Carnegie Mews

Current Resident 900515

Resident • 2002 - 2005

Rat Infestation

I have friends in two apartments in this building and both say there are rats in the apartments due to the Hooter's reatuarant on the first floor. Needless to say, I'm not visiting anymore as management claims to fix the problem evry month or so and the rats keep coming back.

Current Resident 766223

Resident • 2003 - 2005

Extreme Rent Increase

I've been living here for 2 years, and they raised the rent $500 this year! Make sure you can afford a huge rate increase before you move in so that you don't have to move again in a year. Plus, we still have problems with one of the elevators being out of service.

Current Resident 747189

Resident • 2004 - 2005

good place, a little expensive

The doormen are nice, the management is ok, we enjoy living here, and it is a great location. It is a bit expensive now, though; it isn't a full service building and the other buildings in the neighborhood are, and some of their rents are the same or not too much more, however this year the rent in this building is being raised by 25%!!! When we moved in they said they were fixing up the building, it never happened (it's been over a year and still no wallpaper in the hallways- just marks from the old stuff they took down before we moved in!!)

CMewsRenter

Resident • 2004 - 2005

A Comprehensive Review - A Great Place to Rent

I have lived on a high floor in a converted one bedroom for 1.25 years. <br><br>Location<br>You can't find a more centralized yet residential location to live in than 56th & Broadway. There are over four grocery stores including Whole Foods within a 3 block radius. Time Warner Center is also an important landmark in the area, with Whole Foods, Borders, etc. This area is also a Subway hub, with the NRQW, F, 1, A, C train stations all within 2 blocks of this building. Central Park is 3 blocks away and a great place to exercise or sunbathe. <br><br>Apartment<br>Good views from the high floors. Rooms facing north get an amazing view of Central Park and the River.<br>A room is delivered in good condition to a new tenant. Nothing is really going to impress you overly much, but you won't be disappointed either. Appliances work, the walls and floors are fine. You can put up a wall to convert the living room into a bedroom. The HVAC units are individually controlled in the living room and bedroom. <br><br>Elevators<br>People seem to have a problem with the elevators based on previous reviews. I have never had a problem with the elevators. Usually I wait less than a minute. During rush hours, I wait at most 2-3 minutes. Management recently installed TVs in the elevators, which are great. <br><br>Vermin, pests, etc. & Cleanliness<br>I have never seen any cockroaches, rats or pests. The building is kept very clean in the lobby. Hallways may not sparkle, but at least they're not dirty. The trash room on my floor is always cleared by the next day. <br><br>Laundry Room<br>It is very big, about 10 washers and 10 dryers, card-operated. The machines are kept operable. I've seen a "Out of Order" sign just once during my stay here. I have never had to wait for a machine. The floor is kept clean. There is even a bathroom in the laundry room. I've never used it, but it seems decently clean.<br><br>Noise<br>I'm on a high floor, but I hear the garbage truck beeping once in a while, and the porter at the Manhattan Club across the street sometimes whistles for a cab. Other than that, you can barely hear anything, partly because you get so used to the usual street noise, you don't even register it. And let's face it, if you are going to live in a building surrounded by subway hubs, stores, office buildings and a fair amount of foot traffic, you have to expect some noise. If you don't hear any noise, that means you are in a crappy area with no people. You can't have one without the other. As for noise between walls, it depends. I have either quiet neighbors or thick walls, because I never hear anybody. <br><br>Security<br>The doormen recognize the tenants, and have actually stopped my friend who tried to sneak past. Tenants in the building also commonly permit the supers to make repairs in their apartment unsupervised, although I have never done that. As for security outside the building, it is a moderately bustling area, so I've never felt unsafe walking back even at 2:00am or commuting to work at 6:30am.<br><br>People<br>The doormen are excellent, and the supers couldn't be nicer. I had a toilet emergency once at 8am, and the super came in 10 minutes, fixed the toilet and even mopped the floor for me. <br>The people in the building are pretty nice, but keep to themselves. <br><br>Amenities<br>I've never been up to the roof, so no comment. There is no gym, but there is a discount program for the "Gravity" gym in Le Parker Meridien Hotel about a block away. There is a good and inexpensive in-house dry cleaners.<br><br>Summary<br>The only cons to this building is that it may not be the luxury rental building that people seem to demand nowadays. It doesn't have a gym or amenities like newer buildings. However, it is situated in a prime location, and the prices are very reasonable. Expect rental prices to increase due to the market and rising cost of maintenance/utilities not just in this building, but everywhere in Manhattan. I recommend this building for young couples and professionals who work and want a reasonably priced rental apartment that serves all their needs. Some people may disagree, but I think that location is more important than a building's amenities or finishes, as long as the building is not in crappy condition. This building's amenities are Central Park, Time Warner Center and subways, all at a reasonable price.<br>My experience here has all been very positive. No doubt other people's reviews are also valid, but keep in mind that each person's reviews are based on their individual apartment. Just because one person's AC unit has ice doesn't mean this isn't a great place to live. And just because all my appliances work doesn't mean you will have no problems in your apartment whatsoever. But that's the same in any building, and at least I know from my experience that the supers are very responsive.<br>

