Types of Apartments
There are many terms used to describe the various types and sizes of apartments available in Manhattan. While some are universal and self-explanatory, others are newly coined and uniquely regional. And in many cases, the same term can refer to two extremely different apartments. What's an alcove studio, versus a convertible1-bedroom? A railroad, versus a junior 4? The following is a glossary of terms currently used in the Manhattan marketplace that should help take some of the mystery out of your apartment search.
- Studios:
- In some regions, this one-room apartment is called an efficiency. It is basically a one-room apartment with separate bath and sometimes (but not always) a separate kitchen. These can range from very small (big enough for a sofabed and a desk) to very large (can accommodate a king-size bed and have a separate sitting area and dining area).
- An alcove studio has an alcove, or distinct separate area or nook for dining or sleeping. Generally, alcove studio implies a larger apartment than a straight-line studio Often they are configured in a L shape, or they may have an area separated by an archway that can be sectioned off as a separate room.
- A convertible studio is a studio large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. It can be either a straight-line studio or an alcove studio.
- One-Bedrooms:
- Very simply, this means separate bedroom and living area. Some have full separate kitchens; some do not. These apartments vary dramatically in size. Some bedrooms can fit only a twin-size bed or cot; others can accommodate a king-size bed and offer a sitting area.
- A junior one-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio or small loft, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. Some one-bedrooms may have an eat-in kitchen and a separate combined living/sleeping area. The rooms may be separated by an archway or an actual wall.
- 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 that have smaller rooms.
- 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 actual, separate 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 bedroom suite. Some full 2-bedrooms are actually converted from a large one-bedroom. If the apartment has 1 or 2 bathrooms, chances are good it was originally designed as a legitimate full 2-bedroom.
- A Convertible 2-Bedroom, or "flex 2" is a one-bedroom large enough and laid out in such a way that a wall could be put up to create a second bedroom.
- A wing apartment has two bedrooms and a small 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:
- As its name implies, this apartment offers three separate bedrooms. Common space, kitchen, and size of the bedrooms can vary widely.
- A convertible 3-bedroom is a 2-bedroom large enough and laid out in such a way that it can be converted into 3 bedrooms.
- A "classic 6" is a 3-bedroom apartment--usually found in turn-of-the-century luxury buildings--that was originally designed with two bedrooms, a maid's room, full dining room, living room, and kitchen.
- Loft:
- This implies a big, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into residential units. Lofts generally have very high ceilings and extra-large windows. Some remain open spaces with few internal walls; others have been constructed into one, two, or more bedrooms. They're mostly found in commercial neighborhoods.
- 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 a loft or mezzanine.
- Triplex:
- Same as above, but three levels.
- Railroad Apartment:
- One room leads into another, There are no separate 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:
- Zoned for business use only. This loft usually has no kitchen and a small bathroom with no shower.
- Sleep Loft:
- This is an add-on structure usually found in apartments with high ceilings (10 to 14 feet or more). Typically it's like the upper of a bunk bed, with a ladder leading up to it. It usually accommodates at least a double-size mattress, although some are larger. The space below is often used as a closet or desk space, and 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:
- 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 or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs, and plants. It usually has a roof provided from the balcony/terrace of the apartment above.
- Roof Terrace or Roof Deck:
- This 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.
