northern part of Manhattan, in the vibrant and history-rich Washington Heights, we find the most modestly priced apartment on our list — which also just so happens to be the most charming one.
Located in a 47-unit, walk-up co-op building at 474-478 W 158th Street known as The Roger Morris Cooperative, the 2-bedroom apartment is listed for a mere $560,000 with Samantha Rose Frith, Joel E. Moss, and Christopher Hall of Coldwell Banker Warburg.
Inside the modestly priced unit
Apartment 31 is a beautifully renovated 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with treetop views and wonderful natural light. The windowed, open chef’s kitchen boasts quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and all-new stainless-steel appliances, as well as great counter space and lots of pantry storage.
The spacious living and dining areas overlook 158th Street and both bedrooms have large closets.
The Washington Heights co-op was beautifully updated
The primary bathroom has been gut-renovated and now features a deep soaking tub, stunning tile work, and a new Bosch washer and dryer, while the full, guest bathroom features a glass-enclosed shower stall with a modern aesthetic. New hardwood floors throughout complete this charming city home.
Which one would you pick?
While still pricey by normal standards, these somewhat modestly priced New York City condos are far more approachable compared to your ordinary Manhattan listings. Which one would you pick, if you were to make the move?
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