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New York Apartment terminology A-Z

Alcove: an area adjoining the living room which can be used for a dining area or be separated or closed off to make a bedroom, den or office.

Classic: in a pre-war building, an apartment which has a formal dining room, and, in a larger apartment, one or two maids' rooms. A "classic six", for example, is a six-room apartment in a pre-war building that has a living room, formal dining room, two bedrooms, kitchen, maid's room, and 1, 2, or 3 baths. In the larger classics, it is common to find the smaller maids' rooms combined into one larger room. Frequently, pre-war buildings have been gutted and "rehabbed," but room counts and layouts will usually be listed according to their original configuration.

Convertible, Flex or Junior: an apartment with an alcove off the living room which can be converted to another bedroom or used as a dining area. A "convertible two-bedroom" or "flex two" is a one-bedroom apartment with a large alcove and one or two bathrooms.

Duplex: Two floors in an apartment.

Flex: see "convertible" or "junior"

Floor-through: A whole floor of a building. Usually in brownstones and townhouses.

Furnished Units: apartments, which are fully equipped with furniture and amenities. Such apartments are for long or short term lease.

Junior: a "junior 4" would be a potential 4- room apartment: living room, bedroom, kitchen, and alcove area (bathroom is not counted as a room). "Junior 1" is a 2.5 room apartment an L shaped studio mafe into a bedroom

Loft area: sometimes found in an apartment with high ceilings. It is typically an area, accessible by ladder or small staircase, which has been built for storage or as an extra sleeping or living area.

Loft: Large open space usually in a converted industrial building.

Mini Loft: New millenium name for studio without an alocove.

One-bedroom: A one-bedroom is a three-room apartment (kitchen, living room, and bedroom). A one-bedroom with a windowed alcove large enough to be a bedroom is called a "junior 4 (4 rooms), "flex 2" or "convertible 2" (convertible to two bedrooms).

Penthouse: Top floor of building can be any size apartment, usually has outdoor space.

Pied-a-terre: An apartment in NYC that is not the owner's primary residence it is the owners NYC apartment.

Studio: a studio is a two-room apartment (the kitchen is considered one room). An "alcove studio" is a studio with an alcove for dining or sleeping. A studio with a windowed alcove large enough to be a bedroom can be referred to as a "junior one-bedroom" or "junior 3" (three rooms).

Triplex: Three floors in an apartment.

Two-bedroom: a two-bedroom can be a four, five or six-room apartment. A "flex 3" or "convertible 3" is a two-bedroom apartment with space for an additional room (third bedroom, dining room, den, maid's room, homeoffice, etc.)

Three -Bedroom and up: a three bedroom or four bedroom apartment.

 

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11 Comments on New York Apartment terminology A-Z: A Consumer Guide

JAN
27
2007
110,915 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Is there a quiz? I think I could memorize it. I'll take a Classic 6, rennovated tastefully with all the original appointments.  The only word we would use differently (because we don't use most of the ones above lol) here is duplex. A duplex is a two family house, side by side living space attached by the middle walls. Very interesting!

3:08pm • #1
378,936 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
We have different building terminolgy also.   In another post
5:20pm • #2
164,338 Points 58 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Pretty cool!   I always wondered what those words mean!  If read the New York Times, I bet I'd see them all there, huh?   Or are there abreviations of abreviations?

7:37pm • #3
378,936 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Linda,

Yes there are abreviations of abreviations in the Times because their classifieds are so expensive. Broker jargon in the Times is as fun to play as the crossword puzzle.

Here is one: 

FT/DM/Reno/Stu/WBFP/EIK/vu = Full time doorman, renovated studio with wood burning fireplace, eat-in-kitchen with a view

7:54pm • #4
164,338 Points 58 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Kind of like a word game for realtors!   I especially like VU for view.  LOL

7:57pm • #5
JAN
30
2007
312,577 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog
You came along at the right time! Great terms, although duplex and triplex mean something completely different here.
12:06pm • #6
JAN
31
2007
378,936 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Dena,

Thanks for stopping by. It's interesting how terminology means different things in different markets

8:17am • #7
JUL
03
2007

Great post!  We should think about adding some of these other terms to our gainesville apartments website... :)  Since we are in a college town, there are lots of other terms to worry about, too: dorms, student housing, individual lease, JSL leases, legacy leases... good idea to make a list on our site! :)

Thanks for the post!

3:40pm • #8
JAN
14
2009
164,338 Points 58 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

I was subscribed to this post and just was notified when you changed it.  I thought this was awesome when you originally posted it (still do) but I'm amazed it was so long ago.

6:48am • #9
378,936 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Linda, I just went back and added activerain channels to my old posts.

7:18am • #10
DEC
15
2010

One should take note of the above terminologies when planning on renting or buying property in New York so that there would be no misundertanding between you and the realtor. http://www.maidsandcleaners.com/new_york_NY_maids.html

New York maids
7:52am • #13

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Mitchell Hall NYC Real Estate Broker

Manhattan, NY

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