642 W 138TH Street
$1,950,000
MLS# RLS20112333 · Hamilton Heights
Listed September 2, 2026 · 64 days on the market
4 Beds 3 Baths
About This Property
All open houses are BY APPOINTMENT only642 West 138th Street presents a rare opportunity to own a classic Harlem townhouse on a picturesque, tree lined block between Broadway and Riverside Drive in the heart of Hamilton Heights.Built in 1901, this well maintained single family townhouse is currently configured with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a dedicated home office, offering a flexible layout for modern living. The property also provides the option to convert to a two family configuration, giving future owners additional flexibility for rental income, multigenerational living, or a separate guest residence.One of the property's most compelling features is its long term development potential. With a maximum buildable area of approximately 7,885 square feet, there is an opportunity to substantially increase the existing footprint. Located outside of a historic district, the property also offers greater freedom to reimagine and customize the exterior, subject to applicable zoning and building approvals.The home is fully electric and benefits from exceptionally low annual property taxes of under $6,000, an increasingly rare advantage for a Manhattan townhouse.The location combines residential charm with exceptional accessibility. The 1 train at 137th Street City College is just one block away, providing a convenient commute to Midtown and throughout Manhattan. Riverside Park and Riverbank State Park are nearby, offering waterfront paths, green space, recreation, and access to the Hudson River.The surrounding neighborhood continues to benefit from major institutional anchors, including Columbia University's expanding Manhattanville campus, The City College of New York, and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital.Whether you're looking for a spacious primary residence, the flexibility of a two family home, or a townhouse with meaningful expansion potential, 642 West 138th Street offers a unique combination of location, versatility, low carrying costs, and future upside in one of Hamilton Heights' most desirable residential pockets.
Curtis Bain
Brown Harris Stevens
Property Features
Policies
- Pets allowed
- Smoke-free
Home features
- Washer/dryer in unit
- Central air
- Private garden
- Private outdoor space (over 60 sq ft)
Building amenities
Services and facilities
- Green building
Estimate
Monthly Cost & Closing Costs
The rate is a placeholder, not a quote. Enter the one your lender gives you.
$10,295 / month
- Principal and interest$9,860
- Property taxes$435
Due at closing
- Down payment (20%)$390,000
- NYS “mansion tax” (1%)$19,500
- Mortgage recording tax (1.925%)$30,030
Not included: attorney, title insurance, lender and appraisal fees, board application and move-in fees, flip tax and prepaid items. Estimates only, based on the published New York State rates. Your attorney and lender will confirm the real figures.
About the Building
642 W 138TH Street is a 2-story one-family dwelling in Hamilton Heights, completed in 1901 and home to 1 residential units.
The closest subway is 137 St-City College (1), about a 3-minute walk. Riverside Park is roughly 1 minute away on foot.
Compiled from NYC public records and open data.
- Year Built
- 1901
- Stories
- 2
- Units
- 1
- Building Type
- One-Family Dwelling
Location & Nearby
Map
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642 W 138TH Street
Subway
- 1137 St-City CollegeAbout 3 min walk · Accessible
- 1145 StAbout 10 min walk
Parks
- Riverside ParkAbout 1 min walk
- West Harlem PiersAbout 5 min walk
- Jacob H. Schiff PlaygroundAbout 5 min walk
Public schools · Elementary schools
- P.S. 192 Jacob H. SchiffAbout 4 min walk
- KIPP S.T.A.R. College Preparatory Charter School · CharterAbout 6 min walk
- KIPP Infinity Charter School · CharterAbout 6 min walk
Middle schools
- Hamilton Grange Middle SchoolAbout 4 min walk
- Urban Assembly Academy for Future LeadersAbout 12 min walk
High schools
- High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City CollegeAbout 9 min walk
- A. Philip Randolph Campus High SchoolAbout 11 min walk
Colleges & universities
- City College of New York (CUNY)About 8 min walk
- Manhattan School of MusicAbout 20 min walk
- Teachers College, Columbia UniversityAbout 23 min walk
- Boricua CollegeAbout 24 min walk
Museums
- Museum of the American IndianAbout 20 min walk
- Sugar Hill Children'S Museum of Art & StorytellingAbout 24 min walk
Walking times are estimates. Schools shown are the nearest public and charter schools and are not zone assignments; a nearby school is not necessarily the one an address is zoned for. Confirm zoning with the NYC Department of Education. Sources: MTA, NYC Parks and NYC Department of City Planning open data.
Gallery
Property Photos
Listing Courtesy of Serhant
This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.