39 East 12th Street (University Mews)
39 East 12th Street, New York, NY 10003
BBL 1005640026 · BIN 1009204
- Year built
- 1900
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- About 90
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; not in a historic district
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and City Planning records, updated February 2026
- Subletting by shareholders
- Permitted
- Dogs
- Not permitted
- Cats
- Permitted
- Doorman
- Full-time doorman
Every recorded sale at this building, 2003–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 1BR median, 2023–2026
- $1.1M
- 6 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $675K – $3M
- Listing discount
- 4.3%
- Recorded transfers
- 134
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at University Mews would likely sell for today, what it costs to sell, and what you’d walk away with — reviewed personally against condition, exposures, renovation quality, and the competition actually on the market.
39 East 12th Street — University Mews — is one of the signature loft cooperatives south of Union Square: a circa-1900 manufacturing-and-printing loft building, converted to residential use in 1980, that delivers genuine loft scale in a full-service, doorman-staffed setting. For the downtown buyer who wants barrel-vaulted ceilings, cast-iron columns, and big south light — but with a 24-hour doorman rather than a bare-bones boutique operation — it is a rare combination.
The block, East 12th between University Place and Broadway, sits in the heart of the "South of Union Square" area, a short walk from Union Square's transit and greenmarket, the Strand, and the Village's restaurant fabric. The district is known for its intact loft and prewar architecture; it is not currently protected by landmark designation.
Architecture and unit composition
Built around the turn of the twentieth century as a loft/manufacturing building and converted to a cooperative in 1980, University Mews is a seven-story loft co-op of roughly 90 apartments. The conversion preserved the building's industrial DNA: dramatic barrel-vaulted ceilings (reported near 12.6 feet), cast-iron columns, and oversized south-facing windows that flood the apartments with light. A canopied entrance and a substantial lobby give the building a presence unusual for a loft conversion.
Because these are converted lofts, floor plans vary widely — from one-bedroom layouts to large three-bedroom full-floor-style apartments — and renovation levels differ unit to unit, which is part of why pricing is so apartment-specific here.
Building operations
University Mews operates as a full-service loft cooperative with a 24-hour doorman/concierge, a live-in superintendent, full-time staff, a common roof deck, and central laundry. As a co-op, monthly maintenance covers building operations, staff, and the building's underlying mortgage and real-estate taxes.
The building's pet policy is specific: cats are permitted, but dogs are not. This is a meaningful house rule for prospective buyers — a dog-owning purchaser should weigh it directly. Board approval is required; confirm the application and interview process with the managing agent. Specific board financial requirements — minimum down payment, post-closing liquidity, debt-to-income limits, any flip tax, and the exact terms of the sublet policy — are board-set and can change; confirm the current requirements at offer stage.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of October 2026. They are shown as published, item by item; no total is added because the total depends on the transaction. Deposits are listed apart from nonrefundable charges.
Purchase
5 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Check FeePer applicantRequired | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $120 per applicant | Refundable Not stated |
| Exit taxRequired | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount 1% of the Sale Price | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage Deposit | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $750 | Refundable Refundable |
| Damage Deposit | Paid by Seller | When With the application | Amount $750 | Refundable Refundable |
Sublet
5 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Not stated |
| Background and Credit Check FeePer applicantRequired | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $120 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Sublet FeeRecurring | Paid by Shareholder | When Upon approval | Amount 12% of the annual maintenance for the sublet term | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Damage Deposit | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $750 (refundable) | Refundable Refundable |
| Damage Deposit | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $750 (refundable) | Refundable Refundable |
Refinance
2 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $450 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantRequired | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $120 per applicant | Refundable Not stated |
Management updates its schedule without a public filing. The date is when management last updated the page, not when a rule changed. Confirm the current schedule with management before you apply.
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the building's costs and purchase requirements.
Own an apartment here? Request an apartment-specific pricing review.
Sublet and pied-à-terre policy
A condominium owner leasing a unit and a co-op shareholder subletting are different rules, and a building-wide rule is different from a restriction on one apartment. This is the building's rule; confirm it for the specific apartment.
- Subletting by shareholders
- PermittedSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Pied-à-terre ownership
- Not verified
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the sublet and pied-à-terre rules for that apartment.