Current Resident 953465

Resident • 2005

Don't live here

I've lived in this building for 3 years and been an excellent tenant but that doesn't matter to these people. He raised our rent almost 20% this year. We spoke to the owner about it and he wouldn't negotiate with us at all. He's also very cheap - the hallways on some floors are very run down. We were promised a new kitchen, but it never happened. The doormen/staff in the building are SUPER nice though. That's the only good thing about this place. This is NOT a luxury building - there is no gym. The windows are horrible - you can hear everything on the street for 11 stories up! DON'T LIVE HERE!!!

Current Resident 724468

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Good Apt for Price

I've lived in Carnegie Mews since August 2004 and I haven't found any complaints. I have a one bedroom which I converted to share with a roommate and both of us have a lot of space. The apartment is clean and the kitchen is newly renovated. If you face the west and are on a high enough floor, you have a fantastic view of the river. I definitely wouldn't pay more for the Central Park view. I've looked everywhere for the same type of apartment and you definitely can't beat the space, cleaniness and the price. The great thing about the apartment is that it's perfect for sharing. After the temporary wall is put up the two bedrooms are almost the same size. Also there are plenty of closet space for the unlucky person without closets in his/her room. I heard that this is only true for some of the apartments and that others have a different layout. The building is somehow larger after the 20th floor so apts from floors 36-21 are larger. <br><br>As for other complaints, yes the hallways aren't pretty and can be hot but how much time do you spend in a hallway? I've never had a problem with the elavators and I live on a high floor. The TVs in the elavators and the lobby are very nice for quickie news and weather updates at night and in the morning. The doormen are all extremely nice and helpful. They're not your servant, you can't expect them to be the keeper of your junk. Everytime I fill out a work request it gets done right away. I've never had a problem with the laundry room. To address the rent increase, I was paying $2395 for 8/2004 to 8/2005 and this year they raised the rent to $2500. That's pretty much the norm for all other doorman/"luxury" apartments. <br><br>My only complaints are the noise and the lack of seating on the roof. If you face Broadway the noise from the garbage trucks late at night and early morning can be disruptive. The windows are pretty cheap and doesn't block out much street noise even being more than 25 floors up. The roof is one of the best features of the apartment but they don't put any tables and chairs up there. It looks almost like a construction site. Maybe it's a way to curb too many people going up there to drink and party.

Current Resident 572415

Resident • 2004 - 2005

Great Apartment for the location and price

Carnegie Mews is a great apartment building for the price and location. Its nothing special, laundry facilities are decent, doorman are nice and helpful. Roof view is great. The apartments are nice, clean, and comfortable. Heating and A/C is adequate. Price for the location is unbeatable. <br><br>Negatives: Elevators can be slow, the exterior, hallways, are nothing to write home about. Bathrooms could use upgrading. <br><br>Bottomline, if the so-called luxuries of one of the newer and fancier apartment buildings is not important to you, then this is a great building at a fair price.

Current Resident 418438

Resident • 2003 - 2005

I feel like I rent from a "slum lord" . Do not move in or you will get used to the location and let some of the issues slide.

they continue to raise the rent but never fix anything. if they "fix" something it is done cheaply and you still have the same problems. Elevators are still always breaking down and take for ever. Laundry room has new machines but they do not have hot water, nor do the machines fill up all the way & the dryers do not always work. Hallways are like an oven and they are patched with plaster all over for a year now and we keep being told they are putting new wall paper up. The window when it is cold have actual ic eon the inside. You can carve things in to the ice - it is that thick. Then when it melts it runs down the wall and on to your belongings. And walls are so thin you can hear your neighbors. And you can hear everything from outside even above the 30th floor.

Current Resident 67859

Resident • 2001 - 2004

Not worth it

They've finished renovating the elevators, and now they're raising the price. They've been working on the facade on the building for years. It still isn't complete. No ventilation in the hallways.

