The Inside Scoop: Pre-War vs. Post-War on Lower Fifth Avenue
If you’re looking for an apartment along Lower Fifth Avenue, one of the first things I’d suggest figuring out is whether you’re really a pre-war person or a post-war person.
That may sound a little simplistic, but it can save you a lot of time. The two types of buildings can feel surprisingly different once you’re inside the apartment—and what looks like a drawback on paper may turn out to be exactly what you prefer.
Post-War: Light, Views and Easy Living
2 Fifth Avenue and The Brevoort are good examples.
Post-war buildings were designed around a more modern idea of how people wanted to live. The windows are generally larger, the apartments often feel more open, and closets and bedrooms tend to be more generous.
Light is a big differentiator. If you want big windows, open views and lots of natural light, post-war can be hard to beat. And if practical matters matter to you—in-unit washer/dryer, through-wall AC and more modern building infrastructure—post-war buildings generally have an advantage.
The trade-off? You’re typically looking at 8- to 9-foot ceilings, rather than the soaring ceilings you find in many pre-war apartments. You also give up some of that old-New-York architectural detail.
Here’s the funny thing: I’ve had buyers tell me they have to have a pre-war apartment, only to walk into a post-war apartment at The Brevoort, see the light and views, and completely change their minds.
Pre-War: Character You Can't Recreate
Then there’s 1 Fifth Avenue and the other classic pre-war buildings.
This is where you get the things that people fall in love with in old New York apartments: higher ceilings, generous proportions, architectural details and a sense of history. There’s a certain feeling when you walk into a good pre-war apartment that is very difficult to reproduce in a newer building.
But there are trade-offs.
Original layouts can be more compartmentalized, rooms may be smaller and closet space can be surprisingly limited. Remember, these apartments were designed in an era when people didn't expect enormous walk-in closets—and often used armoires instead.
Infrastructure can also be a consideration. Depending on the building and apartment, you may be dealing with window AC rather than through-wall units, and older plumbing and electrical systems can make adding a washer/dryer more complicated.
In other words, pre-war apartments can give you more character and volume, but sometimes less convenience.
So Which One Is Right for You?
This is where I think buyers sometimes get too focused on a checklist.
If you love high ceilings, architectural detail and that classic Greenwich Village feeling, start with the pre-war buildings.
If light, views, closets and modern conveniences are higher on your list, don't overlook the post-war buildings.
And if you're somewhere in between, keep an open mind. Some of the best apartments I've seen are the ones that made a buyer rethink what they thought they wanted.
That's one of the reasons I like showing Lower Fifth Avenue. Within just a few blocks, you can compare two very different versions of New York apartment living—and figure out which one actually works for you.
