Types of Apartments
There are many terms used to describe the various types and sizes of apartments in Manhattan. While some are universal and self-explanatory, others are newly coined and uniquely regional. In some cases, different terms are used to describe the same type of apartment. An alcove studio can be called a junior 1-bedroom. The following is a glossary of terms that should help take some of the mystery out of your apartment search.
- Studios:
- A straight studio is usually a one room apt. with a full bathroom. It may have a separate kitchen or one that is open to the room. They can range in size drastically, and some have a dressing room or a dining area.
- An alcove studio has an alcove, or distinct, separate area or nook for dining or sleeping, and is generally, larger than a straight-line studio. They are often configured in an L-shape, or two areas may be separated by an archway.
- A convertible studio may have an alcove bedroom, or be large enough to section off a separate sleeping area.
- One-Bedrooms:
- This means the bedroom and living room are separate. Some have full separate kitchens and some kitchens are open to the living room. They vary dramatically in size. Some bedrooms can only fit a twin-size bed, while others can accommodate a king-size bed and offer a sitting area.
- A junior 1-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio or small loft, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. Some may have an eat-in kitchen and a separate combined living/sleeping area.
- A "three-room" may be an apartment with a third room that is not conveniently situated to be practical as a separate bedroom or full living room, such as in a railroad layout. These apartments are most often found in older walkup buildings.
- A junior 4 is a large one-bedroom that usually has a full separate kitchen and a separate dining area, large foyer, or living room big enough to section off. You could call this "almost four rooms."
- 2-Bedrooms:
- A full 2-Bedroom or "real 2-Bedroom" has two bedrooms plus a living room, and may or may not have a separate kitchen. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby's room or small office to a sprawling master suite. There can be one, one and one half or 2 bathrooms.
- A Convertible 2-Bedroom or "flex 2" is a large 1-bedroom with a dining room or enough space to create a wall for a second bedroom.
- A wing 2-bedroom has two rooms that are separated by a common area such as an eat-in kitchen, but no real living room. These apartments are commonly found in Greenwich Village and are good for students or roommates who don't require much in the way of common living space.
- 3-Bedrooms:
- These apartments offer three separate bedrooms. Common space, kitchen, and size of the bedrooms can vary widely.
- A convertible 3-bedroom is a 2-bedroom with a dining room or large enough and that it can be converted into 3 bedrooms.
- A "classic 6" is a 3-bedroom apartment, usually found in luxury, pre-war buildings, that was originally designed with two bedrooms, a maid's room, full dining room, living room, separate kitchen and 2.5 – 3 bathrooms..
- Loft:
- A loft is a big, open space with few or no internal walls. Initially they were the results of converting a commercial building into residential units. They generally have very high ceilings and extra-large windows. Some have been constructed into one, two, or more bedrooms. They're mostly found in commercial neighborhoods, though the concept has been copied in many recently construction, luxury buildings in residential areas.
- Duplex:
- This is an apartment with two levels. It could be a legitimate bi-level apartment with an enclosed upstairs and downstairs, or it could be an open space with an extra-high ceiling and loft or mezzanine bedrooms.
- Triplex:
- Same as above, but three levels.
- Railroad Apartment:
- One room leads directly into another with no connecting hallways.
OTHER COMMON TERMS
- Live/work:
- Usually refers to a commercial building where some residential tenancy is accepted. A live/work space has a kitchen and full bathroom with shower.
- Commercial Loft:
- These lofts usually do not have a kitchen or a shower and are zoned for commercial use only.
- Sleep Loft:
- This is an add-on structure usually found in apartments with 10 to 14+ foot ceilings. Typically it's like the upper level of a bunk bed with a ladder for access. It usually accommodates a double-size mattress, although some are larger. The space below is often used as a closet or office area. The higher the ceiling, the more comfortable a sleep loft will be to sleep in.
- Furnished Apartments (for rentals):
- Can include light furnishings (basic furniture) or "soup to nuts" (dishes, utensils, small appliances, etc.)
- Balcony or Terrace:
- These terms are often used interchangeably to indicate an outdoor railed platform extending from the apartment. It can be small enough to accommodate one or two persons standing, (Juliet balcony), or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs, and plants. It usually has a roof provided from the balcony or terrace of the apartment above.
- Roof Terrace or Roof Deck:
- TThis implies a larger terrace or patio provided by the roof of the extended floor below. It usually has brick wall barriers around the perimeter, is open to the sun, and some wrap around the corners of the building.
- Garden or Backyard:
- Many ground floor apartments offer private access to the backyard. It can be tiny or large, and in larger buildings with multiple rear exits, it may be semiprivate or shared.
