This charming Tudor City studio is a squeeze. But at $1,825 is it worth it?

By Lucy Cohen Blatter | May 20, 2015 - 2:59PM

Tudor City apartments have a reputation for being on the small side, and this $1,825 studio at 25 Tudor City Place certainly is.

The (renovated) micro-apartment is in a micro-neighborhood on the far East Side of Manhattan's Murray Hill filled with stately pre-war buildings like the one this apartment is in. The area gets its name from the Tudor-style buildings — most of which are landmarked — which dominate the neighborhood. The streets end in cul-de-sacs, giving it a low-key, quiet feel.

On to the apartment: It looks like the median price for rentals in the neighborhood is way higher — at $2,575 — so despite its small size, you might still be getting a deal in this studio. Amenities include a full-time doorman, roof deck, garden, fitness room access, laundry room, bike room and common storage.

So, is it worth the squeeze? I asked our experts (and veteran renters), RentHackr founder Zeb Dropkin and freelance writer Lambeth Hochwald, to weigh in with me on this week's Take It or Leave It.

Size: Studio
Location: 25 Tudor City Place (between 41st and 42nd Street)
Cost: $1,825
Flexible layout: No
Days on the market: 40
Subway: S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42 St.- Grand Central

Pros and Cons:

"I love the windows in this place, and I love the price tag (though keep in mind that there's likely a 12 to 15 percent broker's fee in place). Plus, the building is gorgeous Gothic Revival-style. I also happen to really like Tudor City, which feels like an isolated enclave Tudor smack in the middle of midtown. That said, the apartment is teeny tiny. And if you want to cook, forget about it." — Lucy

"This is basically a hotel room in what appears to be a very nice building with great amenities—points for the finished rooftop, doorman, bike storage, and gym. The kitchen is a mini-fridge and a sink with no way to cook, not even a microwave." — Zeb

"There’s very little mystery to this micro-studio. It’s seemingly neat as a pin, with a 3D model to boot, so you know exactly how small this is—no surprises for the neighborhood where teensy ‘kitchens’ like this are the norm in many rentals. But I do give this place props for including utilities in the monthly price. Still, I’d call this a $1,825 crash pad at best and sleepy Tudor City means you’ll be walking (or Uber-ing) a lot to find some fun." — Lambeth

Who would this apartment be perfect for?

"A single person (do not even try and squeeze another human being into this place) who works in midtown and could walk to work. It helps if they appreciate beautiful architecture." — Lucy

"A single, no-pets professional working in midtown that eats out and stays out a lot could make this work." —Zeb

"A solo writer or artist type who has the cash to spare and will draw inspiration from the truly breathtaking roof-garden views."— Lambeth

The Verdict(s):

TAKE IT "For a year and see if it's doable. If you're looking for a longer commitment, it might be safer to go somewhere slightly bigger." — Lucy

TAKE IT "If your goal is to live with these amenities for under $2k, and you don't ever, ever cook. " — Zeb

LEAVE IT "Unless you just got a job near Grand Central Station. In that case, you’re a hop, skip and a jump from home!"— Lambeth

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