Living in Morningside Gardens

A hidden desirable enclave

The Morningside Heights Housing Co-op is a success story. In NYC real estate such stories are not widely reported. We think of success as multi-million-dollar sales and record-breaking prices but this story is about a well-hidden gem. The complex of six buildings covering nine acres in the heart of Morningside Heights, was originally formed under the auspices of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development with wide community support. By 1993 it was no longer under the city’s jurisdiction, settling into a free market category.?

Today it sits adjacent to two new luxury towers, Claremont Hall and the Vandewater, where the prices far exceed those of this humbler but no less desirable enclave.? A fully renovated two-bedroom home at Morningside Gardens can be found for about $700,000 whereas a comparably sized apartment in a luxury tower is closer to $1,700.000. There are restrictions on ownership and usage which account for the price differential not to mention the architectural disparity. The hallways and elevators are clean and tidy yet a far cry from the luxury of a towner designed by Robert A.M. Stern. But what Morningside Gardens lacks in beautiful facades and interiors, it more than makes up for with stunning gardens, a rich amenity offering and a deep tradition of a caring community.?

The complex gardens and community spaces have recently undergone a large renovation. The local landscape architects at Terrain were hired to redesign walkways, ramps, stairs, parking, and entry plazas across the site. The original landscape design, by Clarke and Rapuano, remains mostly intact but today it has been upgraded for our modern lifestyles with time spent in green space having become more popular over the past five years. Residents enjoy a wide variety of amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, children's indoor playrooms, outdoor playground and daycare, "Tweens" activity room with a pool table, air hockey and table-tennis. The community is quite active organizing clubs, workshops, ceramic's (they have their own kiln), yoga, woodworking, photography, computer, theater, music and more. You can access meeting rooms, storage, and a parking garage when you live here.?

There are some restrictions for owners which tends to keep the demand lower than a nearby condominium. It must be your primary residence and shareholders are not allowed to add a washer/dryer in their apartment or a second bath in any but the very largest apartments. Sublets are allowed but with a hefty fee imposed. Many of the residents love living in the complex and many have been there since the beginning. One friendly resident recently shared the story of a 96-year-old woman who is famous for her long walks, purportedly stretching her legs from 123rd Street to 96th Street multiple times a day. In inclement weather she walks the hallways, one at a time from the 21st floor down to the lobby level.?

The location is ideal and everything you need is just steps away. Nearby recreation includes NYC Parks tennis courts, playgrounds, bicycle paths and three major parks: Morningside Park, Sakura Park and Riverside Park. Morningside Gardens is near many academic institutions including: Columbia University, Barnard, Manhattan School of Music, Union Theological Seminary and the Jewish Theological Seminary. The recent nearby Columbia Expansion public offerings include a rock -climbing wall, a food hall and The Wallach Art gallery. There is even the recently built Manhattanville Factory District including the Taystee lab building. Enjoy quick and easy access to numerous restaurants, shops, cultural attractions, and public transportation options. The energy of this neighborhood is palpable and is one of the reasons locals love calling this area home. Come explore Morningside Gardens and see if it is right for you.

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