At present, there are just over 500 studio apartments available for sale in Manhattan.  We decided to take a quick perusal through the entire lot and come up with our top seven.  These are homes, or in some cases pieds-a terre, that warranted our attention in one way or another.  In each case there was something unique, whether it was the character, the value or even the low monthlies.  With each apartment there was a hook.

For a point of reference, the median asking price for a studio apartment in Manhattan in Mid-January is $500,000.  The median ask for an alcove studio is $585,000.  For co-operative ownership the median ask for a studio is $420,000 while the median ask for an alcove studio is $530,000.  So lets take the tour and see what we found.

1. The Eastgate Delivers on the Upper East Side

The Eastgate is a storied multi-building collection of Bing & Bing buildings on East 73rd Street.  Located between Second and Third Avenue, these red-brick pre-war classics were designed by the renowned architect Emory Roth and have retained their splendor since they first opened almost 100 years ago.

Apartment 5-F befits the building’s pedigree.  The two-room studio has been beautifully renovated and perfectly compliments the historic charm of the building’s bare bones.  The focal point of the residence is a wood burning fireplace with a detailed mantle.  The fireplace is flanked by elaborate floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinetry; one piece holds a Murphy Bed while the second piece serves as an armoire.  Beamed ceilings with egg and dart moldings cross the room.  Two corinthian columns frame the windows. 

The windowed kitchen has been elegantly refurbished.  This delightful space is replete with stone countertops and an integrated appliance package.  The bathroom is finished in Carerra marble.

210 East 73rd Street is an eleven story co-op with 81 apartments.  The building maintains a full-time doorman.  Amenities include a gym and a rear garden. Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  210 East 73rd Street, Apt 5-F |Price:  $499,000 | Agents:  Michael Biryla and Kyle Ramdeen, The Agency

2. Murray Hill Treasure at 10 Park Avenue

10 Park Avenue never fails to deliver.  A former hotel, this pre-war gem retains much of its art-deco grandeur from when it opened in 1930.  Each apartment is replete with original pre-war details, including high beamed ceilings, casement windows and hardwood floors.  

Apartment 6-G is a spacious alcove studio with a large entry foyer (could double as a dining area), a step-down living room and a closed off sleeping alcove.  The windowed kitchen has been renovated and features stainless steel appliances. The residence faces east across Park Avenue.    

10 Park Avenue is located on the northwest corner of Park Avenue and East 34th Street in Murray Hill, an easy walk to Midtown and Grand Central Station.  The co-op maintains a full-time concierge, rises 26 floors and contains 268 apartments.  There is a common roof deck with glorious city views.  Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  10 Park Avenue, 6-G | Price:  $565,000 | Agent:  Cheryl Greenberg, City Connections

3. Renovation Deluxe on East 72nd Street

This fabulous Upper East Side studio has been meticulously renovated and delivers a great value with unbelievable low monthlies – just $798/per..  

Apartment 2-H at 165 East 72nd Street is a two-room residence with a separate kitchen and an oversized formal foyer.

Elegance abounds in this finely crafted space.  The stage is set with the foyer  (6’9”x11’) which features grasscloth wallpaper and a wall of closets concealed with beautifully designed mirrored French doors.

Tall base moldings and crown enhance the space.  Additional features include plank hardwood floors, skimcoated walls and extensive built-in storage.

The kitchen is stylish by anyone’s standards.  Thick marble countertops, marble subway tiles, custom cabinets and a suite of high-end stainless steel appliances create a dream space.  A built-in home office area is perfect for some light work. 

The bathroom exudes an old New York flair.  Floor-to-ceiling marble subway tiles line the shower walls while the rest of the bathroom showcases a half wall accentuated by a thick marble base molding and a multidimensional marble cornice.  Fixtures are divinely Waterworks.

165 East 72nd Street is a postwar co-op that rises 21 floors and contains 180 apartments.  It is a full service building with an attended elevator, a garage and a gym.  Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  165 East 72nd Street, 2-H | Price:  $599,000 | Agent:  Louisa Gillen and Chris Palminteri, Simple Real Estate

4. Midtown Grandeur at the Parc Vendome

The Parc Vendome is one of the city’s most revered residential properties.  It’s an island in the middle of the storm, a reality check amongst the skyward towers that now line 57th Street, Billionaire’s Row.  Oddly enough, the Park Vendome was originally built as a rental building that would attract Broadway performers on moderate budgets.

