80 John St

The South Star

A 26-story Art Deco office building that once served as the home of the Travelers Insurance Company, and then a rental property, The South Star was converted to condominiums in 2007. It was, in fact, one of the first office buildings downtown to become a residential property, and it still retains some of its period design elements, particularly in the lobby. Stephen B. Jacobs served as the architect for the project and Andi Pepper provided interior designs. Compass broker Luis Vazquez, an owner who bought in the condo when it opened, describes The South Star as a “Goldilocks building.” “It’s big enough to have economy of scale with a 24-hour doorman and low common charges, but it’s not so small that everybody knows your business.” The 136-unit building’s common charges are among the lowest in the neighborhood, partly because of the condo’s limited amenities. “It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles. It doesn’t have a swimming pool or roof deck. The reality is most people don’t use amenities,” he says. “This is a building for people who want value. Who don’t want to pay for things they’re not using.” Homes at The South Star include studios to three-bedrooms. Studios as large as 642 square feet sell for up to $730,000 and one-bedrooms measuring up to 1,177 square feet are listed for as much as $1.3 million. Two-bedrooms as large as 1,153 square feet are priced up to about $1.6 million, and three-bedrooms as big as 1,140 ask up to $1.7 million. Residences feature Brazilian cherry floors, beamed ceilings almost 11 feet in height, oversized windows and many offer abundant closet space. Kitchens include cherry wood cabinets and granite counters, with a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and range. “The sponsor went with top-of-the-line appliances, which is unusual at this price point,” says Vazquez. “That’s a big selling point today. The kitchens still look great even after all these years.” The South Star is staffed by a 24-hour concierge and door attendant, as well as a live-in super. Many homes include a washer and dryer, but each floor has two washers and dryers for residents to use. (A washer and dryer can be installed in a unit if a contractor confirms it is possible.) A gym and a parking garage are available for an additional fee. A Dunkin' Donuts is located on the ground floor. In the heart of the Financial District, The South Star is convenient to shopping, dining and transportation. Grocery shopping can be done across the street at Jubilee on John or one block away at Key Food. South Street Seaport and the East River are four blocks away, as is the popular Imagination Playground. The Oculus and City Hall are a quick walk to the west and north, respectively. Public transit is easily accessible, with an entrance to the 2 and 3 trains steps from the door, the A and C trains one block away and J and Z trains nearby at Wall and Broad Streets. Ferries to South Brooklyn, Midtown East, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Astoria and other points stop at Wall Street/Pier 11. The West Side Highway, FDR Drive, Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel are all nearby options for travel by car in and out of Manhattan and the city. Laguardia Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes.