Project:
Acquisition, Renovation, and Mixed Use Condominiums

Client:
Saint Nicholas Avenue LLC

Location:
New York, New York

Research Acquisition and Construction Period:
2007 - 2008

In 2007, a group of international investors retained Harlem Lofts, Inc. to locate mixed use investment properties in Harlem. With a need to retain a commercial condominium space while selling multiple residential condominiums, a specific building was required.

Harlem Lofts, Inc.'s Broker Division located and represented the investors as the Buyer Broker to secure a building in the Sugar Hill Historic District on Saint Nicholas Avenue. Harlem Lofts' Construction Division is currently renovating the building and changing the Certificate of Occupancy's status from a Single Room Occupancy building to mixed use luxury condominiums. Harlem Lofts, Inc.'s experience in dealing with historic and landmark properties has proved to be instrumental in the success of this project.

This project's significant challenges consist of:

1. A failed renovation attempt from the year 2000.
2. Adhering to The New York City Landmark Preservation Commission requirements, while adding a penthouse level that included common and private roof terraces to the 5th and 6th floors.
3. Changing the Certificate of Occupancy from Single Room Occupancy to a 4-family mixed use condominium.
4. Maintaining all of the period fireplaces, while installing efficient New York-approved gas logs in each.
5. Grandfathering to maintain a legal commercial space in a townhouse.
6. Adding additional 1300-square feet of additional office space by increasing the height and adding egress to the cellar.
7. Working with adjoining properties, while adding an additional penthouse level.

This project's unique feature list includes:

1. Common and private roof terraces, decks, and balconies that include wet bars.
2. Period fireplaces, stairs, wainscoting foyers, exterior doors, and facade.
3. New plumbing, heating, and electrical circuits throughout.
4. High efficiency central air and heat that include built-in humidifiers.
5. Heated tile floors in the baths and kitchens.
6. Private, quiet, landscaped yards off each bedroom in the back of the building.
7. Video intercom security systems with DVR recording capability.
8. Individual central air conditioning in all units.
9. Efficient, on-demand tankless hot water installed in each unit.
10. Exposed brick walls and fully insulated exterior walls.
11. Extra soundproofing in walls near bathrooms and mechanical equipment.
12. 18-gauge framing used for interior and exterior walls.
13. Modern baths that include soaking tubs, wall-mounted European sink basins, and wall-mounted fixtures.
14. Period fireplace mantels with significant details installed in all master bedrooms.
15. Cable wiring planned for wall-mounted flat screen televisions in multiple locations