Current Resident 608253

Resident • 2003 - 2004

decent deal

I've lived in this building for two years now. A year ago I never would have recommended anyone in their right mind moving into this building. However, since then major improvements have been made. All of the elevators have been updated so disregard any of the reviews you see about the long waits. The elevators also now descend to the basement/laundry room which is key so you don't have to lug your laundry down and back up a flight of steps. The doormen are all very friendly and helpful. Being close to the subways and Central Park is great. My only gripe is sometimes the street noise. Windows are thin/not well insulated so you can hear horns and construction going on sometimes at night (dump truck just outside of our bldg for the demolition work being done in the office bldg next door).

Current Resident 959392

Resident • 2002 - 2004

Tenement for Rent

I'll keep it short. Lived here two years now.<br><br>1. Elevators suck. 10 minute wait in each direction (combine with no AC in hallways and you have lovely strats to each morning).<br>2. Almost all of the doormen are lazy scum (except nice foreign night guy). My favorite is saying hi when I get home, asking for packages and them saying none, only to get an intercom call 2 minutes later saying they have one. This happens monthly and combined with the elevators, sucks.<br>3. Construction a joke. All buildings need maintenance, but when a building cheaps out on overtime, you end up with a 2-3 year project that should have lasted 6 months. In a nutshell, they drill the facade of the building and your apt. literally shakes from 8:30AM to 4:30PM daily. A truly wonderful experience on days off or when sick.<br>4. Oh, and a worker fell off the roof last week and died at the front door. I can't wait to hear the details, but the Super is already telling people it was a suicide and not an accident. I wonder why he would say that?

Current Resident 703427

Resident • 2004

Amazing Deal!

My roommate and I moved onto one of the higher floors in early 2004. We can't believe how huge our apt is, especially for only paying less that $2,000 a month (we converted a 1 bedroom to 2 bedrooms). The bathroom and kitchen are pretty new looking, and we love having a dishwasher, microwave and flat stove top. The front desk and maintenance people couldn't be nicer or more helpful. Noise really isn't a problem for us...maybe b/c we face 56th St and not B'way. We never hear any noise from our neighbors. I agree that the halls could use some updating. The elevator is definitely very slow, but I would only mind if I were paying a fortune. It's very noisy when the heater turns on in the morning. Everyone in the building seems to be a young professional. Overall, I'm pretty surprised that the building got such bad reviews. I used to live in the East Village, in a total dump, and I paid a broker's fee and far more $ in rent. I think the building is beautiful, pretty spacious and a great deal, especially for the location. In fact, no one can believe the deal we're getting on the rent, especially since it's an elevator/doorman building. Plus, we have the Park and the new AOL building.

Current Resident 681758

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Good Deal

I've lived here for almost 2 years. It really is a good deal. I've looked into other 24 hour doorman buildings in the area, and they are definitely more expensive. Plus, some of the apartments on the higher floors have fabulous views of Central Park or of Times Square. You can't hear the neighbors. If you're on a lower floor, you do hear street noise. The laundry room needs repair, they're working on the elevators and on the facade, but it really is worth it for this deal.

Lilia

Resident • 1997

It´s a good deal.

I lived here in Fall 1997, and for me, it was the absolute BEST deal for this location. I mean, you can look out the window and you see Times Square! You can´t beat that. <br>It wasn´t luxury at all, but the front desk is very nice. <br>One thing I remember though is the noise garbage truck in the morning, that was terrible. <br>Overall, it was clean and comfortable.

hinhello

Resident • 2004

Some comments unfair, others right on! ONE BIG COMPLAINT!

I have one huge complaint that I will write at the bottom of this message. <br> <br>My wife and I have lived here since June of 2003. I think that the comments about the place being filthy and service being crappy is unfair. Once you move in, you never have to deal with the rental office. The front desk couldn´t be nicer. The elevators were a big problem, but since I live on a lower floor, it did not affect me too much. The roof deck could be amazing but it sucks. They make it look like they are working on it, but is in the same condition as when I moved in. <br> <br>The hallways, laundry room are more than fine. The size and amenities of the apartments are outstanding for NYC standards. <br> <br>Noise has been a factor, but I have gotten used to it. Although, if you plan on being around during the day, the refacing noise is unbearable <br> <br>OK, here is my huge complaint. About a month after we moved in, we saw a few gigantic cockroaches running around. I mean they must have been over 2 inches long. We called the exterminator. He said they may have flew in through the window or crawled in from the drain. From that day forward, windows never opened and drain was always shut immediately after the shower. It was OK for a while, then we would see a random one here and there. After about 3-4 months, I saw one yesterday. With the nice weather, we had the windows open last weekend. Maybe it´s a coincidence, maybe not! This probably wouldn´t be a problem on the upper floors. As soon as I finish this message, I am going upstairs to ask for an apartment on the upper floors. If they give me a hard time, I am moving out. I refuse to be a prisoner of 2 inch cockroaches

Current Resident 457132

Resident • 2003 - 2004

Best bargain in the area. Definitely not deluxe.

