Condos - Coop - Size - Efficiency - Studio - Alcove Studio - Junior One Bedroom - One Bedroom -Junior 4 - Convertible 2 Bedroom -2 Bedroom - Convertible 3 Bedroom -Classic 6 - Loft - Duplex - Triplex - Railroad Apartment - Balcony - Terrace
Types of Apartments
There are many terms used to describe the various types and sizes of apartments available in Manhattan. The following is a glossary of terms currently used in the Manhattan marketplace that should help take some of the mystery out of your apartment search.
Condos:
This is an apartment in a condominium building. It can be any size or shape. While most condominiums are post-war there are a number of pre-war buildings as well. As a result, you can not necessarily look at a building or apartment and know by looking at it whether it is a condominium or coop. The main difference between a coop and a condominium has to do with the house rules and the building financials. For more on this subject please refer to the home page links on this subject.
Coop:
This is an apartment in a cooperative building. It can be any size or shape. The vast majority or all apartment buildings in Manhattan are coops and most of them are pre-war buildings. Once again, the main difference between a coop and a condominium has to do with the house rules and the building financials. For more on this subject please refer to the home page links on this subject.
Size:
Realtors often abbreviate the number of rooms/bedrooms/bathrooms in this manner: 3/1/1, which means 3 rooms, 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. Studios would be 2/0/1 or 2 rooms, 0 bedrooms and 1 bath. Occasionally you may see 3/1/1.5. This means 3 rooms, 1 bedroom and 1.5 baths. The half bath is a bathroom without a tub or shower. When counting the number of rooms in an apartment (the first number) only use bedrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, maids room or library. These all count as rooms. Bathrooms do not count here. Also, dining areas that aren´t enclosed by walls count as a half room.
Efficiency:
A one-room apartment with separate bath and sometimes, but not always, a separate kitchen.
Studio:
A two-room apartment. The living room and bedroom are combined as one room. There is also a separate bath and kitchen.
Alcove Studio:
An "L" shaped two and a half-room apartment. The living room and bedroom are combined as one room and there is a space off to the side that can be used for a bed, dining area or dressing area.
Junior One-Bedroom:
A junior one-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio or small loft, large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom. In other words, it´s bigger than a studio but smaller than a one bedroom.
One-Bedroom:
Very simply, this an apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bath. These apartments vary dramatically in size. Some bedrooms can fit only a twin-size bed or cot; others can accommodate a king-size bed and offer a sitting area.
Junior 4:
A junior 4 is a large one-bedroom that usually has 1 1/2 baths and a separate dining area, large foyer, or living room big enough to section off. In other words it´s larger than a traditional one bedroom apartment but it´s smaller than a two bedroom apartment. It´s almost four rooms.
Convertible 2-Bedroom:
This is really a one-bedroom apartment large enough and laid out in such a way that a wall could be put up to create a second bedroom.
2 Bedrooms:
A 2 Bedroom apartment has two bedrooms plus a living room, a dining area or dining room (usually it has a dining room) and a separate kitchen. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby's room or small office to a sprawling master bedroom suite. Each bedroom is likely going to have adjoining closets.
Convertible 3-Bedroom:
A convertible 3-bedroom is a 2-bedroom large enough and laid out in such a way that it can be converted into 3 bedrooms.
3-Bedrooms:
As its name implies, this apartment offers three separate bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room. The size of the bedrooms can vary widely and it usually will have a separate dining room.
Classic 6:
A "classic 6" is a 3-bedroom apartment--usually found in turn-of-the-century luxury buildings--that was originally designed with two bedrooms, a maid's room, full dining room, living room, and kitchen.
Loft:
A big, open space that usually results from a commercial building having been converted into residential units. Lofts generally have very high ceilings and extra-large windows. They're mostly found in commercial neighborhoods such as SOHO and Tribeca.
Duplex:
This is an apartment with two levels. It could be a legitimate bi-level apartment with an enclosed upstairs and downstairs, or it could be an open space with an extra-high ceiling and a loft or mezzanine.
Triplex:
Same as above, but three levels.
Railroad Apartment:
One room leads into another, There are no separate hallways.
Balcony:
This is a small, usually railed outdoor space that extends from the living room or bedroom and it is designed to hold one or more people.
Terrace:
This is an outdoor space that, while varying greatly in size, is always larger than a balcony. It can be small enough to accommodate one or two persons standing or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs, and plants. It usually has a roof provided from the balcony/terrace of the apartment above.
