An Amenity That Even The Neighbors Can Enjoy

When a prospective buyer of condominiums sees the word "amenity" in a brochure, he or she usually thinks of a 24-hour concierge, outdoor space, or even a spa service.

But the developer of a condominium tower rising in the West Village may top all those offerings. Hines, which is developing the project with RFR Realty, last week installed a wireless broadcaster at the construction site that allows free Internet access for anyone in Jackson Square Park, which is in front of the building. Many of the residents of the dozen buildings facing the park are also able to connect to the network.

Each of the 35 units in One Jackson Square can access it, as well, but the managing partner for the project, David Penick, said they will be more likely to use one of the high-speed hookups in the apartments.

"This is a gesture to the community beyond," Mr. Penick, who is also a vice president at Hines, said. "This kind of thing might make people more interested in using the park."

The initiative was undertaken with the help of a nonprofit group, NYCwireless, dedicated to increasing the number of wireless "hotspots" in public places around the city.

The executive director of the group, Dana Spiegel, said One Jackson Square was among the first to consider public Internet access as a worthwhile amenity for a development project.

The cost of installing the equipment is on the order of tens of thousands of dollars at first, with an additional annual cost, he said.

"This is good for a neighborhood," Mr. Spiegel said. "If you live in a building with 50 units, how many people know each other? Very few, if any. If people are in parks, they might get to know each other."

NYCwireless also sets up free wireless Internet in low-income buildings around the city.

One Jackson Square, at 122 Greenwich Ave., will be 11 stories of mostly one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Because the building is on a narrow footprint, each unit faces the park.

The building also will feature a fireside lounge with a system for screening films, a full-service catering kitchen, valet parking, fitness room, spa treatment room, and refrigerated storage in the lobby. Seven apartments have outdoor space, and the developers are aiming for LEED certification.

A listing with Corcoran Sunshine for a three-bedroom unit with 2,737 square feet is $7.4 million and a one-bedroom with 1,283 square feet is $2.41 million.

The apartments are more than 30% sold, Mr. Penick said.