20 East 17th Street · Flatiron · Condo · Built 1900 · 5 units · 8 stories
CondoBuilt 1900Pets allowed
58
MF Score
A boutique 5-unit conversion with spotless public records — but limited resale data makes pricing and future liquidity nearly impossible to predict.
5 units · Condo · built 1900
Pets allowedCity views
Scorecard
Prestige
45
Location
88
Investment
35
Value / sqft
72
Building quality
78
Livability
65
History
55
Transparency
25
The Honest Verdict
20 East 17th Street Condominium: This is the kind of building that either works perfectly for you or doesn't work at all — there's no middle ground. With only 5 residential units total, you're buying into what's essentially a small residential club rather than a typical Manhattan condo building.
The public records here are extraordinary: zero HPD violations, zero DOB violations, which in a 125-year-old building suggests either excellent maintenance or so little activity that problems haven't surfaced. The location is genuinely great — 7-minute walk to the Flatiron Building, 3 blocks from Union Square's transit hub.
The real issue is market transparency. The most recent sale in ACRIS shows $0, which means either a family transfer, a deed correction, or unreliable data. With 24 total transactions since 1982 across 5 units, you're looking at maybe one sale every other year. That's not a liquid market — it's a specialty situation where comparable pricing is nearly impossible to establish.
The building also has significant commercial space — 7,175 square feet across 3 commercial units — which could mean anything from quiet professional offices to active retail generating noise and foot traffic.
Pros and cons
Pros
+ Zero HPD and DOB violations — exceptional maintenance record
+ 3 blocks from Union Square's 8 subway lines
+ Full-floor loft-style layouts in residential units
+ Pet-friendly building allows cats and dogs
+ Priced about 1% below Flatiron neighborhood median
Cons
− Only 5 total units means extremely limited resale opportunities
− No doorman, concierge, or building amenities
− Significant commercial space could create noise/traffic issues
− Recent sales data unreliable — makes pricing speculative
− Limited building management information available
Approx. low end — varies by unit. Use the calculator below to add your mortgage.
~$2,000/mo
Common charges and tax figures shown are sourced from current active listings and vary by unit size and floor. Verify all figures with building management, the offering plan, and your attorney before closing. MeetFlatiron makes no representations as to the accuracy of financial figures shown.
Payment calculator
Purchase price$1,500,000
Down payment20%
Interest rate6.75%
Principal and interest—
Common charges (enter your unit's figure)$/mo
Property taxes (enter your unit's figure)$/mo
Total monthly—
For illustrative purposes only. Common charges and taxes vary by unit — verify exact figures with building management. Actual mortgage rates vary by lender. Consult your lender for accurate rates and terms.
Red flag —
The most recent ACRIS sale record shows $0 on June 6, 2019, which raises questions about data reliability and whether recent transactions are being properly recorded. With significant commercial space (7,175 sq ft, 3 commercial units) and no publicly available information about current commercial tenants, buyers should investigate what businesses operate in the building and their impact on residential quality of life.
What agents won't tell you
Board dynamics
As a condominium, 20 East 17th Street doesn't require board approval for purchases, making transactions more straightforward than comparable co-ops. However, with only 5 residential units, the condo board dynamics become much more personal — every vote matters significantly, and personality conflicts can't be easily avoided. The lack of public information about board meetings, assessments, or building management suggests either a very hands-off approach or limited transparency.
What it's actually like to live here
20 East 17th Street Condominium: Living here means accepting that you're in a boutique situation with all the benefits and risks that entails. The absence of a doorman, concierge, or live-in superintendent means you'll likely deal directly with other owners for building issues — which works well if everyone gets along and poorly if they don't. The mixed-use nature with 3 commercial units could be anything from quiet professional offices to active ground-floor retail. 17th Street itself is legitimately quieter than the major cross-streets, but Union Square's weekend energy is close enough to matter.
Services and amenities
Elevator
Hardwood floors
Central air
Washer/dryer in unit
Dishwasher
Pets allowed
No Gym
No Pool
No Roof deck
No Parking
Pet policy: Cats and dogs allowed — verify specific weight/breed restrictions with management
Amenity information sourced from building listings and public records. Amenities are subject to change — verify current offerings with building management before closing.
