The Reserve: A Student Housing Decision Review
Overview and Location
The Reserve is a modern residential building located in Harlem, New York City (NY 10035). Completed in 2023, this 100-unit property offers a range of room types including non-ensuite units (shared bathroom), 4-bedroom apartments, and full apartments. The building sits at latitude 40.80, longitude -73.94, placing it in Upper Manhattan. Google ratings show 4.5 stars from 100 reviews, indicating a generally positive resident experience.
Monthly rent ranges from $2,072 to $4,354 (indicative — confirm with the operator), with a minimum lease term of 6 months. This positions The Reserve well above the city’s lowest advertised price of $850 per month, which typically represents shared rooms or older buildings in less central areas. Among 212 student housing properties in New York City, The Reserve is priced in the upper-middle segment for a newly built amenity-rich building.
Who This Residence Suits Best
Students or professionals who prioritize modern amenities and convenience. The building’s facilities are extensive: a fitness center, multiple roof decks, lounges, a business center with phone booths, a spa with aqua massage and sauna, a podcast and music room, and a golf simulator. Each apartment includes in-unit washer/dryer, smart locks, high ceilings, and plenty of natural light. Resident Adam Hakimian described the property as “sleek & modern” with finishes that “feel like a condominium.”
Those who want a secure, staffed building. The Reserve has a doorman and elevator, which is helpful for late-night arrivals or receiving packages. Elan Hakimian noted the “nice clean building and friendly staff,” specifically mentioning Wesley as helpful. Boubacar Diop emphasised that the management team, particularly David, “has been consistently helpful, professional, and accommodating.”
Short-term or flexible lease seekers. The minimum lease of 6 months is shorter than many New York rentals, making it suitable for exchange students or those who need a temporary home base.
Residents who appreciate communal spaces. With two roof decks, two lounges, and social facilities like a podcast room, the building encourages interaction. The golf simulator and music room offer unique shared activities.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Budget-conscious students. At $2,072–$4,354 per month, The Reserve is significantly more expensive than the city’s entry-level options ($850/month). Even a non-ensuite room in a 4-bedroom unit will likely cost over $2,000. Those on tight budgets may find cheaper alternatives further from Manhattan or in older buildings.
Those who want a vibrant, safe immediate neighbourhood. Resident Elan Hakimian stated plainly: “The area isn’t amazing, but I feel comfortable.” While Harlem has cultural attractions and improving infrastructure, some residents may prefer areas with more nightlife, shops, or dining within walking distance. The address in zip code 10035 is near East Harlem, which can feel less polished than Midtown or the Upper West Side.
Residents needing a private bathroom. Non-ensuite units mean shared bathroom facilities. If you require an en-suite or private bathroom, you’ll need to select an apartment or a 4-bedroom with en-suite layouts (not guaranteed). The listing does not specify en-suite availability for all unit types.
Those with very early check-in or move-in dates. The property does not list an available-from date, meaning you should contact the operator to confirm current move-in timelines. If you need immediate occupancy, you may need to arrange directly.
What Residents Actually Say: Quoted Reviews
Three Google reviews are available, all giving 5 stars. Key themes:
Building quality and design:
“Sleek & modern residential building in Harlem (built in 2023). Amenities are abundant (2 roofdecks, 2 lounges, a loaded Fitness Center, and a spa are just a few). Smartlocks at each apartment. Apartments get great natural light, have high ceilings, along with modern finishes (feels like a condominium).” — Adam Hakimian
Staff and management:
“The Reserve is a great place to live. The building has doorman, elevator, in unit washer/dryer, rooftop lounges, business center (with phone booths), Gym, Aqua Massage, Sauna, Podcast/Music Room, and golf simulator. Nice clean building and friendly staff. Wesley has been great!” — Elan Hakimian
“I’ve had a great experience at The Reserve so far. The building is well-maintained, but what really stands out is the management team. David has been consistently helpful, professional, and accommodating whenever I’ve needed assistance. It’s clear that he genuinely cares about residents and goes the extra mile to make [things better].” — Boubacar Diop
Area comment:
“The area isn’t amazing, but I feel comfortable.” — Elan Hakimian
Note: All quoted text is verbatim as provided, including truncated endings where the original review cut off.
Price Positioning vs. City From-Price
New York City’s lowest advertised student housing price is $850 per month. The Reserve’s minimum rent of $2,072 is about 2.4 times that. However, $850 likely represents a shared room in an older walk-up building far from Manhattan, or a temporary promotion. For a modern building with elevator, doorman, and premium amenities in Harlem, the pricing is consistent with new developments.
The upper bound of $4,354 corresponds to larger apartments or private studios. Compared to the average of 212 city properties, The Reserve sits above the median. If you value convenience and amenities over cost, the price may be justified; if you’re budget-focused, you can find many options below $1,500.
Room-Type Guidance
The property offers three unit types: non-ensuite, 4-bedroom (presumably apartments with four bedrooms), and full apartments (studios or one-bedrooms).
- Non-ensuite: Most affordable, but you share a bathroom. Suitable if you don’t mind communal living and want the lowest price in the building. Expect rent to be in the lower half of the range ($2,072–$3,000 indicative).
- 4-bedroom apartments: Usually four single rooms sharing a living area and kitchen. Likely mid–high range. Good for groups of friends or students who want individual bedrooms but shared common spaces.
- Apartment: A self-contained unit, likely studio or one-bedroom. Highest price, offers full privacy. Best for couples or those who prefer living alone.
All units include in-unit laundry, high ceilings, smart locks, and modern finishes. The facilities (gym, roof decks, lounge) are shared by all residents.
Booking Timing
Since the property does not list an available-from date, you should plan to book as early as possible, especially if you need a specific unit type. For a 2026 move-in, start looking 4–6 months ahead. If you’re an international student and need a lease starting in August or September, begin inquiries by March or April to secure your preferred room. The building has 100 units, so availability may be limited during peak season.
The minimum lease is 6 months, so you cannot rent for a shorter term. If you need only one semester, confirm whether the operator allows subletting or early termination subject to fees.
FAQ
Is The Reserve close to universities?
The property’s address is in Harlem, which is near Columbia University (Morningside Heights) and the City College of New York. However, the input data does not list specific universities. You should check distance using public transit: the 125th Street subway station (4,5,6 trains) is within walking distance. Expect 20–30 minute commutes to most midtown campuses.
Can I get a private bathroom?
Only if you book a full apartment (studio/one-bedroom) which likely includes a private bathroom. Non-ensuite and 4-bedroom units may have shared bathrooms. Confirm with the operator when booking.
What is the cancellation policy?
The input data does not specify. Standard New York rentals require 60 days’ notice; student housing often has flexible terms. Ask the operator about early termination fees before signing.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
Data sourced from independent housing platform records; all prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are from Google and are quoted verbatim.
For live availability and current pricing, use the on-site assistant to check real-time options.
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