Go inside 5 of Long Island's newest apartment buildings
Nicole Scrofani at her apartment inside Amityville's Greybarn. Credit: Shelby Knowles
Looking for old architecture? An on-site concierge? A park just for your dogs? Some of Long Island’s newest apartment complexes offer these amenities and more.
Suburban community living with all the trimmings
Greybarn, Amityville
Nicole Scrofani and her two dogs at Greybarn Barn in Amityville. Credit: Shelby Knowles
Vibe The main thing to know about Greybarn is that’s it’s big. Really big. It currently boasts 325 units, and expects to have 500 units total by the time the property is completed in 2020. Yet there’s a strong sense of community, fostered in part by activities at the complex.
Amenities There are more than 20 acres of green space, including a dog park, as well as outdoor kitchens, two swimming pools and a community garden. A gym offers Peloton bikes. Buildings are fully wired from WiFi throughout to Nest thermostats, and there is an electronic door lock system, Luxer One package lockers, Butterfly Mx intercoms and electric car charging ports. There also is a billiards room, a screening room and a residents-only lounge. Pets are permitted, and parking is included.
Nicole Scrofani in the gym at the complex. Credit: Shelby Knowles
Extras Residents are treated to monthly networking events, as well as cooking classes, book clubs, summer movie nights on the lawn and a ride-share program that provides lifts to the Farmingdale train station during rush hours and to the Village of Babylon on Friday and Saturday nights.
Rent $2,700 a month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit to around $3,150 a month for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit.
What it’s like “What makes this place unique is the community here, not just the people who work here, but everyone,” says Nicole Scrofani, 39, a Pilates instructor and product specialist for a fitness and sports software company. Scrofani says that in-house events give her the opportunity to meet and hang out with her neighbors, which is a big part of what she likes about the complex. “Oftentimes in suburbia, you go home and feel isolated,” she says, “but here it’s very community-oriented.” Scrofani, who has two dogs, also appreciates all the green space. “They can walk everywhere, and it’s fantastic,” she says.
Contact 631-414-8500, http://greybarn-li.com
City sanctuary in the suburbs
1 Third Avenue, Mineola
Micheli and John Ablamsky outside One Third Avenue in Mineola. Credit: Barry Sloan
Vibe While it’s not quite the same as living in New York City, 1 Third Avenue — Mineola’s tallest building, 12 stories at 120 feet — comes as close as possible. Thirty-six minutes to Manhattan by the Long Island Rail Road and a block from the train station, the 312-unit ultramodern building is a commuter’s dream, and the tenants are almost entirely daily commuters or doctors working at nearby NYU Winthrop Hospital.
Amenities Tenants are treated to a slew of city-style amenities, including a 24-hour doorman and on-site maintenance staff. A glassed rooftop offers a fireplace and views of Manhattan, while the 50,000-square-foot landscaped and furnished roof deck offers barbecue grills. There’s a 50-foot indoor pool with a sauna and a fitness center as well as on-site indoor parking. Units include built-in Bluetooth sound systems and keyless entry locks. Pets up to 50 pounds are allowed with no extra fees. One free indoor parking space is offered to all residents.
Micheli and John Ablamsky in their apartment. Credit: Barry Sloan
Extras Each year, the building offers a family friendly annual holiday brunch with Santa, which members of the Mineola fire department attend wearing holiday costumes.
Rent $3,000 a month for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit to about $6,000 a month for penthouses
What it’s like Tenants John and Micheli Ablamsky, 34 and 27 and both accountants, sold their co-op in Bayside in the wake of this year’s federal tax overhaul, which capped state income and local property tax deductions at $10,000. The building’s location — close to everything, including the train station — has cut down on their commutes and allowed them to reduce their expenses even more by sharing a car.
Contact 516-746-6633, https://onethirdave.com
Conveniently located and industrial chic
Ice House, Huntington
Natchnan "Peachy" Martin and Spencer Martin, with daughter, Harper, outside Huntington's Ice House. Credit: Johnny Milano
Vibe Located in the former Losquadro ice factory, the Ice House is a study in contrasts. With its industrial chic exterior and imposing footprint, the three-story mixed-development building is certainly an area landmark. Inside the 26-unit building, though, it’s all contemporary and almost nothing remains of its former iteration.
