305 W 18th St

305 W 18th

Situated between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, 305 West 18th Street finds itself on a quiet, primarily residential side street. Comprising townhouses, brick-clad apartment towers and two large school campuses (Manhattan Business School and I.S. 70 O. Henry), the foot traffic includes college students, middle schoolers and occasional tourists on their way toward Little Island. Completed in 1950, the unassuming red brick facade is sporadically adorned with concrete decorate panels (friezes); meanwhile, the building’s crown features a minimal decorative molding (cornice) fashioned from the same masonry cladding. The six-story condominium offers accessibly priced single-bedroom apartments with moderate common charges (and not-so-low property taxes). Sixty apartments across six stories range from studios to one-bedrooms. There are, however, a handful of combined units with two-plus bedrooms. Designed in 1950, the layouts are roomy, featuring multiple walk-in closets, formal foyers, sizable living rooms, galley-style kitchens and king-sized primary bedrooms. Studios, ranging from 400 to 500 square feet, are big enough to fit three distinct areas for living, dining and sleeping. Unit #1E, a gut-renovated studio with interior courtyard views, sold for $565,000 in December 2024. One-bedrooms, spanning between 550 and 750 square feet, have split floorplans with eat-in kitchens; a few bigger units have an extra alcove that can be used as an office. Apartment #6B, a one-bedroom with a renovated kitchen and bathroom, bespoke built-in closets and a wet bar with a wine fridge, sold for $975,000 in July 2024. One of the grander residences, #4JK, is a combined four-bedroom residence with three bathrooms, a kitchen that needs renovating and a laundry alcove; it sold for $2.2 million in December 2024. The elevator building has a live-in superintendent and part-time maintenance staff. Upon entering the building, residents can find an understated lobby with minimal adornments, including terrazzo flooring with a few colored slabs of geometric-shaped inlay, black marble floor molding and three sets of staircases that lead to the north, east and west wings of the building. Just off the lobby is a small fitness studio with slightly outdated cardio machines, free weights and a few weight training machines. On the lower level, residents can find the newly renovated card-operated laundry facilities with folding tables and chairs, a bike room and personal storage. In the rear of the tower, there is a tree-shaded courtyard filled with greenery, lounge chairs as well as dining tables and chairs. Plus, the building recently installed a new security system, including DVR cameras around the perimeter and interior, in addition to keyless fob entry. On any given day, 23rd Street is bustling with a gaggle of Fashion Institute for Technology students, a cool dad and son wearing matching Comme des Garçons Chuck Taylors and Google employees donning the proverbial tech hoodies. The gallery district is within reach, concentrated between 18th and 28th streets and 10th and 11th avenues; big names include Gagosian, Pace and David Zwirner, to name just a few. Of course, one cannot mention Chelsea without mentioning its legendary gay bars; the classics include Boxers, Rebar, and Barracuda. Meanwhile, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy nearby greenspaces at Madison Square Park, the High Line and Hudson River Park. Similarly, fitness enthusiasts can flock to the neighborhood Equinox or Chelsea Piers to work out, play pickleball or hit balls at the driving range. Residents can shop at the local markets for groceries, including Fairway, Trader Joe's, Westside and Whole Foods. The condo is sandwiched between subway stations: 14th Street/Eighth Avenue station with the A, C, E and L lines, plus PATH trains; and 18th Street Avenue Station with the 1 train. Living in Chelsea affords easy access to main thoroughfares, including 8th Avenue, 23rd Street and the West Side Highway. Additionally, bicycles can take advantage of the nearby Hudson River Greenway bike lanes.