unique ain't what it used to be / more than 100 “unique” lofts in Manhattan??

Manhattan real estate metaphysics / how many unique lofts can fit on the head of a pin?
I happen to believe that lofts are wonderful; many are unusual. Part of their charm (for those so charmed) is that they are so different from “cookie cutter” layouts in standard “apartments”, and so different from each other – even within the same line in the same building.
Real estate marketing being the excessive endeavor that it is, it should not surprise that the word “unique” is bandied about a lot with lofts.
bandy, bandy, bandy
But I was surprised at how much bandying there is. NYTimes.com has more than 100 hits for listings for lofts that contain the word “unique”. That’s just too many to fit, but which ones are not unique enough? Which ones are “really unique” or “truly unique”??
I guess that is a matter of personal taste, but here is a selection.
“a unique portfolio of extraordinary loft homes” at 135 W 4 St for $5.96mm
this “unique prewar loft” is also a “special duplex” from Halstead for $3.995mm
This unique home offers a perfect layout95 Greene for $3.5mm
in contrast, this one has “a unique, flexible floor plan” at 105 E 29 St for $2.995mm
patina of the original walls and tin framed windows give a unique warmth that balances the clean lines of the conversion” on W 17 St for $2.7mm
renovated to add all the modern day luxuries while preserving the unique original 1910 architectural details” at 684 Broadway for $2.595mm
here’s one on Christopher StWESTVILLAGE‘S PRIME LOCATION OFFERS A UNIQUE AND LUXURIOUS LOFT!” for $2.135mm
This one is both “unique and desirable” at 128 E 7 St for $1.85mm
At 416 Washington St there is “exceptional” and “offers a unique balance of history and modern design in one of the most glamorous and cosmopolitan areas of the city” for $1.45mm
354 Bowery contains a loft that is both “unique and rare” for $1.35mm
111 Barrow has a “unique and special” loft that is so unique and so special that “Pictures cannot capture the space and light” for $1.298mm
this one may be the most unique, because of its price ($685k) and location at 310 E 46 St in TurtleBayTowers, a prewar high rise in a non-loft area (but it is legit, as a former factory building), but here goes: “loft in space” (nice, eh?) “Welcome home to this unique sprawling lofty space with 13′ ceilings and a large standing sleeping loft” Bellmarc (actually, the “standing sleeping loft” does sound unique)
© Sandy Mattingly 2006
Tagged with: ,

Leave a Reply