The Parker

This is my first apartment ever and boy did I get lucky. The fact that there is a waiting list for apartments in this building really says it all. "The Parker" is a rare gem in East Harlem. It is part of the Parker/Miles duo managed by Urban America. I moved in a year ago (May 2014), and it was impossible find a newly renovated one bedroom with a security guard, an elevator, and a small courtyard on Lexington avenue 1.5 blocks from the 6 train that was under $2,000.00/month. What's even more... impossible to find is all utilities included. Seriously, even electricity is included. The neighborhood is probably the last affordable part of Manhattan, and this is easily one of the best buildings around. My neighbors are friendly, quiet, mostly senior citizens (because it used to be housing for the elderly), and the block is relatively quiet as well. If you have a car the building also has a parking lot.
The apartments in the building are all one bedrooms, almost identical. And TRUE one bedrooms, not alcove or junior one bedrooms. The bedroom has a big double door closet, and the living room/entryway has three good sized closets. The bathroom is a nice size and also completely renovated. Floors are hard wood, and the appliances are stainless steel. At least 75% of the apartments actually have a really nice view toward downtown manhattan. There are AC sleeves below the windows in the bedroom and living room, and my kitchen had the infrastructure to be able to add a breakfast bar. (I did and it's great). But I'm not sure all of the apartments have this possibility.
Security is cordial, management is pretty helpful, posting signs and notices when needed and answering my inquiries promptly over phone/e-mail, and the super is pretty efficient and smart, albeit grouchy.
Really my only complaint is that the laundry room hasn't been renovated in a while and the machines aren't great, so I use the laundromat down the block. Needless to say, for the price... I'm a very happy tenant. Read More