Types of Buildings
Reflecting the historical and architectural wealth of New York City, there are a wide variety of apartment buildings in Manhattan. From the Old World charm of a walkup to the luxurious splendor and amenities of a newly constructed high-rise, there is a building for every need and budget. The following are common terms that describe the types of buildings you will find in the city:
- Walk-up Building:
- Constructed in the early 20th century, a walkup is a five to six story building and the most basic of New York City Dwellings. As the name implies, they do not have an elevator, and most do not have laundry facilities. There is no doorman, and security is generally a locked double-door with an audio or video intercom to welcome guests. Most have been renovated, and some are still rent-stabilized, offering excellent values.
- Elevator Buildings:
- Pre-war or post-war, buildings with elevator service are often more than six stories and most have laundry facilities. There is no doorman and security is provided by an audio or video intercom system.
- Doorman Building:
- While many buildings that provide a doorman are pre-war, today the
term is synonymous with state-of-the-art luxury. Newly constructed high-rises
contain a variety of amenities including laundry facilities, concierge,
valet and maid service, health clubs or gyms, high-speed Internet access,
swimming pools, playrooms, lounges, parking facilities, and satellite
television. Some have been built with "Green Technology" and boast environmentally
sensitive systems throughout the residence.
- Brownstone:
- The name was derived from the brown stone materials used in the construction of single family homes in the early 20th century. The classic brownstone has four or five stories. The main entry is several steps up from the street and leads to a parlor floor with very tall windows. The garden floor steps down from the street and opens to the backyard. Many have been converted into multiple apartments, yet charming details have been retained, such as, decorative moldings, fireplaces and high ceilings.
- Town House:
- Built as upscale private homes, townhouses are usually three or four stories high. Most contain very desirable amenities, such as private backyards, terraces, working fireplaces, and ornate hardwood floors and charming details. While some remain as single-family dwellings, many have been reconfigured to accommodate multiple apartments.
- Loft Building:
- These are usually commercial buildings that have been converted to residential dwellings. They are generally found in current or former commercial neighborhoods like Chelsea, Soho, and Tribeca though today, they can be found in Clinton and parts of Harlem. Most have ultra- high ceilings and tall windows. Many have self-service elevators. A doorman in a loft building is a rare find, though some new construction has mimicked the style due to its mass appeal.
- Pre-war:
- Pre-war buildings were constructed before World War II. They are renowned for their quality of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and architectural splendor. Generally you will find nine- to ten-foot-high ceilings, hardwood strip or inlaid parquet floors, thick plaster walls that provide good sound insulation, fireplaces, and such woodwork details as moldings and decorative trim. Some still employ an elevator operator and may or may not provide a doorman or laundry facilities.
- Post-war:
- Any building constructed from World War II through to the 1970s is referred to as a post-war property. Almost all have elevators and laundry facilities; many will have doormen. Most have standard eight-foot ceilings and walls constructed of sheetrock. Older post-wars may have hardwood strip floors; more often you'll find wood parquet tile. Post-war buildings generally have larger windows.
- Modern Building:
- This term usually refers to buildings constructed in the 1980s. They tend to have an abundance of glass and steel, parquet tile floors, and bigger closets than post-war buildings. Appliances and fixtures tend to be basic black, white, or beige, and the kitchens usually include dishwashers and microwave ovens.
- New Building:
- Ten years old or less, newer luxury buildings tend to feature marble tile bathrooms and state-of-the-art granite kitchens, with stainless steel or black or white appliances. Many offer video security systems, on-site health clubs, and high-speed Internet access. Many new buildings provide washers and dryers in the individual units.
OTHER COMMON TERMS
- Live/work:
- This term usually refers to a commercial building that accepts some residential tenancy. A live/work space has a kitchen and full bathroom.
- 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 ceilings above10 feet. Typically it's like the upper of level of a bunk bed, accessed by a ladder. It usually accommodates a double-size mattress, although some are larger. The space below is often used as a closet or an office. The higher the ceiling, the more comfortable a sleep loft will be to sleep in.
- Furnished Apartments (for rentals):
- These can include light, basic furnishings or everything you need to feel at home, including dishes, utensils, small appliances, sheets, TV and stereo.
- 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, a Juliet Balcony, 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. In larger buildings with multiple rear exits, it may be semiprivate or shared.