Guide to Renting in NYC Doorman Buildings

New York City offers a dizzying array of options for renters. When seeking an apartment for rent in the city, you’re sure to run across the term “doorman building” fairly often. By understanding what a doorman building is, you can decide whether or not to include such properties in your search. You can also learn to distinguish between genuine doorman buildings and properties that have concierges or security guards on staff – important distinctions.

What Are Doorman Buildings?

When most people think of an NYC doorman building, a uniformed man with white gloves standing under the awning of a massive pre-war structure springs to mind. Made famous in movies, books and other media, the idea of the gregarious, uniformed NYC doorman is firmly etched in the country’s collective consciousness.

Doorman buildings are about more than being greeted by someone in a uniform. In fact, doormen – or door attendants, as they are occasionally known – are rarely decked out in such finery these days. However, they continue to be among the most in-demand amenities offered by rental properties in New York.

Stereotypical NYC doorman buildings abound along Park Avenue, Central Park West, Museum Mile and other upscale parts of Manhattan. They are usually massive pre-war buildings, which are popular in their own right thanks to their superior craftsmanship and unique architecture.

Whether a doorman building fits the traditional mold or not, the attendant handling the door has many responsibilities, including greeting tenants, hailing cabs, accepting packages and help keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.

Unprecedented Demand for NYC Doorman Building Apartments in 2022

With the worst of the pandemic over, demand for rental units of all kinds soared across New York City. Rental prices returned to pre-pandemic levels in October 2021; today, they are approaching record highs with no end in sight.

Incredibly, demand for homes in doorman buildings has been stronger than nearly any other property type. From January 2021 to January 2022, the median rent for a unit in a doorman building increased by 23%, arriving at a near-record high of $4,298. Meanwhile, the median rent for units in non-doorman buildings only increased by 7.8% over the same period, arriving at $2,695 per month.

Finding any kind of apartment in NYC is extremely difficult these days; securing one in a doorman building is more challenging still.

Doormen versus Concierges

While hunting for apartments for rent in NYC, you may notice that some listings include concierges and others include doormen. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they reflect two different things.

Luxury apartment buildings in NYC and other major metro areas almost always offer 24/7 concierge service, meaning that the building has someone in the lobby around the clock. Unlike door attendants, concierges don’t greet residents at the door; instead, they sit behind a desk in the front lobby.

On the other hand, doormen stand in front of the building at the front door.

Many buildings have concierges instead of doormen; in that case, they serve as both essentially. Higher-end properties often have both. The larger the building, the more likely it is to have an attended lobby with a doorman or two out front.

What Do NYC Doormen Do?

When deciding whether to rent in a doorman building, it helps to understand what doormen typically do. You will pay a premium to rent an apartment in a building staffed by a doorman, so it pays to know whether the service is indeed worth it to you or not.

Some of the primary responsibilities of a typical NYC apartment building doorman include the following:

• Greet Residents – The doorman of an NYC building gets to know everyone who lives there. He greets them when they arrive and bids them farewell when they leave. Instead of arriving at a nameless, faceless building, you’ll arrive at a welcoming face and some friendly words. Many people appreciate this more personalized level of service.
• Accept Packages – In this era of online shopping, door attendants come very much in handy for residents, accepting packages for them around the clock. If something arrives while you’re out, the doorman will alert you when you get back. Non-doorman buildings usually have package rooms where you can retrieve packages, but there’s always an increased risk of something being misplaced.
• Provide Access – If contractors or other authorized people need to access your apartment while you’re away, the doorman can check their credentials and let them in if everything checks out. This is an excellent perk for busy professionals who can’t take time off to deal with such matters. It’s also reassuring to know that someone will personally ensure that the people wanting access are authorized to do so.
• Provide Spare Keys – Nothing is worse than arriving home after a busy day only to realize you’ve misplaced your apartment keys. If your building has a doorman, they can easily help you get back into your unit. Door attendants have keys to all of the apartments in the building, so they can help kids get in if they arrive before parents and assist in similar situations.
• Field Complaints – Finally, if building residents have issues with neighbors or other problems, the doorman may be able to help. At the very least, you can explain issues to the doorman, and he will pass them along to the appropriate person. A good doorman can also back you up if you’re having problems, helping you get them resolved more quickly.

Benefits of Renting in Doorman Buildings

With so many options for rentals in NYC, it’s crucial to whittle things down to properties that suit your requirements. By deciding whether you want a building with a doorman or not, you can zero in on options that meet your needs faster.