Pets and in-unit washer/dryer
- Dogs
- Not permittedSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Cats
- PermittedSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Not verified
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to confirm the pet and washer/dryer rules for that apartment.
Monthly carrying charges in recent sales
- Maintenance, per room
- $627 per room a monthMedian of 12 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
- Maintenance, per square foot
- $2.48 per square foot a monthMedian of 5 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
Maintenance as recorded with each sale. A co-op's maintenance already covers the building's real estate taxes and the building's own mortgage, if it has one; add your own loan payment for the monthly outlay. A summary of recorded sales, not a current bill; charges change.
Building staffing and amenities
- Doorman
- Full-time doormanSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Concierge
- YesSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Live-in superintendent
- YesSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Elevator
- YesSource: NYC Department of City Planning records (PLUTO)
- Amenities noted
- Roof deck, laundry roomSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
Staffing and amenities as our building profile and recent listing records describe them. A feature not listed is not confirmed absent. Outdoor space, parking and some facilities can belong to particular apartments or to a separate owner; confirm access for the specific apartment.
Local Law 97
- 2024–2029 annual penalty
- $0 (under cap)
- 2030–2034 annual penalty
- $24,898/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $22
- Modeled exposure split equally across 95 units (the residential count on the city's lot record). Not an assessed amount; co-op shareholders are typically charged by share allocation.
Source: NYC LL84 benchmarking and PLUTO · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
See full Local Law 97 analysis — emissions history, scenarios, methodology →Facade safety — Local Law 11
The latest available filing classified the facade as SWARMP — Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program: the inspector (QEWI) identified conditions requiring monitoring or repair, with repairs due by the deadline stated in the filing. The scope, timeline, and how the building funds the work are building-specific — we review the filings and board materials for you.
How to read this, and where it comes from
QEWI = Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector — a licensed professional engineer or registered architect who meets DOB’s FISP qualifications and signs the report (the independent expert, not the managing agent).
Source: NYC DOB facade filings (FISP) · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
Recent sales
University Mews trades as a cooperative, so co-op pricing convention is price-per-room — though the loft layouts also invite per-square-foot comparison given the open, scaled spaces. Pricing is driven by ceiling height, light, floor, layout, and renovation level, with the full-service operation and the dramatic loft volumes supporting value relative to smaller, unstaffed Village co-ops. Pricing spans a wide range, from one-bedroom lofts to the largest renovated three-bedroom apartments. With heterogeneous loft units, the most reliable pricing evidence is the building's own trade history adjusted for size, ceiling height, floor, and condition.
Recent transfers at this building, from The Roebling Research Library. Prices are the transfer amounts recorded with the NYC Department of Finance; apartment-level detail is checked against the building’s own file in The Roebling Research Library before publishing.
| Date | Unit | Apartment | Price | PPSF | vs. Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2026 | 507 | 1 BR · 1 BA | $1,125,000 | -2.2% | |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 308 | 1 BR · 1 BA | $985,000 | -1.5% | |
| Aug 4, 2025 | 510 | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,920,000 | -10.7% | |
| Jul 9, 2025 | 111 | 3 BR · 2.5 BA · 1,600 sf | $2,880,000 | $1,800/sf | -3.2% |
| Jun 20, 2025 | 202 | 1 BR · 1 BA · 1,000 sf | $1,375,000 | $1,375/sf | -3.5% |
| Apr 17, 2025 | 203 | $775,000 | -3.0% | ||
| Apr 8, 2025 | 805 | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,600 sf | $2,950,000 | $1,844/sf | -6.3% |
| Feb 13, 2025 | 407 | 1 BR · 1 BA · 950 sf | $1,325,000 | $1,395/sf | -5.0% |
Market read. $/sf is measured on the latest sales with reliable square footage (2025): a median $1,598/sf (recorded) across 4 sales. The building has traded as recently as 2026. Median listing discount 1.5% from the last ask — a recurring negotiation gap worth pricing into any offer or listing strategy.
The retrade record
Lines that have traded more than once in the public record — the building’s appreciation arc, apartment by apartment.
Full closing history with price-per-square-foot over time, the complete retrade record, and every line that has traded.
