By Bill Parry
A three-bedroom, 3 1/2-bathroom apartment has set a new record for rentals in Astoria at $5,000 per month, according to an agent at Douglas Elliman, which had the exclusive listing.
The Greek owner of the townhouse, on35th Street,lives in Geneva, Switzerland, and did a wholesale renovation of the property with European-style finishes.
“The apartment is amazing, an exquisite gut renovation of a pre-war building,” registered agent Justin Kinslow said. “There is no other renovation that comes close to this in all of Astoria.”
Nor do the rents, Kinslow added.
“In terms of reported rents, the only thing close to it is $4,000 per month,” he said.
The townhouse is fully customized with the latest technological innovations, from central air-conditioning and in-floor heating controlled by remote with an iPhone application. There is also a 500-square-foot media room in the basement, right next to the heated underground parking garage.
Each room features European design with exposed brick walls, white cedar floors, stylized windows with double-paned glass, recessed lighting with dimmers, Paggen Pohl black granite counters, Hans Grohe sinks and high-end appliances including a Subzero wine refrigerator. The apartment came equipped with a video-linked intercom and alarm system.
The unit was listed in late January and Kinslow had his tenants lined up less than two months later.
“They are three guys in their mid-20s, all Ivy League graduates who work in finance and were looking for more space,” he said. “They really like the feel of the community, having moved from the East Village where they say everyone is there to just party.”
Kinslow had record-making success with the townhouse’s second apartment as well.
“The second floor is 500 square feet and it’s renting for $2,750 per month. That’s the highest rent per square foot in Astoria,” he said.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
