Well, at least one publication has hinted towards an increase in tech industry professionals on the UWS. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
A recently released report by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli states that tech sector employment in New York City increased by 33.6% (43,430 jobs) between 2016 to 2021, and according to Forbes, this growth has been driving demand for luxury condominiums on the Upper West Side.
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“Demand for downtown domiciles was anticipated,” writes Forbes contributor Jeffrey Steele. “Largely unexpected has been the robust appetite for homes in the exclusive uptown enclave dubbed the West End-Collegiate Historic District.”
The publication spoke with real estate pros who highlighted two Upper West Side buildings which, they say, have seen a particularly high proportion of tech-industry workers taking apartment tours.
One of those buildings is 393 West End Avenue at 79th Street, a prewar building which has been renovated and converted into a new development condo. Steele writes that three out of every five prospects who’ve shown interest in the building have “journeyed northward from the burgeoning tech hub downtown,” and Louise Phillips Forbes of Brown Harris Stevens says that “Over the past 12 months, I’ve completed more than 22 sales with tech sector buyers, and 393 West End Avenue has been a particular standout.” Currently available units range in price from $1,278,650 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment to $6,780,500 for a unit with four bedrooms and three baths.
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Another standout has been the controversial 200 Amsterdam Avenue. Brown Harris Steven’s Robin Schneiderman says they’ve “seen interest from buyers in the technology sector who were attracted to the charm of the neighborhood,” though more specific details were not mentioned. Currently available units at 200 Amsterdam start at $3,100,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. The priciest current listing is a five-bedroom going for $8,800,000, though the tower made headlines when it listed two penthouses for about $40,000,000 each.
200 Amsterdam Avenue (mid-construction)
The tech sector has remained a lucrative job market as online recruiting firm Dice says the average tech salary in NYC was $115,510 during 2021, which ranks it third overall in the country behind only Silicon Valley and Seattle. Not only that, but tech is growing while other industries shrink; DiNapolis’ report also states that while the tech sector has grown dramatically, the private sector contracted 3.3% overall during that same 2016-2021 period.
While some tech companies are holding off on opening new offices in the city because of uncertainty about remote work, Google is growing rapidly – having recently opened a splashy new office at Pier 57 and asking their 12,000 NYC employees to return to work at least three days a week.
The tech sector likely grew by 33% since 2016.
I work in tech. And I live on the upper west side. I don’t have anywhere near enough money for a luxury place.
Same. And the salary info listed bears no correlation to the prices listed. Tech is a regular industry. Google is a high tech sector.
What made these people tech bros? Do you mean hypermasculine asshats? Because the article doesn’t talk at all about that. More with the facts, and less with the clickbait and stereotyping, please.
Yeah I had a problem with that term too, I forgot to mention before I posted. Again, that is associated with a certain contingent of the high tech sector, Google type places. There is a whole tech industry that is not high tech, and not about or even capable of coming in and taking over cities like high tech. I like any normal person cannot stand what is characterized as a tech bro, and a couple of cities have changed dramatically due to being overtaken by high tech and associated tech bros. No one has ever taken over NYC, that will probably be a cold day in hell. Also as a longtime woman in tech this is just another sleight.
I live a few buildings away from 200 AmsterdamWhich is very expensive and very nice and also Block from McDonald’s Starbucks Street which is always a disaster garbage crime etc. I wonder what they think of their new neighborhood after spending millions….
Who knows what your motivations are, but your description of that corner is not accurate.
One could easily walk past the McDonald’s 500 times in a month and not see “crime” or “garbage” for that matter.
It is not at all typical for crime to be occurring there. It is not at all typical for the block to be laden with garbage.
Remarkably, though that is a busy thoroughfare, you can walk 100 steps west on West 70th Street and be on a tranquil residential block.
There are a lot of schools in the neighborhood, and so particularly in the late part of the mid-afternoon you see groups of five, six, perhaps seven teenagers going into the McDonald’s, and later coming out eating French Fries while talking with each other.
Just south of the McDonald’s there is a pizza parlor. It is far from elegant in its appointments, however, the employees are very friendly, and the pizza is delicious. We especially like the pie with dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil.
Most of the time, the sidewalks around these places are litter free.
You do occasionally see litter, but you also see city employees cleaning it up.
Also, if you live “a few buildings away” from 220 Amst., then you know all the various alternate streets and blocks you could walk, if you are so troubled by the McDonald’s and the people who eat there.
Jill gave an accurate description of the street where McDonalds is located. It is filthy, congested, and chaotic. The pizza place puts their garbage our and it sits there over night. The halal vendor says he is hassled regularly by street people. The fruit vendor has told me that business is good but the street terrible. I have walked down that street daily for six years. I live on the next block. The sidewalk is caked with grime. That street is awful. To post otherwise is delusional. FYI- the pizza is awful..
I walk by the mcdonaldbucks every single day, dropping my kid at school. Then I wander all the surrounding blocks with my camera. I can assure you, it’s not pristine. Some blocks are clean, some blocks are filthy. It’s certainly not some crime free sparkling utopia, and someone who claims such has really strapped on blinders. I love my blocks but there’s no need for delusion. Just embrace the transition.
Scott Rose:
“One could easily walk past the McDonald’s 500 times in a month and not see “crime” or “garbage” for that matter.”
That’s reach, I walk that block fully more than 10 times per month, and I see plenty of garbage — especially near the McDonald’s end of the block.
Happily, I’ve not been around for the shootings or the fights. And yeah, I think twice about walking near the entrance/exit to any McDonald’s in Manhattan.
Hell YES!..Bring ’em on..The Silicon Valley-Seattle Techies..They’ve already destroyed San Francisco..It was only a matter time.. xx