33 Greenwich Ave

The Saint Germain

Is it possible to have all the conveniences of walkability and strong community vibes while still feeling like you’re at the center of everything, in one of New York’s buzziest and most picturesque locations? It might just be at the intersection of West 10th and Charles Street. Located in the heart of the West Village, a neighborhood with more culture per square foot than any other Manhattan locale, the Saint German is a handsome brick-clad co-op building with 150 units across 15 stories built in 1961. In a historic district amid pre-war apartment buildings and time-honored brownstones, the property has a special place in the heart of residents being close to local cultural icons, including the Public Theater, Film Forum, Washington Square Park, The Stonewall Inn, Blue Note and Marc Jacob’s bookstore, Bookmarc—to name just a few. Because the building was completed in 1961, plenty of owner-driven changes have been made, so there's variations between units. Some have the latest appliances and some structural changes, while others hew closer to the initial floorplans and designs, down to the original, well-preserved hardwood flooring. An alcove studio with a custom layout featuring a private bedroom behind custom barn doors, complemented by ample storage could fetch between $775,00 and $850,000. Similarly, an oversized 1-bedroom with Bertazzoni, Miele and Subzero appliances accompanied by custom paneled cabinets could list for between $1.15 and $1.25 million, while a 2-bedroom corner unit with a private wrap-around terrace could go for $2.25 and $2.6 million. “Many of the units have undergone a pristine renovation and have been optimized to maximize space and include integrated storage,” says Brandon Cohen, licensed broker at Compass who specializes in co-op buildings. The Saint Germain is a standard, West Village full-service condominium building. Its humble brick-clad exterior stands as a testament to its tried-and-true, straight-forward amenities and services. While there isn’t a pet spa or a massage room, there is a full-time 24-hour doorman, and residents can enjoy the common roof deck, a little oasis above Greenwich Avenue with dining tables and lounge chairs. Those who have sent their laundry out know how having washing and drying facilities in the building is an outright luxury, which is the case at 33 Greenwich Avenue. There’s an Equinox with a pool just two blocks down, but if that is more than is necessary, there’s a bare-bones gym with standard gym equipment. Similarly, there is a bike room and a parking garage, both have added fees and are wait-listed. “This is a full-service building in the West Village with a full-time doorman,” says Cohen. “Not many West Village co-ops can offer the same.” To say Greenwich Village is one of the most coveted neighborhoods of New York City is an understatement. Forgot Gen Z tourists flocking to Magnolia Bakery for cupcakes, or Gen Xers perusing the stoop of Carrie Bradshaw’s home from the TV series Sex and the City—there’s a virtually endless number of things to see and places to visit. According to the Wall Street Journal, the West Village has the most expensive real estate per square foot in the city. Real New Yorkers pay big money to live near all the legendary establishments. To name drop a few: homemade pasta with fresh herbs from the rooftop farm at Italian eatery Rosemary’s; gin martinis, up with a twist, at the prohibition-style bar Employees Only; $150 candles at high-end boutiques like Diptque; and dancing in the historic ballroom at The Jane Hotel. Due to Greenwich Village’s unique grid system that’s offset from the Manhattan grid, the acute angles between streets give it a maze-like quality. Somehow, even people who have lived in New York City for decades manage to get lost here. Part of the appeal of living in the neighborhood is the feeling that one could drift into unknown courtyards surrounded by historic architecture. On a practical level, it is indubitably easier to live close to the subway. By close, that means no more than two to three blocks. Residents at The Greenwich have the luxury of being nearby to not one, but two subway stations and the PATH train: no more than a 4-minute walk away, the West Fourth Street-Washington Square station serves the A, C, E, F, M, B and D trains; and Christopher Street–Sheridan Square station, just one block away, offers the 1 train, which also provides connection to Jersey City and Hoboken via the PATH train. “The co-op board here is fairly easy going, they don't impose unnecessary restrictions,” says Cohen. Here, pets are allowed; both cats and dogs. The board does allow sublets after two years of residency, as well as pied-a-terre residents. There is a minimum down payment of 20% and the property is up to 67% tax deductible. Policy allows for guarantors, parental purchasing and co-purchasing.