If you’re searching for units that deliver privacy or luxury, you’ve likely looked at a few penthouses and townhouses. You may have also come across listings for maisonette apartments and thought, “What is a maisonette?”
If you skipped over listings with this hard-to-decipher name—you’re not alone. When you’re caught up in the search for your dream apartment, it’s easy to feel derailed by real estate jargon, and the phrase “maisonette apartment” can leave new renters scratching their heads. Maisonette apartments are becoming more and more popular, so you’ll want to learn more about this unique unit type so you can decide if they’re right for you.
What is a maisonette apartment?
A maisonette apartment typically means a ground-floor apartment with a private entrance on street level. The phrase comes from a French word that means “little house,” but in the real estate world, it refers to an apartment within a larger structure.
You can think of a maisonette apartment as a hybrid between an apartment and townhouse. It has features similar to townhouse structures, such as private access to the outside. However, a maisonette is still a unit within a larger building structure, like an apartment.
In theory, a maisonette apartment could be any apartment within the building, as long as the unit has private ground-level entry. But apartments on the ground floor of a building that do not offer private access to the street don’t qualify as maisonettes.
This type of housing is becoming very popular in New York City. A typical maisonette apartment in NYC includes a ground floor and second level. Essentially, these are duplex apartments but with a private entrance that creates a sense of exclusivity.
What is the usual layout of a maisonette apartment?
Maisonette apartments are units located in larger buildings, and they can have one, two, or three stories. Many units considered maisonette apartments today used to be commercial spaces or offices before being converted to residences.
Since a private entrance to the street is a must-have detail for a maisonette apartment, you’ll find most maisonettes residing at ground level. That said, any apartment that gives you private street access (such as a dedicated staircase or elevator) could technically qualify as a maisonette.
What is a typical maisonette apartment in NYC?
Maisonettes are relatively rare, but if you’re looking for one to rent, you’re most likely to find this unique unit in areas of Manhattan like the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, or West Village. However, they are starting to pop up in newer buildings in Brooklyn neighborhoods, like Cobble Hill, Park Slope, and Williamsburg, as well. You’ll often find them listed as co-op apartments or condominiums on the ground level or first floor.
And while maisonette apartments are most popular in New York City, you can find them in other cities, too. Their perks, which can include lots of floor space and private backyards, make them appealing to city-dwellers. Above all, though, is the privacy that comes with going right into your apartment — without sharing an elevator or staircase with anyone in the building.
Are maisonette apartments the new luxury units?
Renters searching for luxury spaces tend to gravitate toward penthouse suites, or any unit that delivers impressive views. Ground-floor units, on the other hand, have a reputation as offering unpleasant living spaces. That’s because units on the ground floor are usually noisier, darker, and more exposed to both people and pests (think: rats) walking past. As a result, renters traditionally viewed ground-floor apartments as bargain apartments.
However, more and more city-dwellers see the benefits of living in ground-floor units these days. The private street access translates to unparalleled privacy that other luxury spaces can’t provide.
How do maisonette apartments compare to other apartments?
Understanding the differences between maisonettes and other kinds of units can help you when you’re looking for the right apartment to rent. So, how do they stack up against some other popular apartment types?
Maisonette Apartments vs. Townhouses
A maisonette with multiple floors may have the feel of a townhouse, but these two units are not quite the same thing. While townhouses are individual structures, maisonettes are part of a larger configuration.
Maisonette Apartments vs. Ground-Floor Apartments
The main distinction between maisonette apartments and regular old ground-floor units is private access to the street. Many maisonette apartments also offer another access point to the lobby. You’ll also find many maisonette apartments with second and even third floors, but multiple floors aren’t required.
Maisonette Apartments vs. Penthouses
While maisonette apartments and penthouses are both luxury units, the two come with significant differences for renters to think about. Maisonettes reside on a building’s ground floor, and penthouses usually live on the top floor of a building. Although both units offer great perks, renters should expect different lighting, outdoor spaces, and views from each.
Due to the street-level location, maisonette apartments usually won’t have that great view or natural light that attracts penthouse renters. However, maisonettes often have perks penthouses can’t deliver, like a private backyard. You also need an elevator to access a penthouse. The direct access maisonettes provide to the outside adds more convenience and privacy.
Maisonette apartments are ideal for renters seeking some extra privacy. While they feel a lot like townhouses, they still exist as part of a larger structure. Understanding what sets maisonette apartments apart from other types of units can help as you start your search for your dream place.
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