Apartment 2-F at 340 West 57th Street is a spacious three-room studio with a large living area (22’9”x13’1”), dining foyer, home office and a separate windowed kitchen.  If need be, one could easily reconfigure the space into an honest one-bedroom residence.  

The apartment features large casement windows, oak strip floors, tall beamed ceilings and views out onto the building’s spectacular English-style gardens.   All of the apartment windows face the gardens, offering tranquility and quiet in the middle of the city.

340 West 57th Street enjoys condominium ownership and maintains a full-time concierge. The building has a host of amenities, including a lounge, roof deck, garage and internal gardens. Pieds-a terre are allowed.

Address:  340 West 57th Street, Apartment 2-F | Price:  $699,000 | Agent:  Suzanne D. Weinstein, Coldwell Banker Warburg

5. Full Service Townhouse Living at The Bayard House

The Bayard House on the Upper East Side is a curiosity.  And unless you live here or know of someone that does, you have no idea what is happening beyond the building’s entrance.  

The co-op is divided into two components, a Georgian-style pre-war red-brick building that sits at the northeast corner of 72nd Street and Third Avenue and a post-war highrise that adjoins to the rear.  Once inside, there is a shared courtyard and a glass covered walkway that leads you to the highrise.  There is a huge “wow” factor.

Apartment 2-G at 203 East 72nd Street resides in the older portion, offering townhouse living with a full plate of services.  

The residence has been smartly renovated in order to maximize the space.  There is a home office cutout as well as a hightop for in-kitchen eating.  There are even seven (yes, seven) closets so that you can maintain seasonal wardrobes without outside storage.   The windows face east and look out onto the garden.

The Bayard House is a full-service co-op which offers a bit of city wonderment. The tower rises 27 stories while the low-rise portion sits at four floors;  between the two buildings there are 149 apartments.  Amenities include a garage, roof deck and a gym. Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  203 East 72nd Street, 2-G | Price:  $425,000 | Agent:  Samantha Shuman, Compass

6. Outdoor Oasis on the Upper West Side

Park View Towers on West 103rd Street enjoys an idyllic location, between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive, just steps from the park.  

Apartment 3-B is an oversized Junior One with a spectacular private terrace (16’4”x26’3”) amidst the treetops.  There are few studios that offer such an oasis. Even with the proximity of Central Park and Riverside Park, you may never want to leave.

Measuring approximately 600 square feet, this refreshing studio offers a home in which to chill by oneself or to entertain.  It’s bright, spacious and peaceful.  Southern light streams across the deck into the residence, extending across the white bleached wide plank floors.   

Additional features include a delightful open kitchen with granite countertops and backsplash, a marble bath with a stall shower and a custom built walk-in-closet.

308 West 103rd Street is a post-war co-op located between West End Avenue and Riverside Drive.  The building rises 13 floors and contains 73 apartments.  There is a part-time doorman as well as a resident manager.  Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  308 West 103rd Street, 3-B | Price:  $549,000 | Agent:  Brian K. Lewis, Compass

7. Deluxe Renovations on the Upper West Side.

We love this pre-war studio.  It’s spacious with modern updates and pre-war charm.  The price is right too.  If not for the monthlies ($1,478/per), which we found a bit high, this might be the best of the January lot.

Apartment 10-B at 102 West 85th Street is a renovated studio that offers enough space in the main room to divide it into three areas to sleep, eat and relax.  

The first thing that strikes you is the symmetry of the casement windows at the far side of the room.  These double-pane windows frame the room as well as the cityscape beyond.  Tall beamed ceilings, an arched entryway and artfully designed crown moldings add further character.  The original oak floors with a ribbon inlay have been refinished as well. 

The separate windowed kitchen is a modern delight.  It features a suite of stainless steel appliances, custom shaker cabinets and silestone countertops.  The rear wall adds a bit of pizazz as old world styled black and white porcelain tiles playfully frame a set of casement windows.

A walk-in closet will amply satisfy your storage needs.

102 West 85th Street is a pre-war co-op located between Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue.  The art-deco building rises 12 floors and contains 84 apartments.  There is a part-time doorman and a resident manager.  Pieds-a-terre are allowed.

Address:  102 West 85th Street, 10-B | Price:  $475,000 | Agents:  Liam Krausz and Dana Sapir, Compass