Amenities There’s an elevator, an on-site super and one parking spot included with rent (additional spaces in a separate covered lot cost $200 each a month. Some units include a washer/dryer, and the small pet-friendly building’s ground floor retail space features a veterinarian in addition to a barre fitness studio and a beauty salon. Perks include granite counters and stainless steel appliances in the kitchens and marble vanities in the bathrooms.
The Martins in the kitchen of their apartment. Credit: Johnny Milano
Rent $2,300 to $2,600 for a one-bedroom,one-bathroom unit to $3,400 to $3,800 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit.
What it’s like Being among the first tenants in a brand-new building was certainly part of the draw for Spencer Martin, 38, an importer who lives in the building with his wife, Natchnan “Peachy” Martin, 37, formerly director of sourcing at an organic coconut water company, and their 4-month-old daughter, Harper. The building’s high-end finishes and new renovation were a big plus. Although Spencer says he wishes the building had more on-site amenities, such as a lounge or recreational area, even a pool or yard, he is willing to forgo those perks for the convenience. “Being right on the edge of the village of Huntington allows us to easily walk to the any of the restaurants and shops in town,” he says. “We don’t have to deal with all of the traffic and parking issues, especially on a Friday or Saturday night.”
Contact 516-238-3958
History, updated
Meridian Lofts, Islip
Jasmine Hernandez outside Meridian Lofts in Islip. Credit: Barry Sloan
Vibe Meridian Lofts, an imposing corner building in downtown Islip, has had many lives and even survived a few fires, but its latest incarnation as a 10-unit rental building may be its most ambitious. Its distinctive clay tile roof, exterior columns and pilasters give it an exceptionally regal disposition. Its last use was as a Masonic Temple. It also may have once been a post office, and before that a pickle factory.
Amenities Although the space is big on history, it’s short on amenities and skews more toward the tenant looking for a downtown loft-style space without the frills. The apartments feature exposed brick, and the developers left pictures of all the former Masonic presidents in the space. During the renovation, developers uncovered “the ghosts of former fireplaces,” which they used as design elements (though the space does include actual working fireplaces). Additional features include an elevator, gas stoves, stainless appliances and a washer/dryer in every unit. There is parking. Pets lighter than 15 pounds are permitted.
Jasmine Hernandez inside her apartment. Credit: Barry Sloan
Rent $2,000 a month for a furnished studio with all pots, pans and other items to $3,500 a month for an unfurnished duplex.
What it’s like For Jasmin Hernandez, 32, who works in inventory management at a beauty company, Meridian Lofts is a place to feel safe and at home while working toward homeownership. “Before moving here, I was living at home with my parents,” she says. Hernandez, who moved into her one-bedroom apartment in March, also says she likes the modern, urban feel of the apartments. Plus, the location is great. “There’s bars and restaurants and a yoga studio within walking distance, and there’s a farmers market on Saturdays by the Islip Town Hall, and a private beach down the road,” she says.
Contact 631-339-1492, https://greenviewny.com/apartments/meridian-lofts/
Hotel-style luxury
The Vanderbilt, Westbury
Andre Meyerowitz outside of The Vanderbilt apartment complex in Westbury, where he resides. Credit: Johnny Milano
Vibe Empty nesters and people looking to downsize will find that the 178-unit Vanderbilt feels more like a hotel than an apartment complex. The bar at in-house restaurant Kingfish opens to the lobby, and invites a lively, nightly crowd of residents, who use the space as a community gathering place to catch up and make friends.
Amenities The Vanderbilt features an on-site concierge to attend to renter’s needs, plus Kingfish, which can even deliver room service to apartments. The 3,000-square-foot gym has yoga and fitness studios and a pool, and for tenants with less athletic tendencies, there’s an on-site library with fireplace and a screening and entertainment room. On-site parking is included, and pets are permitted.
Rent $3,600 for a one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom unit to a little more than $8,000 for a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom unit.
What it’s like The Vanderbilt may be about luxury, but it’s the people that are the real draw, says Andre Meyerowitz, 54, who works as a wholesaler in the diamond business. “The camaraderie here is very nice,” he says. “People are very respectful of each other, and no one walks past each other without saying hi.” Meyerowitz, who has lived there since May, just renewed the lease on his one-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom apartment. He says he was first attracted to the space because of the amenities — in particular, the gym, pool and restaurant. “I had a gym in my old house, and there’s a better gym here,” he says. “And there are corporate meeting rooms here, too. I was able to close one of my offices and have meetings here.”
Contact 888-278-6994, https://beechwoodhomes.com/vanderbilt/