Sales sourced from NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers (BBL 1-00564-0026). Apartment-level facts (line, condition, asking-price context) curated and cross-verified in The Roebling Research Library. Not all transactions cross-verify with ACRIS records — sponsor and LLC purchases sometimes record at stipulated values rather than market price; square footage on co-ops is not officially recorded, figures shown are approximate.
Closed rents at University Mews, last 36 months
| Size | Leases | Median / month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 5 | $7,000 |
Also $96 per sq ft per year (4 leases that report square footage). 5 closed sublet leases, October 2023 to September 2026. Most recent lease July 2026. Sizes with fewer than 2 leases are not shown. Compiled by The Roebling Team at Compass from closed leases.
What would your apartment rent for?
The figures above are the building's closed leases. Enter your apartment and I'll send you what yours would rent for, from comparable leases at University Mews and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $1.35M (8 transfers in the past 24 months, since October 31, 2024), a buyer putting 25% down would pay about $27,113 to close, or 2.0% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $13,500
- No mortgage recording tax or title insurance on a co-op purchase
- Attorneys, lender, building fees and filings: $13,613
Assumes a resale (the seller pays transfer taxes), a $4,500 attorney fee and a mortgage on the rest.
Keep up with University Mews and its market
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What to know if you’re buying
You're buying full-service loft scale. Barrel-vaulted ceilings, cast-iron columns, and big south light, in a 24-hour doorman building — an uncommon pairing downtown.
Note the pet policy: cats yes, dogs no. This is a firm house rule; dog owners should factor it in before touring.
Confirm board financials at offer stage. Down-payment minimum, post-closing liquidity, any flip tax, and sublet terms are board-set; verify the current requirements before you commit.
It's south of Union Square, not in the historic district. The block is not currently landmarked — a character note, not a value concern.
Each loft is different. Ceiling height, light, and renovation vary unit to unit; price and compare carefully within the building.
What to know if you’re selling
The loft volume is the headline. Vaulted ceilings, columns, and south light sell this building. Stage and photograph to show scale and the quality of light.
Be upfront about the pet policy. The cats-only rule narrows the buyer pool at the margin; position the building's other strengths accordingly.
Price to the building's own comps. With heterogeneous loft units, the persuasive evidence is University Mews' recent trades adjusted for ceiling height, floor, size, and renovation level.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 39 East 12th Street, also evaluate:
- 10 East 12th Street — boutique prewar loft condominium on the same block (tenure contrast)
- 18 East 12th Street and 21 East 12th Street — Village buildings on East 12th Street
- 15 West 12th Street — full-service Village co-op across Fifth Avenue
- 24 Fifth Avenue and 33 Fifth Avenue — larger full-service Fifth Avenue co-ops nearby
More Greenwich Village buildings
- 37 West 12th Street — 1962 co-op by Mayer & Whittlesey
- 38 East 10th Street — 1929 co-op
- 38 West 9th Street (The Portsmouth) — 1882 co-op by Ralph S. Townsend
- 39 Fifth Avenue — 1922 co-op by Emery Roth
- Washington View, 39½ Washington Square South — 1889 co-op
- 40 East 9th Street (The Sheridan) — 1950 co-op
The neighborhood
For the full corridor — architecture, transit, and pricing across Greenwich Village — read The Roebling Team Guide to Greenwich Village.
The full playbook — what goes in the package, how boards read your financials, the interview, and the timeline — plus sample cover, reference, and personal letters you can adapt.
How to read the facts on this page. Items attributed to an offering plan describe the building as it was offered at that filing — unit mix, square footage, the amenity program as planned. They are not a statement about how the building operates today. Tax and compliance figures are sourced separately to current City records and carry their own dates. House rules, staffing and fee policy can change by board resolution without any public filing: treat every policy line here as a starting point for diligence and confirm it with the managing agent. Where this page compares one building or neighborhood to another, that is our analysis of the recorded record — it names the measure, the period and the sample it rests on, and it is an observation about medians rather than a prediction about any particular apartment.
Considering a move at University Mews?
Request a private building brief with the relevant comparable sales, current and off-market availability, and an apartment-specific view of value.
646.939.7375 · c.cohen@compass.com