Webster Apartments is the only remaining female-only apartment in New York. The purpose of this apartment is to provide female workers and students with affordable housing and a safe environment. Go check out the Webster Apartments New York erfahrungsbericht or review here!
History of Webster Apartments New York
The two brothers, Charles and Josiah Webster, are cousins of Rowland Hussey Macy, the founder of the Macy’s department store. They established the Webster Apartments in the 1920s to provide affordable housing options for the city’s single working women, regardless of their religious beliefs or nationality.
Before delving into Webster Apartments New York erfahrungsbericht, let’s start with learning about the apartment’s history. The family of Webster brothers’ main occupation was merchant, and they moved to New York City in 1876. After moving in, they soon found employment at Marcy’s.
Charles Webster became a senior partner in Rowland Marcy’s company in 1876 and died in 1919. After his financially prosperous career at Marcy’s, he donated most of his fortune to purchase a plot of land for the building. Seven years after his death, the apartment’s built was completed.
The first opening of the apartment building was in 1923 at 419 W34th Street. Around thirty to forty women resided in it at the time. Later on, the number increased to eighty residents by 1935. Josiah, Charles’ brother, was the organization’s first president. He decided to leave his fortune to the residence upon passing in 1942.
Although the apartment population didn’t reach the fame of other women-only residents like the Upper Eash Side’s Barbizon Hotel, Webster took the “revival” of The Rehearsal Club. This club is an audition-based women’s housing organization known for sheltering actresses such as Carol Burnett and Blythe Danner.
Also, there were famous visitors like Warren Buffet when he was just a student. He cold-called The Webster to ask out his college classmate, Vanita Mae Brown. Unfortunately, the relationship didn’t work out based on the organization’s history notes.
Webster Apartments New York Erfahrungsbericht or Review
Here are some reviews from former residents of Webster Apartments about their experience during their time living in the apartment. Many of them are composed of students or young professionals, including:
1. Sarah Berkes
Sarah Berker was delighted to find a women-only apartment still existed in New York City. Ms. Berkes was informed about Webster Apartments by one of her friends’ receptionists. She recommended Ms. Berkes check the apartment where she had lived during an internship the previous year.
Ms. Berkes once lived in sorority houses throughout college, and Webster sounded almost identical to her experience. The difference is that she would get her private room, not shared with others. She also likes that there are two meals a day, social and professional development activities, and light housekeeping available.
Ms. Berkes commented that the food was good, explaining that her breakfast consisted of oatmeal, fruit, and an egg-white omelet with tomato and spinach. Her only regret involving her stay at Webster Apartments was when she had to wait a week to move in.
2. Nicole Weaver
Nicole Weaver has stayed at Webster Apartment multiple times. At the beginning of her stay, she was a Penn State student who had an internship in the city, and it was her first time in New York. She mentions that there are plenty of opportunities to befriend other residents.
She said that other advantages of living in the apartment are the building’s central location and its safety. Also, her mother liked that she didn’t have to worry because there are guards and rules about who can come upstairs.
Webster Apartments Rules and Facilities
After you know about Webster Apartments New York erfahrungsbericht, let’s learn about its rules and facilities. Basically, Webster has firm and strict rules against hosting male visitors compared to other apartments that are available in the vicinity.
Even though guests were allowed in beau lounges, primarily used as co-working spaces now, males were strictly prohibited from entering any rooms above the ground level since its founding. When men enter the building, they are under the watchful eye of the security.
Despite that, this policy doesn’t hinder the residents from wanting to live at the Webster. As seen from a W42ST photo, males seem to be permitted in the suitor’s lounge. Following this, some areas inside the apartment are still only available for women, such as on the building’s rooftop.
During the early times of Webster Apartments, a wide range of services was available. Those services included sewing machines (now vending machines), a library, an infirmary, and a garden on the roof with a view of the Empire State Building. Moreover, the building originally had a dance and lecture hall.
In addition, there are a total of 360 bedrooms in the building. This women-exclusive apartment also has bathrooms and showers shared, with around five or six available on a floor. These bathrooms can accommodate 24 to 30 women. There are two meals served per day, and the fees continue to be included in the cost of the rent.
Referring from Curbed NY Times stated that the rents range from $1,000 to $1,800 and are determined based on the resident’s income. Also, the residents must be employed for at least 35 hours a week or in an internship or fellowship of at least 28 hours a week.
Webster Apartments New York Gets Sold
The Webster Apartments organization sold their women-only apartment building in New York City to Educational Housing Services based in Brooklyn. The apartment was purchased for $52.5 million, along with an adjacent undeveloped lot on the corner of West 35th Street.
Educational Housing Services company manages student and intern housing in five locations throughout New York City. Some of these housings include two year-round buildings and summer housing at Marymount University and Pace University residence halls.
They also have not announced any plans regarding the Webster Apartments. However, there’s a rumor that the building will be a co-ed student housing property that will no longer serve young professionals, based on Crain’s New York Business reports.
Are You Satisfied with the Webster Apartments New York Erfahrungsbericht?
Hopefully, some of the Webster Apartments New York erfahrungsbericht can be beneficial to you in choosing where you want to live. Webster had been the remaining few women-only apartments with a good reputation and affordable prices.
Now, let’s wait for the latest news about the apartment to confirm whether the current owner will otherwise change the building’s purpose or not.
