May 1, 2025

386 Stuyvesant Avenue.    Photo-Illustration: Curbed; Photos: Brown Harris Stevens

A hastening of spring into summer means it’s time to decamp at the nearest park. In New York City, park is a fluid category, and we take the category seriously. No trees? No problem. A sad patch of dirt in lieu of a meadow? Whatever. Honestly, you barely need an apartment as long as it’s 72 degrees and sunny. Say good-bye to those four walls until further notice. But I guess now that we’re here, we might as well scroll through some listings. This week, I stuck to the usuals: Bed-Stuy, Fort Greene, and Cobble Hill. I randomly hung out around Gramercy Park (in keeping with the theme of this newsletter) and found out the going price for a one-bedroom apartment in those parts is around $7,000. Ouch! But nothing fazes me this week, again, due to the lovely weather. Hope you’re feeling the same.

ADVERTISER CONTENT

$1,900, studio: Did I mention that I have a friend looking for a studio in this price range? So back off on this one — it’s his.

556 MacDonough Street.    Photo: Compass

$2,450, studio: Same goes for this one.

$2,700, 1-bedroom: I have a feeling this is a sneaky gem. The people won’t flock here because of the nighttime photo shoot, which means you should go immediately.

$2,900, 1-bedroom: The kitchen is actually maybe the smallest I’ve ever seen on StreetEasy. And for that, it deserves your attention.

$3,000, 1-bedroom: Cute and simple, with a sweet arched passageway and great light.

$3,150, 2-bedroom: Unusual and charming window orientation. I like that they have pockets. Another shitty kitchen — a shame when they’re so clearly an afterthought.

127 Bainbridge Street.   Photo: Scott Williams Realty LLC

$3,595, 2-bedroom: I don’t mind the windows (though they’re new), and I’ll take the Astroturf in the backyard because at least it’s outdoor space. Otherwise, never a great sign when there are more photos of the neighborhood than the apartment. Like, that picture of Saraghina’s sign is not gonna be the deciding factor for me, ya know?

$3,650, 2-bedroom: Petition to remove all ceiling fans from New York City apartments, @zohran.

$12,500, 5-bedroom: It feels like the owners should not have purchased a beautiful historic brownstone, because the modernization efforts feel forced and often unnatural. They get points for trying — and for not demolishing the place.

$4,900, 1-bedroom: It’s clean, it’s renovated, and it’s on Vanderbilt Avenue. There is truly nothing more to speak to here.

$4,500, 1-bedroom: It’s feeling a little AI rendered, but I like some of the details (if real). The parquet, the tiling in the kitchen, the mantlepiece — plus, this is on the more affordable side for Gramercy Park.

$3,250, 1-bedroom: I like that this place has some personality. (The coral backsplash in the kitchen, I’m looking at you.) Also, I lied when I said the above was the most affordable. This one takes the prize for that.

145 E. 15th Street.  Photo: Coldwell Banker Warburg

$4,025, studio: Okay, now I’ve lied twice. This is the cheapest Gramercy Park option. Feels less like an apartment, though, and more like the crawl space in the intestines of a boat.

$7,975, 2-bedroom: I considered not listing because it’s sort of ugly and sort of expensive. But then I decided, why not? At least it’s unique and the roof deck is quite nice.

$2,150, studio: Okay, this one is in the running for most pathetic kitchens, but otherwise it’s got an arched passageway and is basically on the (best) park.

$8,000, 2-bedroom: Why is this apartment $8,000? I’m literally asking. And is that “Kitchen Open Crazy Late” fluorescent sign detracting or jacking the price point?

4 S. Portland Avenue. Photo: Brown Harris Stevens

$9,500, 2-bedroom: I guess this is just the going rate for Fort Greene duplexes. This one has some unexpected design choices — a glass block in the stairway, which actually provides an unexpected spill of light, and some particularly uninspiring wallpaper.

$4,500, 1-bedroom: I’m sorry for dragging us over to Cobble Hill, but now that we’re here, have you ever seen such mag