Transit
Union Square-14th St
NQRW456L
~3 blocks
23rd St (Broadway)
NQRW
~4 blocks
23rd St (Park Ave South)
6
~5 blocks
23rd St (Broadway)
RW
~4 blocks
Walk Score 98Transit Score 100Bike Score 88Source: Walk Score
Commute times from this building
Destination
🚶 Walk
🚇 Subway
Lines
The Flatiron Building (175 Fifth Ave)
7 min
N/A
Walk only
Midtown (47th & Park Ave)
38 min
11 min
4 Line
Hudson Yards (30th & 10th Ave)
34 min
24 min
R Line/7
World Trade Center (Fulton St)
51 min
12 min
R Line
Times Square (42nd & Broadway)
32 min
10 min
N Line
Grand Central (42nd & Park Ave)
31 min
10 min
4 Line
Door-to-door estimates via Google Maps transit directions. Times reflect typical weekday conditions.Source: Google Maps
Nearby schools
4
PS 40 Augustus St. Gaudens
Public · Grades K–5
0.4mi
8
IS 104 Simon Baruch
Public · Grades 6–8
0.6mi
9
NYC Lab School
Public · Grades 6–12
0.9mi
Nearby colleges: Parsons/The New School (0.3mi), Baruch College (0.5mi), FIT (0.4mi), SVA (0.6mi)
School ratings sourced from GreatSchools and are subject to change. School zone boundaries are not guaranteed — verify current zoning directly with NYC DOE at myschools.nyc before purchasing.
Noise Level
Loud
Overall noise level
75/100 noise score
Primary source: 17th Street is a quieter crosstown street, though Union Square proximity brings some weekend nightlife noise
17th Street between Fifth Avenue and Broadway is well-lit and safe — part of the 13th Precinct patrol area. Union Square proximity means more foot traffic and activity, especially weekends, but this generally adds to safety rather than detracting.
🚗
Parking
Monthly parking at Icon on 18th Street runs about $400–$475. Street parking on 17th Street has alternate side Tuesday/Friday — competitive but manageable if you're flexible with timing.
📦
Storage
The building doesn't appear to have storage facilities. Manhattan Mini Storage on West 15th Street is the closest full-service option, about 6 blocks west.
🛒
Grocery and daily errands
Morton Williams on 17th and Park Avenue South is your closest everyday option — 2 blocks east. Whole Foods and Trader Joe's at Union Square are both 3 blocks south for better selection and pricing.
🔊
Noise and street life
17th Street is genuinely quieter than the major cross-streets — you're between the Union Square buzz and the Madison Square Park tourist activity. Units facing east toward Park Avenue catch less traffic than west-facing units toward Broadway.
🚇
Getting around
Union Square is your transit goldmine — 3 blocks south puts you on 8 different subway lines. The 4/5/6 express trains make Midtown East incredibly convenient. For Midtown West, the N/Q/R/W Broadway lines are your best bet.
Investment prospects are difficult to assess due to extremely limited transaction history and questionable sales data. The most recent ACRIS transaction shows $0, making recent appreciation impossible to calculate. With only 5 residential units and roughly one sale every other year historically, liquidity will be a significant challenge. The building's position about 1% below neighborhood median suggests potential value, but without reliable comparable sales, pricing becomes largely speculative.
Past appreciation is not a guarantee of future performance. Real estate values fluctuate. All investment decisions should be made with independent financial and legal advice.
Sale price history
2019
$0.00M avg
1 sales
Source: NYC ACRIS · Past sales are not indicative of future value.
Building history timeline
1900
Original Construction
8-story commercial building constructed on a 25-foot-wide lot between Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Original architect and developer not confirmed in available records.
1982
First Recorded Residential Transaction
ACRIS records show the earliest residential transaction on October 18, 1982, suggesting the building may have had residential use earlier than the documented 2000 conversion.
2000
Condominium Conversion
Building officially converted to condominiums, creating 5 residential units and maintaining 3 commercial spaces. Conversion created mix of full-floor residential lofts.
2019
Most Recent Transaction
Unit U7 recorded a transaction on June 6, 2019, though ACRIS shows $0 sale price, suggesting either a family transfer or data recording issue.
2026
Current Status
Building maintains clean public records with zero HPD and DOB violations. No active listings available, reflecting the limited inventory typical of boutique buildings.
Frequently asked questions
How many units are in 20 East 17th Street?
The building has 5 residential condominium units and 3 commercial units. This makes it a boutique building where sales are infrequent and each unit represents a significant portion of the building ownership.
Does 20 East 17th Street allow pets?
Yes, both cats and dogs are allowed. However, specific weight limits or breed restrictions should be verified with building management, as policies can vary even in pet-friendly buildings.
What subway lines serve 20 East 17th Street?
The building is exceptionally well-served by transit, located about 3 blocks from Union Square which provides access to the N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6, and L trains. This makes it one of the best-connected locations in Manhattan for subway access.
Are there any building amenities at 20 East 17th Street?
The building has minimal amenities — video intercom system and elevator access, but no doorman, concierge, gym, or other luxury building services. This reflects its boutique nature and keeps common charges lower.
What is the building's violation history?
20 East 17th Street has zero open HPD violations and zero DOB violations as of April 2026, which is exceptional for a 125-year-old building and suggests excellent maintenance and management practices.
Explore the neighborhood
Everything you need to know about living in Flatiron — restaurants, history, things to do, and the honest local guide.
