Location: 280 W. 78th St. (between Amsterdam and Broadway)
Size: 33 units, 20 stories
Prices: From $1.6 million – $8 million
Expected Occupancy: 2008
Developer: Urban Residential
Architect: Handel Architects
Sales & Marketing: Corcoran Sunshine

Overview: A Boutique Condo Building in the Land of the Brownstones
Linden 78 hasn’t actually been built yet – as of this writing it’s just a gap halfway down the Broadway-to-Amsterdam block on the south side of W. 78th Street – but that hasn’t prevented the developers from showing a lot of stunning pictures and pre-selling a lot of wildly expensive condo apartments. Recently I took a look at the building site, which offers views of a medium-rise building to the south and a row of typical Upper West Side brownstones on the north side of the street, and then paid a visit to the Sales & Design Center a few blocks away to see the model showrooms for the condo apartments that are planned.

The workmanship and design are outstanding – custom kitchens designed by Florense, an interior design boutique in Soho, are outfitted with Viking and Miele appliances; the master bath features his ‘n’ hers soaking tubs and Lagos Azul limestone floors; living room floors are made with 5-foot-wide oak planks.

In keeping with the Upper West Side’s older buildings and traditional family appeal, Linden 78 has been designed with only spacious apartments – none of those tiny little boxes that are being jam-packed into so many condo buildings today. The smallest apartments are two-bedrooms with about 1,200 square feet, and the largest are five-bedrooms with more than 4,500 square feet. There are only one or two apartments per floor, and at least one seems to take up two full floors. In addition to the decks on the penthouse apartments, there will also be a roof deck for the non-penthouse condo owners to share.

Tenants will have plenty of other amenities, too – bicycle storage, personal storage bins, a fitness center, a children’s playroom, and a landscaped garden.

Raves & Faves
Muted oak cabinetry in the kitchens is of extremely high quality.

Not So Hot
I was disappointed to find that Linden 78 does not pay commission to brokers purchasing their own residences. That’s tacky – new development sponsors generally pay 3 to 4% commissions. Why should Linden 78 discriminate against brokers?

Units: Layout, Pricing and Availability

These airy, comfortable apartments will have high ceilings and large French windows overlooking beautiful views. Some will have windows on three sides. Bathrooms and closets are plentiful, there are eat-in kitchens and in some cases walk-in pantries, and the wide hallways, referred to rather grandly as “galleries,” add an air of elegance.
Only a few apartments are currently available:
3-bedroom (2,306 square feet) – $3.6 million
4-bedroom (1,995 square feet) – $4.0 million
5-bedroom duplex (4,612 square feet) – $7.7 million
Penthouse with roof deck (3,006 interior square feet) – $8.0 million

2-bedroom apartments have been sold for as little as $1.6 million.

Come See for Yourself
Interested in buying at the Linden 78? Give us a call at 212-220-4633 or 917-603-6224, or email us. As a buyer broker, our services are free to you, and we represent your interests. We’ll be delighted to show you apartments at the Linden 78 and other comparable properties. Be sure to ask about our rebate program.

Location & Neighborhood
The Upper West Side is one of the most family-oriented residential neighborhoods in New York. The area has long been a welcome haven for young professionals and those with an artistic bent. Apartments in this neighborhood have ample access to plenty of stores and markets (including the renowned Zabar’s on Broadway between 80th and 81st Streets), public transportation, great public and private schools, and two major parks.

There have always been a number of shops and restaurants in this region, and the strong economy in recent years has only contributed to their proliferation. Both Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues are probably the best examples of this trend. Each thoroughfare does brisk business on weekends, especially during the summer months.

The Linden 78 condominium is within easy walking distance of Lincoln Center, one of the most important cultural centers in Manhattan, housing five major performing groups and the Juillard School; the world-famous Museum of Natural History with the Rose Planetarium; and both Central Park and the slightly less well-known but just as beautiful Riverside Park.

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