Better Area - Orion (Hell's Kitchen) or Sky House (Flatiron)

[bsjd00]

I am considering an apartment at either Orion on West 42nd or the new Sky House currently being constructed on East 29th.

Any opinions on which area would be better for a single 20/30-something?

I'm guessing that Hell's Kitchen would be a little more lively and fun, but that Flatiron might not have the sketchiness concerns I hear in regard to Orion and the Port Authority?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on these or other elements - transportation, resale value, etc.

[lofter1]

It depends a lot on where you'll be working and what you want.

Sky House (although not one of my >> ahem << favorite buildings now going up) will offer awesome views of the Empire State Building up-close. Madison Square is a terrific area, but just a mere couple of blocks away along Broadway between 26th <> 32nd you have a very commercial strip of vendors and who knows what. Transportation is good - just a 10 block walk to Grand Central and subway lines nearby.

The Orion is much more in the thick of things -- and the proximity of 9th Avenue with it's diversity of food stores and restaurants offers something that you won't find near Sky House. Plus the amount of entertainment options within a couple of blocks of The Orion could be a huge plus.

My sense is that Sky House is going to be a stodgier / moe conservative gang than the folks you'll find at The Orion.

[Peteynyc1]

If you are willing to wait a while, and it sounds like you are if you are considering Sky House, why not consider the new Platinum building a little ways up on 8th Ave. You could start working some real estate connections and get in there one of the first days sales begin, thus getting a better price and have your choice of floorplan and location in the building. Looks to be a decent project which will quickly rise soon. That would solve your Port Authority issue as its a safe distance away, while retaining your action packed Times Square / Hells Kitchen festivities.

[bsjd00]

Thanks for your replies! Lofter1, do you not like Sky House because of the empty brick wall that runs along one side? That's a pretty valid reason, I have to admit.

Are there any good restaurants or entertainment options near Sky House? I don't mind a walk up to Hell's Kitchen on weekends, but I'd like to have some options near where I'll be living if I end up in Sky House.

I did look at Platinum and it seems like it'd be a great option, but the impression I get is that it won't be complete until 2008 or 2009. (Lofter1 posted on the Platinum thread that concrete hasn't even been poured yet.) Sky House on the other hand should be complete in July of this year.

[stache]

There are a ton of chic restaurants below 23rd. St. They are concentrated on the side streets mainly off of Broadway, also on Park Ave. South. It's very swingle. There are also lots of interesting restaurants in Little India. If you're in the area it's worth spending a day to comb the local grid on foot. There's quite a bit going on.

[lofter1]

(Lofter1 posted on the Platinum thread that concrete hasn't even been poured yet.)

I've since updated (http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showpost.php?p=140253&postcount=108) that post you mention -- as of ~ 10 days ago work inside the completed foundation has begun so the Platinum should begin to rise soon --

But I think you're correct that it won't be occupiable until the end of 2008 -- at the very earliest. 2009 seems more likely.

For example, at the site for The Link the demo of the previous building at that site took place in Spring of 2005 and Permits for the Structural Work on that building were issued in May 2005.

So it was ~ 2 years for that somewhat comparable building to go from hole-in-the-ground to move-in-date.

[Stern]

I am considering an apartment at either Orion on West 42nd or the new Sky House currently being constructed on East 29th.

Any opinions on which area would be better for a single 20/30-something?

I'm guessing that Hell's Kitchen would be a little more lively and fun, but that Flatiron might not have the sketchiness concerns I hear in regard to Orion and the Port Authority?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated on these or other elements - transportation, resale value, etc.


To tell you the truth I think the immediate area around Skyhouse is more sketchy than the area around the Orion. With the Orion you have proximity to Times Square and the artist housing at Manhattan Plaza. The area around Skyhouse is dominated by the rag trade, the streets are usually empty and the traders close shop very early and usually on weekends. The area around Skyhouse is dead and I've gotten the impression can be somewhat dangerous.

[lofter1]

Streets in close vicinity to the Sky House definitely are "dead" after hours.

But "dangerous" ????

[Stern]

Streets in close vicinity to the Sky House definitely are "dead" after hours.

But "dangerous" ????

Well not dangerous for me. I've never gotten robbed or threatened in New York City, but I could see it being dangerous for the wrong type of person.

[bsjd00]

Well, as they say, there's safety in numbers. And Orion sure is busy.

Has anyone heard updates on whether the project to remodel the Port Authority will be revived? You'll still have the same element looming in the area, but if the building itself looks better that would certainly help.

By the way, I looked at The Link (mentioned above) and think that building would solve both of my issues - seems safer than Orion, and more lively than Sky House. But there are no apartments in my price range (800-900).

Thanks to everyone that's replied so far - you're all a true asset to this board, and to the city.

[jennicak]

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12012

specifically talks a lot about the grand madison, but also discusses the mad sq pk area. good luck

[Peakrate212]

Remember Sylvia Myles' character in Wall Street (the movie), "When its resale time, you cant go wrong with the Upper East Side........"

[stache]

That area in the early '90's was popular for prostitutes, but not any more. If you go East toward 2nd. Ave. you run into some pretty gamey housing projects, so that would be a no-no at night. Madison Sq. can be a little creepy with the homeless. It used to be very bad, then it got better with the park rehab, but it might be backsliding a bit. South side of 23rd. St. between 5th & Park can be crappy but I don't find it unsafe, a newbie might think otherwise.

[bigkdc]

the actual few block radius around skyhouse has next to nothing going on - especially at night. I dont think it is dangerous at all but there just isnt too much happening. Nightlife and restaurants are minimal. As mentioned above, there is a lot more going on if you go 6+ blocks south.

[jennicak]

IN HARM'S 'SWAY' IN FLATIRON




By ANGELA MONTEFINISE

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Shaking in the shadows."); s.link = "/seven/01212007/photos/news009.jpg"; s.target = ""; s.attr = ""; s.filter = ""; SLIDES.add_slide(s); if (false) SLIDES.shuffle(); http://www.nypost.com/seven/01212007/photos/news009.jpg (javascript:SLIDES.hotlink())
102 MADISON AVE.
Shaking in the shadows.



http://www.nypost.com/img/newsart/article_storybottom.gif

January 21, 2007 -- Workers at a Flatiron District office building have become unwilling movers and shakers.
Employees at 102 Madison Ave. are all shook up over the construction next door of a 55-story luxury apartment tower that they say is making their smaller, cement building sway.
"It absolutely never moved before," said George Macdonald, facilities manager of Communications Plus, on the seventh floor of the 12-story, nearly 90-year-old edifice.
Various companies' workers said the swaying was closer to trembling last week - causing doors to open, chairs to slide, pictures to fall off walls, and some workers to reach for motion-sickness pills.
The Clarett Group, a real-estate firm, is building the 139-unit Sky House on 29th Street - about a foot from 102 Madison.
Communications Plus' Robert O'Leary said a December construction accident left a "huge amount" of concrete between the two buildings, "basically fusing them together."
Now, "when their building shakes, so does ours," he said. "[But] a skyscraper is meant to shake; our building is not." angela.montefinise@nypost.com (angela.montefinise@nypost.com)