There’s a reason why so many people want doorman buildings: They tend to be nicer. Here are a few of the top benefits of renting a unit in this type of building:

• Luxury Service – Living in a building with a 24/7 doorman is one of the best ways to make the most of life in the Big Apple. There’s a certain level of prestige in living in a doorman building in New York, and many people are happy to pay a premium for it. Authentic luxury buildings have uniformed doormen, but even more moderately priced properties feel more upscale with someone to greet you at the door.
• Personal Attention – Many people strike up close friendships with the door attendants of their buildings. There’s something to be said for having a friendly face waiting to greet you when you arrive home. NYC doormen tend to be good with names and faces, so they quickly get to know new tenants. They also get to know your family and friends, making it easier for visitors.
• Safety – Although door attendants aren’t security professionals, their mere presence goes a long way toward discouraging criminal activity. New Yorkers know that doormen know their buildings and tenants. Such properties are not good targets for thieves, so there’s an added layer of security. Furthermore, a doorman can alert you if he notices anything suspicious, giving you greater peace of mind.
• Package Acceptance – When you live in an NYC doorman building, you never have to worry about missing a delivery again. With so many people ordering online all the time, packages are constantly showing up at NYC apartment buildings. Instead of ending up in a package room or getting lost, doormen accept them and pass them along to tenants. If you are tracking a package, you can even alert the doorman that it should be arriving soon.
• Maintenance – NYC apartment buildings with door attendants tend to be more well-maintained than other properties. This has a lot to do with the fact that doorman buildings tend to be luxury buildings, which tend to have superior services. However, door attendants also usually maintain the lobby, so common areas tend to be kept up more nicely in such buildings.
• Insider Knowledge – Finally, an NYC doorman gets to know the building where he works inside and out. These professionals can help you get to know the property, showing you the various amenities and other features. They also know the immediate area like the back of their hand and can assist you in finding what you need. As the eyes and ears of the property, the doorman also knows what’s going on with your neighbors. They can keep you in the loop about newcomers, people moving out and other news.

Potential Downsides to Doorman Buildings

There’s a lot to love about NYC doorman buildings, but such properties aren’t suitable for everyone. Before hunting for an apartment in the city, make sure you understand the potential drawbacks to living in a doorman building, including the following:

• Cost – If you want to rent an apartment in a doorman building, you will pay more. Often referred to as the “doorman markup,” rent in such properties tends to be 5% to 25% higher than in non-doorman buildings. Of course, this extra cost usually reflects many other upscale amenities. Doorman buildings are usually luxury properties, so you can expect perks like onsite parking garages, fitness centers and pet amenities in exchange for steeper rent.
• Lack of Privacy – For New Yorkers used to dealing with brusque attitudes, coming home to a friendly doorman can be nice. However, not everyone enjoys having to interact with someone whenever they come or go. If you are the type of person who prefers more anonymity, a doorman building in NYC may not be the best choice. In addition to interacting with the door attendant regularly, you may be drawn into gossip and drama about other building residents. If you’re primarily interested in having a doorman for security reasons, opting for a building with 24/7 security instead may be a better option.

Top Features of NYC Doorman Buildings

In New York City, “doorman building” is virtually synonymous with “luxury building.” Therefore, if a property has a door attendant, you can be reasonably sure that it also has many high-end amenities and services.

Some of the features you can expect to find in NYC doorman buildings include the following:

• Doorman – Naturally, a doorman building has a door attendant who greets residents around the clock. Some doormen wear uniforms, but most don’t.
• Concierge – Most luxury apartment and condo buildings in NYC have 24/7 concierges – professionals who man the front lobby handling various requests and issues. Many properties have concierges instead of door attendants.
• Pets – Some of the city’s most high-end luxury apartment buildings not only welcome pets but offer an array of pet amenities. Such properties often have onsite pet wash stations and pet-sitting services.
• Fitness Center – New York doorman buildings often have state-of-the-art fitness centers that are every bit as good as high-end facilities found across the city. Many fitness centers include studio space for yoga, Pilates and group classes.
• Outdoor Space – Especially since the pandemic, demand for outdoor space has soared. Doorman buildings usually have rooftop decks, terraces, courtyards and other areas where residents can get fresh air and enjoy green surroundings.
• Elevators – Doorman buildings are usually large, so they typically have elevators.
• Parking Garage – The best NYC apartment buildings with doormen have onsite parking garages. Many also include secure valet service, bike storage and charging stations for electric vehicles.
• Onsite Retail and Dining – These buildings often have ground-floor retail space, so shops and restaurants are within easy reach of residents.
• Co-Working Space – Post-pandemic, high-end doorman buildings often include co-working space where residents enjoy free Wi-Fi, printers, monitors and other features.

Want to Rent in an NYC Doorman Building? BCP Real Estate Group Can Help

If you like the idea of living in a doorman building in New York City and want to find an apartment to rent, you’re going to need all the help you can get. BCP Real Estate Group can assist you with access to our online NYC rental listings, referrals to brokers in your desired neighborhoods and many other helpful resources. For more information, please give us a call today.