My wife and I have been living in the Carnegie Mews for a little over a year and I have to say that while it is definitely far from perfect it is one of the best bargains going in the area. Yes, the old elevators are painfully slow but they are being replaced and the new ones are really fast so I have no complaints. We are in one of the upper "J" line one bedroom units and they are massive for NYC (approx 800sf...bigger than a lot of 2 bedrooms in the city). The super will put in a wall for you if you want to divide the living room to create a second bedroom. Our kitchen is brand new but the bathroom is a little dated. There is a ton of closet space. We have a fantastic view to the river and down on Columbus Cirle. From the roof you can see all of Central Park as well as Times Square. You can´t beat the location with the A,C,E,B,D,1,9,N,R,Q,W,F all within a 1 block radius. My favorite thing is being a block from Central Park. I do have to agree with other users that the sound level is very high in the apartment. The AC/HEATER units are ancient but they work fine. The problem is that city noise flows right through them as well as the single pane windows. The building is on Broadway so there is always street noise. You will also see that the building does zero work in the hallways. The walls and carpet are filthy beyond repair. Everything in the public spaces looks pretty half-assed. They put over a million dollars replacing the elevators yet left the same crappy interiors and $5 worn out carpets in them. Of course I really couldn´t care less about this since that is what keeps the rental rates so low. The important thing is that the apartments are clean and we have never seen any cockroaches or rats. Another bonus to this place is that there are no fees to rent (No realtor fee...just walk up to the front desk and ask for the rental office...go in person since they never return your phone calls). They even cover the credit check and application fee. As for the laundry room, it is old but it is fairly cheap...$1.75 to wash and $1.75 to dry...and it will dry your stuff in one cycle. So I guess what I am saying is that I would definitely recommend this place if you want to save some money. Yes, you are not getting a deluxe brand new building but for me that is not worth the extra money. Especially considering that those types of places will raise your rent every year, be a lot smaller, and not have views and light. The staff is really nice and so are the people who live here. Other apartments in the area go for about $400-$600 more including crappy walk-ups. A 650 s.f. one bed (including some with park views) goes for $1750 and the 800sf upper floor units go for $2100. Get them to throw in a free month for you.

Current Resident 182348

Resident • 2004

stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This place is an overpriced tenement. Graffiti on staircases. Worthless ofice help. Owner owns the building outright, so what does he care?

Current Resident 150387

Resident • 2002 - 2004

good location managment the worst

Lived here for about 2 years now, still am, the place is good because the location is perfect you have accesss to everything. Elevators are the worst I have seen in the world, they are fixing them now, so floors 21st to 36th are using ONE elevator and its the SERVICE elevator, so to get in you have to always get behind the door man and go to the service entrance.. IT SUCKS! <br>I have to say though that the elevator is a lot faster and if the new ones are going to be like that then its cool. <br>management is really rude and they are not helpful at all.. even when you are trying to renew your lease!?!? amazing. I got a pretty good deal out of the elevators problem but still.. the apartment is VERY noisy during the day, so if you work from home.. better get your self a good pair of noise isolation head sets ;) <br>kitchen is small for the price, some apts have renovated some not. Closet space is enough but not very well distributed. Some of the appliances (heater/Ac) Seem to be from the the 70´s they probably are! so they break all the time.. winter is not a good experience. <br>Personally I stayed because of the good deal, but I won´t renovate the new lease.. getting out of here next chance I get. <br>Service staff, door men, etc.. are really nice. LAUNDRY THE WORST I have had to fight with the laundry company at least 12 times to get my money back because those damm machines eat up my coins!!! <br>Good luck

Current Resident 931434

Resident • 1998 - 2004

Nothing is worth it

You may get a good deal on rent, but nothing is worth the pain of living in this building. Elevators are in repair and have been for 2 years. Some elevators suddenly drop 2 floors spontaneously. <br>Management is a bunch of crooks who have absolutely no regard for the tenants. <br> <br>Noise is unbearable and the windows suck. <br> <br>There is no reason at all, even location, to move into this building. Save yourself and your friends the headache and stay away!!

