Penthouse Apartments • Fordham, Bronx
Penthouse Apartments in Fordham, Bronx (2026)
NYC penthouses are top-floor apartments typically with a private terrace, multiple exposures, and setback construction from the street level. True penthouses are rare and command the top rents in their buildings. Watch for "PH" listings that are just high floors without the defining penthouse features. Fordham scores 4.1/10 on DwellCheck's livability index (#15 of 22 Bronx neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data), with 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries.
Fordham at a glance
Fordham is a transit-connected neighborhood with genuine green space (composite 4.1), but high crime and noise make it a pragmatic rather than appealing choice.
What to look for in a penthouse apartment in Fordham
Fordham has a specific housing profile that affects your penthouse search. Its practical score is 1/10 (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer), and the most common residential building class is walk-up apartments (47% of residential tax lots in NYC's PLUTO data). These are the considerations that matter most here:
- •True penthouse vs "PH" floor number (true penthouses have private outdoor space)
- •Private terrace size and access
- •Multiple exposure directions (penthouses typically have 2-4 exposures)
- •Setback construction (the unit sits back from the building edge)
- •Elevator key access or private elevator
How to verify a penthouse listing
Listings often over-promise on amenities. Before you sign a lease for a claimed penthouse apartment in Fordham, run through this verification checklist:
- ✓Verify private outdoor space — a "PH" without a terrace is just a high-floor unit
- ✓Ask about elevator access (some penthouses require key-activated elevator)
- ✓Check for roof access rights separate from the rental
- ✓Inspect the outdoor space drainage and structural integrity
- ✓Confirm the terrace has legal occupancy and load ratings
Want a deeper dive? Read our full NYC Building Types Explained guide.
About Fordham, Bronx
Fordham sits in the central Bronx with dense apartment stock: of its 504 residential tax lots, 47% are walk-up apartment buildings and 19% elevator apartment buildings. You'll find yourself surrounded by trees: an average of 255 within a 200-meter radius and tree density of 9.3/10, which softens the streetscape considerably. Parks are accessible: Slattery Playground is about 122 meters from the neighborhood's center, and the 3 nearest parks average 325 meters. Three subway lines (the 4 at Fordham Rd and 183 St; the B and D at Fordham Rd and 182-183 Sts) run through, making transit practical. But you should know: the neighborhood registers 5,806 noise complaints and 3,655 crimes over 12 months, with crime trending upward at +6.7%.
Fordham scores 4.1/10 overall on DwellCheck's livability index, ranking #15 of 22 Bronx neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data. Rent prices in Fordham vary widely; check specific listings for current market rates. DwellCheck lists 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries for Fordham, including Fordham Rd, 182-183 Sts, 183 St.
A typical 200m circle in Fordham holds about 255 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 9.3/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Fordham: Slattery Playground, Jardin De Las Rosas. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Slattery Playground, about 122m.
Subway stations in Fordham
Who Fordham is best for
Commute score of 6 is above the borough median of 5, and you have direct access to three subway stations within walking distance and proximity to Fordham University and Metro-North connections.
Outdoor score of 7.2 beats the borough median of 6.7, driven by high tree density (9.3/10 tree density) and the 3 nearest parks averaging 325 meters from the neighborhood's center.
Safety is a significant concern: the neighborhood has a lower crime rate per resident than 14% of Bronx neighborhoods, with a worsening trend. Practical score of 1 reflects a high rate of HPD housing violations per residential building.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I know about finding a penthouse place in Fordham?
Fordham pricing varies by block and building. Fordham ranks #15 of 22 Bronx neighborhoods scored from NYC Open Data on livability (4.1/10). Known for fordham university and bronx zoo, Fordham has a rental market where penthouse options depend heavily on building era and management. Fordham is a transit-connected neighborhood with genuine green space (composite 4.1), but high crime and noise make it a pragmatic rather than appealing choice.
How much should I expect to pay in Fordham?
Pricing in Fordham varies widely by block, building age, and floor. Bronx is a large borough with significant rent variation — always compare at least 3-4 listings before committing.
Is Fordham actually a good fit for someone looking for a penthouse apartment?
Depends on your priorities. Fordham scores 1/10 on practical (HPD housing violations per residential lot, higher = fewer) and 6/10 on commute (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood). It tends to work best for transit-dependent commuters. The penthouse inventory specifically depends on building stock, which you can verify address by address.
How do I get around from Fordham?
DwellCheck lists 3 subway stations inside the neighborhood's boundaries, including Fordham Rd (4/B/D) and 182-183 Sts (B/D). The commute score is 6/10 (subway stations and lines inside the neighborhood); it is not a travel time, so check the trip to your own destination.
What about safety in Fordham?
Block-by-block variation is significant — two addresses a quarter mile apart can have very different safety profiles. Bronx averages 515.9 reported incidents per 300m radius and 2.7 shooting incidents per 500m. The only way to know for a specific address is to check the NYPD data within a walking radius.
Are there parks or green space near Fordham?
A typical 200m circle in Fordham holds about 255 trees in NYC Parks' tree inventory (street and park trees), a tree density of 9.3/10 on a citywide percentile scale. Largest parks in or near Fordham: Slattery Playground, Jardin De Las Rosas. Nearest to the neighborhood's center: Slattery Playground, about 122m. The outdoor score is 7.2/10. Green space access is a genuine strength here.
What ZIP code covers Fordham?
Fordham falls in 10458 (Fordham / Belmont).
Penthouse Apartments in other Bronx neighborhoods
Check a specific Fordham address
Neighborhood averages are a starting point. Every NYC apartment building has unique violations, complaint history, and livability characteristics. Enter any address for a block-level analysis.
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