New York City is the United States’ most populous city. With over 8.2 million residents spread out over 304 square feet of land. It’s no wonder that New York City also holds the title of the densest populated city. As with any major metropolis, a large number of housing units are necessary to support the residents of the city. The high rise apartment in New York is one such type of housing available to locals.
High rise apartments were first built in the 1880s to accommodate the city’s large and growing population. These days, you can find a high rise apartment in every single borough. These types of apartment complexes are so large that the residents of each often feel like they are living in their own communities. The landlord or management team’s staff members support these communities. In fact, some are so large that they even have their own zip codes. An example of this, is the Pavillion high rise apartment building in the Upper East Side on 500 East 77th Street, New York, NY, 10162. This building is one of the five rental buildings in the United States to have its own zip code.
What is a high rise apartment in New York?
New York law defines a high-rise apartment as a building that exceeds 75 feet in height from the lowest floor a fire department vehicle can access. Everything lower than this height limit is defined as a low rise apartment. Given a high rise apartment building’s size, it is usually governed by special regulations in New York City’s Building Code for everything from construction classification, elevators, fire safety, to zoning regulations.
Residents living in a high rise apartment in New York can usually expect building amenities such as elevators, laundry access (whether in unit or in the building), doorman services, a package room, and a fitness center.
Where can you find a high rise apartment in New York?
Most residential high rises can be found in Midtown Manhattan in Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Midtown East, or in Downtown Manhattan in neighborhoods such as Tribeca, Financial District, and Battery Park City. Outside of Manhattan, the borough of Queens has plenty of luxury high rises in Long Island City, and the borough of Brooklyn in Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and Greenpoint. In recent years, new high rise apartment developments are appearing in the Bronx in Mott Haven and Staten Island in North Shore.
Zoning regulations and land costs are the largest factors behind the development of high rise apartment complexes in the city. Most of the city still consists of low to mid-rise apartments; however, those interested in living in a high-rise apartment should consider a few things.
Pros and Cons of living in a high rise apartment
A high rise apartment in New York has many things to offer. From a sense of community to the endless building amenities, there are lots of good reasons to choose to live in a high rise. However, there are also some downsides.
Pros of living in a high rise apartment in New York
Convenience
Most high rise buildings are located in well-developed neighborhoods. As a result, it can be extremely convenient to live in one. Some developers categorize high-rise buildings as mixed-use and place commercial stores on the ground floor. Often the businesses are vetted for and chosen as an added convenience for the residents upstairs. We’ve seen buildings with a popular coffee chain store, vet, pet spa, or daycare facilities for children on their ground floor.
Easy access to stores, restaurants, and more is part of the convenience. High rise buildings are usually also within walking distance to public transportation options. For those that drive, high rise buildings will often have their own garage or access to a local garage with discounts.
Security
High-rise apartments usually have a team of staff to support their residents. From doormen, concierge desk staff, to package room attendants, there are many more people around to keep an eye on everything. Additional security cameras and eyes on non-residents who come and go from the building increase overall safety. Some newly built buildings will distribute key fobs that only allow you access to certain floors such as your own floor and amenity spaces.
Quick response from management
In addition to added security, having more members of the building staff on hand means that your issues will also be more quickly resolved. High rise landlords and management teams usually have a dedicated maintenance team. These staff members work on resolving and fixing throughout the building day-to-day.
The view
If you’re lucky enough to live on the top floors of a high rise apartment in New York, you’ll most likely have a great view of the nearby cityscape or the clear unobstructed sky. In a city like New York, nice views and access to more natural light are a luxury that most would pay big bucks for.
Amenities
The amenities offered in high rise apartments are plentiful. Some include a dedicated package room, laundry facilities, a children’s playroom, a fitness center, dedicated work lounges, and more. There’s a little something for everyone.
Elevator Access
For many New Yorkers with accessibility needs, elevator access isn’t just a want, it’s a necessity. In these types of buildings, elevators are a requirement. Strict regulations govern elevators in high rises, and they are usually well-maintained. Gone are the days of lugging your groceries up five flights of stairs or having to worry about lugging a stroller down your walk-up.
Cons of living in a high rise apartment in New York
Costs of living
Cost is one of the main downsides of living in a high rise apartment in New York. Typically, these types of buildings cost a lot to develop. They are owned and managed by a large landlord or management company. With most newly developed high rises, landlords pass a lot of the costs down to residents in the form of rent. Some buildings will charge possible amenity access fees separately.
Noise
The possibility of noise pollution is another downside. While most newly developed buildings sound-proof their walls well, some older buildings have thinner walls. This means that sounds from your neighbors or from the street level to leak through to your own unit. For most folks, the sounds of city life aren’t so bad (especially for New Yorkers who’ve lived here for years). However, if you happen to live on a particularly busy street or if your neighbors happen to love hosting parties or get-togethers, then the noise situation could escalate quickly.
Pet restrictions
Many high-rise buildings set policies on the types of pets you’re allowed to have. Pet policies may dictate the type of pet you have, the specific breed, and even the size of your pet. It’s not uncommon for a building management team to request information such as proof of immunizations for your pet. If you already have a pet or plan to adopt one, check with building management first about their policies to avoid surprises down the road.
Find high rise apartment in New York
If all of this has piqued your interest in living in an high rise apartment. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to learn more. You can easily search online using the search term “high rise apartment New York” or utilize RentHop to check out some of the great high rise apartment options near you.