Current Resident 99673

Resident • 2003

Management Sucks

The management sucks. The people in the office are rude. i mailed in my rent on the 1st ( They wouldn´t accept cheques directly inthe office) and they didn´t get it till the 4th, and they called me up to threaten me. The doorman and the super are nice, and alway ready to help you out, but the ugly scaffolding has been there forever. Don´t know when they plan to ge rid of it. The apartment was extremelt noisy, and it wasn´t properly sound proofed. I could hear my neighbor playing his crappy music all teh time. The kitchen is too tiny, though they have new applicances. The closet apce is sufficiant, but poorly designed. <br> <br>I seriously hope they improve those windows, and stop drilling all the time. It sucks

Current Resident 2240

Resident • 2002 - 2003

good deal

if you have an elevator issue, live on floor 1-20, different set of elevators. Door man doesnt accept drycleaning because there is an in-house dry cleaner, but you can have delivery to your apt. Doormen are extermely friendly. Bedrooms in apt are some of largest in the city - particularly in the J´s. Maintenance and cleaning staff are incredible - any problems are immediately taken care of. Great security, location.

Current Resident 985903

Resident • 2001 - 2003

10% discount is a joke!!!!!! Move elsewhere!!!

The buildings´ problems are well documented. The elevators are horrible and when they start taking them down for replacement, expect up to 5 months of only one elevator servicing your floor. Also, the facade work (otherwise known as the loud --- drilling that starts daily at 8:30AM) will go one for at least another year. They tell you that the workers move around the building, but you will be disturbed wherever they are. With all this, plus the worst laundry facilities in the city (think Silence of Lambs basement) you would think that they would help out the renters who choose to stay. Nope. 10% discount on rents from last year. What a joke. They save more than that on broker´s fees since you already live there. You can go to a real luxury building and get up to 3 months free for a similar rent and not deal with these problems. See you all there.

jamesvaughn

Resident • 2002 - 2003

good deal

This building provides a good combination of location (subways, Central Park, conveniences, restaurants, entertainment), space, and price. My apartment is large, has excellent views (being on the highest floor), and is 2320, which I think is expensive but reasonable. <br> <br>I am more easygoing it seems--by this site and by living here--than many of the people in this building so I think 1) the roofdeck is an excellent place to get a tan (I bought a lawn chair) or read a book, 2) the 24-hour laundry room works fine in an emergency (I send my laundry out), 3) the elevators have surprisingly never given me trouble although you have to wait too long during come-and-go to work hours. <br> <br>Problems: I didn´t have to pay taking over my friend´s lease but I´ve heard about the brokerage scam and that the guys running leasing are incompetent, rude, and lazy--obviously costing the owner revenues! The contractors hired to fix major items seem to be very slow--projects such as upgrading the elevators and refinishing the roofdeck are stagnant although the owner himself has told me they really do have plans. The corridors of the building can definitely use an update, unpleasantly retro--quick and simply would easily boost the overall appearance and hence value. The scaffolding in front of the building is an eyesore and has been for far too long. And I wish Hooters next door would be replaced by something of better quality. <br> <br>Pluses: Almost all new apartments are completely refinished--floors, kitchens, bathrooms, etc. The doormen and maintenance people are nice. I love the neighborhood and am pleased with my apartment.

Current Resident 447557

Resident • 2002 - 2003

Elevator Nightmares

I have lived in the building for over a year. The elevators are incredibly slow and break down constantly and are actually dangerous. If there are more than 4 people in the elevator, when it stops on a floor, you have to step up out of the elevator because the people weigh it down. They say they´re fixing them this year - we´ll see, they said that a uear ago when we moved in. The only reason we renewed our lease is because they gave us a huge rent reduction. You really can´t find a 1 bedroom in a ´luxury?´ building for that price. They advertise roof deck - it´s not even paved - nothing up there but stones on the ground and a few old wooden skids. <br>It´s quiet in that you can´t hear the neighbors, but you get noise from the street. The only way I´d say it´s worth it to move in is if you get a good deal on the rent, otherwise, go somewhere else.

Current Resident 374614

Resident • 1997 - 2003

Overpriced and management is slime

They wouldn´t negotiate my lease last year when rates were falling, and continued to charge me 2450 a month. This year, they wanted me to renew at 1790 - which only shows how predatory they are. When I first moved in the owner called me to tell me the aprtment I was shown would not be mine, when I claimed that was false advertising, he told me to go f*** myself and hung up on me. If I didn´t work so close, I would have moved a long time ago. I am so happy to be out of that place