Your Own Little Atrium on East 86th for $725,000

For under a million dollars, one can find all sorts of housing configurations: park- and subway-adjacent studios, one-bedrooms hidden in carriage houses or former shoe factories, and even the occasional true two-bedroom. We’re combing the market for particularly spacious, nicely renovated, or otherwise worth-a-look apartments at various six-digit price points. 

This week, we’ve got a converted studio on the Upper East Side with a wall of oversize windows and a one-bedroom across the street from Prospect Park with a deeded parking spot.

225 E. 86th St., Apt. 1406

This Upper East Side studio, as shown in this listing photo, gets south-facing light, so you can grow your own little jungle, if that’s your thing.
Photo: DejaView Residential Inc

Per the listing, the wall separating the living and sleeping areas in this apartment was taken down to give the place a “lofty” feel, so what we’ve got here is a studio that was once a one-bedroom. But the main attraction is obviously the wall of extra-large windows that look right out on the skyline and happen to be south facing, so you can grow your own little jungle. The all-white kitchen, if a little dated, is nonetheless serviceable. Get a rug, I guess, or just suffer. The unit also has some decent storage — three closets and a basement storage unit. It’s $2,054 for the taxes and common charges, which isn’t cheap, but that gets you a 24-hour doorman, a bike room, in-building laundry, and access to a lush little roof deck. The Q is a half-block away, the 4/5/6 station less than two, and the fact that Fairway’s right across the street gets a shout-out in the listing.

54 E. 1st St., Apt. 1B

This East Village studio, as seen in this listing photo, probably isn’t for everyone’s taste, but the renovated kitchen is quite lovely with the new Italian cooktop.
Photo: Compass

We realize this studio is going to be divisive, and that’s fair. Maybe you’ll love the whitewashed exposed brick and glass brick thing, or maybe you won’t, but the real crucible: There’s a ladder for lofted sleeping or storage. The 12-foot ceilings mean there’s breathing room for that kind of setup, but if you can’t picture yourself using a ladder on a daily basis, I get it. (There’s a rendering for a one-bedroom conversion, so clearly the broker does, too.) Still, the kitchen’s been renovated with a glass-tile backsplash, Italian cooktop, and a good amount of storage. There’s also direct access out the backdoor to a cute garden shared with the apartment next door. The $905 in maintenance fees admittedly get you a mere video intercom, and it’s a case-by-case basis for guarantors, co-purchasing, and gifting, but the space is sweet and appealing. Also: The sublet policy is chill, pets are allowed, and the Second Avenue F train station is right around the corner. The seller, who owned the apartment for 35 years, used the space as a pied-à-terre. Maybe you’ll do the same.

23 W. 9th St., Apt. 3R

The staging for this Greenwich Village studio, as shown in this listing photo, is a pity. Still, there are plenty of charming details to appreciate including a wood-burning fireplace.
Photo: Corcoran

The staging here is unfortunate, but this co-op studio in Greenwich Village is full of charming prewar details: wood-burning fireplace, exposed brick, crown moldings, and high ceilings to start. The Murphy bed actually makes sense in the layout, too. And it’s quiet, thanks to the soundproofed windows that are north facing with a garden view. The renovated kitchen feels kind of luxe with the new quartzite island and high-grade appliances, which include a vented Bertazzoni range. The bathroom, meanwhile, is basically a statement piece with its marble and black tiling job. At $1,806, the monthlies don’t get you anything besides the location, but that is still something: Three blocks from Washington Square Park, a ten-minute walk to Union Square, and plenty of subway options.

122 Prospect Park Southwest, Apt. 3

As shown in this listing photo, the one-bedroom in Windsor Terrace is located across from Prospect Park, which means you’ll get some pleasant leafy views.
Photo: LEVEN Real Estate

This one-bedroom is in prime Windsor Terrace, right across from Prospect Park, so you’ll get verdant views and easy access to fresh air. There are lovely parquets throughout, and the well-size one-bedroom comes with a spacious closet. The kitchen, however, is another charmless white-tile joint, but at least it comes with stainless-steel appliances and plenty of cabinetry. Plus, there’s an in-unit washer-dryer. Monthlies are a mere $625 and get you a rare deeded parking space in a garage. The building also appears to have a gym, which is a nice add. And it’s quite close to Nitehawk — also nice.