135 Ocean Pkwy

Caton Towers

While the building is dubbed "Canton Towers," there is just one continuous, uniform facade. However, one eccentricity is worth noting: the rectangular structure has a small section that juts out of the backside (almost like a second tower), albeit awkwardly. This irregular portion functions as the entrance to the garage with a rather long driveway that extends out the opposite of the building onto East 7th Street. Dating back to 1965, the 16-story edifice features a charming yet restrained midcentury architectural detailing; this includes the brown brick cladding, balconies with a geometric brown railing that matches the masonry, and the building's title elegantly set in Futura (a font used for many famous midcentury buildings, like the Lever House) above the entrance. "It's a large building in a bustling area, so people are always coming in and out," says Kate Rose, a broker at Brown Harris Stevens. "Once you walk in, it's like living in a small town. People refer to each other on a first-name basis and look out for one another." It isn't uncommon to hear co-ops have more space than new-build condos, which is the case at Canton Towers. "When I walk clients in, the first thing I hear them say is how big it is," says Rose, who specializes in condos and co-ops in Kensington. "Here, you get more bang for your buck." As of November 2024, Rose listed a 920-square foot one-bedroom, with a 13 x 30 living room, massive kitchen, formal dining area and 23 x 12 bedroom, for $590,000. She says the building has solid construction dating back to 1965. "The plaster walls are thick, and the floors are placed between hefty concrete underlayment." While some units face Ocean Parkway, "it is palpably quiet." She adds that the building has ample natural light, thanks to the large windows. Most apartments have private outdoor terraces, all big enough to fit a table, four chairs and a few larger potted plants. Plus, each unit has a genuinely roomy walk-in closet in the foyer, with enough space to comfortably walk around and find clothing. Canton Towers has 286 units across 16 stories, ranging from studios to three-bedrooms. Studios, ranging from 450 to 650 square feet, feature layouts with a sleeping alcove, a sizable living room, a galley-style kitchen and a large walk-in closet (some even have an extra dressing room); the last sale closed at $325,000 in September 2024. One-bedrooms average 900 square feet and are designed with primary bedrooms that have two closets and layouts similar to the listing mentioned above with a balcony; the most recent closing netted $399,000 in October 2024. Two bedrooms, averaging 1,200 square feet, feature side-by-side bedrooms and an open living area that circulates around through the dining area and the kitchen back into the foyer (and many of them have extra-long balconies starting at 30 x 7 feet); the latest transaction was in June 2024 for $839,000. Three-bedrooms, averaging 1,300 square feet, have smaller bedrooms, large eat-in kitchens, and an unbelievable number of closets; the last sale closed at $890,000 in January 2021. Cantons Towers is an elevator building with a round-the-clock door attendant, live-in superintendent and part-time maintenance staff. "It is one of the few co-ops in the neighborhood with a doorman," says Rose, referring to the local co-ops, many of which do not have door attendants or entrances staffed only part-time. She also says the property's common areas have been recently renovated; the lobby and hallways have been outfitted with new carpeting, paint, lighting and furniture. Meanwhile, on the lower level, residents can find a spacious laundry room with multiple folding tables, a bike room and rentable personal storage. The same subterranean floor also houses the parking garage, which is currently waitlisted. Kensington is known for its proximity to multiple green spaces, including Prospect Park's running and biking trails and historic, landmarked Green-Wood Cemetery. The main drag, Ocean Parkway, is dotted with midrise brick-clad apartment buildings, interspersed with small businesses offering just about every convenience thinkable, such as dry cleaning at Mint Green, the neighborhood USPS and or a mani-pedi at Eve's Nails. (The avenue is also known for two other things: it's many private and specialist doctors' offices and houses of worship from different faiths.) Further inland, one can find charming neighborhood bars and restaurants off the parkway, including creative cocktails and bouquets at Sycamore Bar + Flower Shop, Austrian food at Werkstatt and artisanal pizza at Wheated. For groceries, residents can shop at the nearby markets, including Foodtown, ShopRite, or one of the neighborhood's many bodegas. Because Canton Towers is located just off the main drag in Kensington, the location accommodates commuters; door-to-turnstile takes about an hour to Midtown Manhattan. The F subway line at Fort Hamilton Parkway station is located a quarter mile north on Prospect Avenue. To reach greater Brooklyn, residents can use bus lines including the B35, B67 and B69. The Prospect Expressway makes traveling to North Brooklyn and Manhattan easy via car.