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Can They Settle In Soho Before The Baby Comes?

Maaya and Avi* were newlyweds living in a one bedroom condo on the Upper East Side. They were expecting their first baby, and eager to find a home they could grow into.

Maaya had always been interested in moving downtown to Soho, but she also hoped to live on a quiet block near a park. They preferred a doorman building, but they also loved the classic loft vibe. This combination is sparse - most Soho lofts have a virtual doorman system at best.

Maaya and Avi reached out to me through Instagram, and had the following requests:

• Room for their in-laws to visit and help with the baby

• Doorman building with a loft vibe

• Tons of natural light and an interesting view

• A separate office for Avi to close the door during meetings

Among their options:

No. 1:
The Luxe & Moody

Unlike most lofts, this 2 bedroom, 2500sf space was wider than it was deep. This gave the benefit of having all windows face the front and field the best light. Typical floor-through soho lofts are more narrow, with the living room in the front and the bedrooms in the rear — often facing the rear brick wall of another building. While the finishes were jaw dropping, the all-black bathrooms felt a bit too moody.

No. 2:
The Reclaimed Corner

This 2 bedroom, 2000 sqft corner loft featured wide plank reclaimed wood floors and venetian plaster walls. Unlike the other buildings we toured, this co-op had almost 300 units and a full time doorman. As a corner unit, it had incredible light pouring in. While the home felt like a win, it was formed by combining two separate apartments - pushing the maintenance fee past $6k/month.

No. 3:
The Simple Space

This 3 bedroom, 2000 sqft loft offered the right canvas for Maaya & Avi to design their own home over time. Priced the lowest among the three options, this home would offer them the opportunity to live there and make changes down the line. The ikea kitchen certainly called for an upgrade, but the bathrooms were simple and appealing, so very little demo would be required for a bold transformation.

*names have been changed

Which Home Do You Think They Chose?

THEIR HOME:
THE RECLAIMED CORNER
Maaya and Avi had their sights set on a Soho loft, but also appreciated the luxury of the doorman building they were renting uptown.

When they stepped into this home, they immediately felt soothed by the natural elements: The reclaimed oak used for the wide plank floors and 11’ doors, the venetian plaster walls, and the abundance of light flowing in from the dual exposures. Of course, the gourmet kitchen sealed the deal.

Though the home had only two bedrooms, it did include a separate home office for Avi to work from home and offered sufficient space to build out a third bedroom.

The convenience of the home was unmatched: A popular coffee shop sat right downstairs, and they were a few minutes walk from Washington Square Park. During our initial home search, they felt Soho was a bit too bustling for their taste, and this home’s corner in Noho felt far more serene. From inside and out, this loft was the perfect fit.

MARKET INDICATOR
Manhattan

Brooklyn

NO DUMB QUESTIONS
My Parents are Funding Our Home Purchase. Who Has to Pay the Gift Tax?

Odds are, neither of you will need to pay the gift tax. Check this out: