A bright, South Harlem studio with pool access and a tax abatement, for $650,000

If you think you would exercise more if your building had a pool, this studio in South Harlem, 1485 Fifth Ave. #12G., will let you test the theory, without sky-high common charges. The unit is offered at $650,000. Monthly fees are $457 and as there’s a 421-a abatement in place until 2035, taxes are only $6 per month (for now).

A 667-square-foot one bedroom sold in the building four months ago for $718,000. If a buyer of this 573-square-foot studio negotiated the same price per square foot, it would work out closer to $620,000.

The studio has one large window facing west—a good orientation for afternoon and evening light. The main facades of the building get a lot of natural light all year long and the view looks pretty far-reaching. The built-in Murphy bed was imported from Italy and doubles as a sofa when it's folded against the wall. When it's down it looks like there's still plenty of room to move around. 

The unit is finished with Brazilian cherry oak floors and the kitchen has stainless steel appliances including a Bosch dishwasher and a Gaggenau fridge.

The bathroom has a tub with a shower fixture and the walls and floor are finished in marble. The unit has two built-in closets for storage as well as one containing a washer/dryer. 

Amenities in the building include the heated lap pool as well as a full-time doorman, concierge service, package room, bike room, two sundecks, community room with a catering kitchen, kids’ playroom, fitness center, and parking. The building was completed in 2007.

Construction of new housing is booming in this part of Harlem and the blocks around Park Avenue and 125th are slated for dense residential, office and retail development. Car share services and Citi Bike are both expanding in the neighborhood. The building is right on Marcus Garvey Park, 10 blocks from Central Park and it’s a 10- to 15-minute walk to the 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 subway stops at 116th and 125th streets.