Local landlord-turned-mayor Bill de Blasio has just rented out one of his three homes (two in Brooklyn that he owns, and one on the Upper East Side that he grudgingly moved into). One of his two wood-frame houses on 11th Street in Park Slope, with three bedrooms, is now rented for the next year at $4,975 a month, or a few thousand dollars more a year than the median New York City household income.
Bill de Blasio the politician has called for a rent freeze and even supported, as the Democratic mayoral nominee, rent stabilizing some illegal basement conversions and “granny flats” in homes in immigrant neighborhoods worth much less than his own.
But Bill de Blasio the property owner is cashing in on rising home prices in South Slope.
Bill de Blasio the politician has taken a hard line with real estate developers, with his housing team sending a clear message that they value market-rate development for nothing beyond what can be wrung from them in terms of affordable housing.
But Bill de Blasio the property owner is renting out his home for more than many similar properties ask in brand new buildings. The home he’s renting out is actually pricier than many newly-built three-bedroom apartments throughout Brooklyn, and a few in Manhattan, too.
So without further ado, YIMBY presents a list of five brand new (or almost new) homes that market-rate developers have built for more affordable price points than the house Bill de Blasio and his family have just rented out. So if you’re tired of the unaffordable housing that the de Blasios are pushing in historic Park Slope, try giving a call to the brokers listing apartments in these new buildings, where you can at least (usually) get two bathrooms for your money.
1209 Dekalb Avenue, image from colony1209.com
In South Bushwick, near where the M train splits from the J/Z, a new rental project, branded as Colony 1209, was built by Nexus Development. Would-be residents can rent a three-bedroom apartment there for just $2,771 a month (net effective rent) – about half the price of the home on 11th Street. In addition to a doorman, parking and plentiful outdoor space, the unit comes with two bathrooms – twice the number found in the de Blasios’ home.
475 West 146th Street, image from Trulia
While many of the brand new units renting at the de Blasios’ price point are in Brooklyn, there are some to be found elsewhere, like this three-bedroom, three-bath unit in Hamilton Heights/Sugar Hill. Opened last year, the ornate, prewar-styled building is offering this duplex unit – a massive 2,500 square footer, twice the size of the de Blasios’ home – for $4,100 a month, and comes with a private terrace.
62 Avenue B, image from Streeteasy
Closer to the heart of the city, there’s a three-bedroom building on offer in a six-story building that opened in 2013 in Alphabet City. The building – “Bloom 62,” it’s marketed as – boasts built-in air conditioning units (no window units, like on 11th Street), an in-unit washer/dryer and a gym. It can be all yours for just $4,775 a month, or $200 less than the de Blasios’ home.
80 Meserole Street, image from Jewish Business News
In trendy East Williamsburg, this three-bedroom, two-bath apartment can be all yours for $4,450, saving you over $6,000 a year off rent in the de Blasios’ 11th Street home. The building opened in 2011, and features private outdoor space, a yoga room, a dog-washing room, and underground parking.
351 Franklin Avenue, image from Brownstoner
This Bed-Stuy building, opened in 2012, might be off the G train, but at $3,800 for a three-bedrom, 1.5-bath apartment, it’s much more affordable than 11th Street. It comes with 1,650 square feet of living space, significantly more than you get with the de Blasios, and includes central air conditioning – a rare amenity in new rental buildings, which is much quieter, comfortable and more energy efficient than the leaky window units on 11th Street. The building has a laundry room, but there’s also a washer/dryer hookup in the apartment if you want to bring your own. The apartment is a duplex, and it includes yard and balcony space.
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