A Community Built Around Common Vision Of Home

The spirit of community enhancement is only found in small buildings where anyone can raise an issue or campaign for changes. At 659, It also helps that unit owners are on a similar page in terms of home desires. Nearly identical units pool the likeminded.

Here’s a hand count of the best bonuses of living here:

Keyless entry. Enter with a code that is changed annually for safety. With keyless entry to the apartment as well, keys become a thing of the past.

Package/mail delivery is near flawless. No need for notes or interaction, or ever wishing you had a doorman. Out-going mail can be dropped off right in a slot in the entry way. See package table below.

An elevator in a small building is the best. It drops you nearly at your door, and it’s often waiting there for you. I sometimes hop out and tap the button while we’re still getting ready. It would never have occurred to me to do that when I lived in a 28 story building. And the elevator takes you directly to the roof. I can’t stress enough how much classier that is, then taking you to a hall and a staircase that leads to the roof.

Common outdoor space gets less use in buildings where it’s harder to get to. With 15 footsteps between your door, and the outside it feels like your space. With no stairs needed, you can push a cart from your door full of bbq supplies and drinks to the rooftop with ease. You can borrow a garbage bin from the garage and wheel it to the roof in just a minute. Your guests can access your bathroom without memorizing hallways to get there. You’ll go up there for a variety of activities. It’s your party space, it’s your private space, it’s your romantic dinner space. And it’s yours to mold.

Aside from easy access, another thing that makes some roofs better than others is the people who use it. At 659 we have an unbroken tradition of mutual respect among the residents. Because of this, rules governing common areas are refreshingly loose. If you’re considerate, and responsible the skyline is your oyster at any time. That is not the case in many other buildings.

And definitely bring friends for the 4th! Fireworks go off from every corner of the building.

Identical Units. In this building, everyone is equal. It’s also why everyone tends to be in the same window of life. If you have an idea for improvement, chances are others have similar interests. You can bring it up or chatter about something random on the building wide Slack channel. There is definitely a community feel. Residents take it upon themselves to look after packages, bring in roof cushions before a storm, research ideas for building Improvement. And once in a blue moon, have a building wide mixer.

Garbage. Dealing with trash is annoying in some buildings. Walking it down staircases, or out onto the street on a cold night is disincentivizing enough to just hold on to it. And make no mistake, there are loads of million dollar luxury condos where the owners have to walk outside to dump the trash or check the mail. We have it easy here.

Storage Closet A personal storage closet downstairs is spacious and super useful

Small condo board. It’s easy to approach a board member with an idea, or elect yourself onto it (board members are generally ready to move on after a year). As a board member you can advocate for new gym equipment or new rules on short term renting. The overall philosophy of the building is always shifting, and thats a good thing.

The Garage is not just for car owners. Aside from the smoothest bike parking you’ll ever have, you have an all access loading zone. Moving big items in and out with a moving truck is no problem. This is a bigger bonus than I ever imagined.

Bike Parking is a typical condo amenity, but you’ll never have it as good as you have it here. Maneuvering your bike into and out of a basement, unsticking it from a tangle of handlebars is that extra step that convinces you not to go for a ride. What we have is a dream. Click the garage door opener in your pocket as you approach, and just glide in, park, and elevator up. If you’ve been thinking about a bulky electric bike (or even a Vespa), this is the ideal place to store it, as there’s no lifting or maneuvering needed to retrieve. This also makes the building’s garage as relevant to you as if you were a car owner. It’s a feature of your home and you should take advantage of it.

The gym space is funnnn-ctional. There’s not too much to boast about here, but the treadmill is there for you to burn off some steam. And its a moldable space. I’ve used it loads over the years. I’ve seen other residents bring in personal trainers, or use it as a yoga space. Some fresh interest and ideas can take the area to the next level.