Upper East Side

The quest to outdo One57's record-setting $100.5 million penthouse doesn't seem to be working. The two contenders, 220 Central Park South and 520 Park Avenue--both Robert A.M. Stern-designed buildings--announced their $250 and $130 million penthouses in 2016 and 2014 respectively, but there's been no movement since. The latter building seems to have taken the hint, though, as The Real Deal reports that the 12,398-square-foot triplex has been chopped up into two "smaller" units--a $40 million full-floor unit and an $80-$100 million duplex.
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January 4, 2019

Upper East Side Gilded Age mansion with Broadway cachet and a big money past tries again at $29.5M

Just over a year ago, The Real Deal reported that Tony Award-winning Broadway producers Janet and Howard Kagan (“Tuck Everlasting,” “Pippin”) had put the 25-foot-wide, 12,729-square-foot mansion at 11 East 82nd Street, purchased for $24.5 million in 2009, on the market, asking $44 million. The impressive Upper East Side limestone-and-brick townhouse was also known for having previously belonged to financier Ron Perelman. The 1895 building in all its six-story, elevator-enhanced, Gilded Age glory has just been relisted for $29.5 million, a hefty haircut from last year's ask.
Embark on the grand tour

Distinctive Homes

Photos courtesy of Roey Yohai Studio

December 18, 2018

A behind-the-scenes look at Gracie Mansion’s colorfully festive holiday decorations

By Emily Nonko

Gracie Mansion, the residence of Mayor Bill de Blasio, is officially in full holiday spirit. The historic home, which dates back to 1799, is showing off decorations that promote some of the mayor's top initiatives, plus the overall theme of togetherness. It's all the work of New York City's First Lady Chirlane McCray and renowned event planner Bryan Rafanelli, who have been refining the vision since this summer. This is Rafanelli's second year working with McCray to decorate the people's home of New York. For 2018, they selected jewel-toned colors, lots of ribbon, and even worked in some participation from New Yorkers. Keep reading to figure out how the pair made it happen, an effort that includes bringing a 17-foot-tall tree through a narrow French door into the mansion's ballroom. The images are sure to put you in a New York holiday spirit.
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December 11, 2018

For $43M, restore two Gilded Age Upper East Side co-ops to their historic grandeur

A three-bedroom co-op in the Rosario Candela-designed 720 Park Avenue, the epitome of 1920s Gilded Age grandeur, is on the market for $20 million. It was once part of an even grander duplex that belonged to onetime Macy's president and ambassador to France Jesse I. Straus. The lower unit is asking $23 million. The two owners are offering a $43M combo that could restore the home to its original impressive status with eight bedrooms and staff quarters that, according to the Wall Street Journal, include a flower room, a vegetable closet and a valet room where cuffs and collars were pressed.
See more of this impressive piece of old New York history

December 7, 2018

Hit producer Shonda Rhimes closes on $11.75M Upper East Side penthouse

By Alexandra Alexa

Shonda Rhimes -- the showrunner behind TV hits like “Scandal,” “How to Get Away With Murder,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” -- just picked up a penthouse at 765 Park Avenue for $11.75 million, The Real Deal reports. The Lenox Hill unit first appeared on the market in March for $14.75 million before being dropped to $12.5 million in June. This is Rhimes' second real estate move in the past few months. In October she listed one of her several Los Angeles properties, a Hancock Park mansion, for just under $10 million.
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Ikea’s first Manhattan store will open this spring on East 59th Street

Rendering of what the new Ikea storefront will look like, via Ikea

December 3, 2018

Ikea’s first Manhattan store will open this spring on East 59th Street

After teasing us last week with news that they were in the "preliminary" planning stages of opening a city-center store in New York City, Ikea has today announced, that they will, in fact, open their first Manhattan store in spring 2019. The IKEA Planning Studio--a delivery-only store concept that focuses on "smart solutions for urban living and small spaces"--will open at 999 Third Avenue, right across the street from Bloomingdales at 59th Street and just over the Queensboro Bridge from Long Island City where Amazon is readying to bring 25,000 employees.
All the details

Uncategorized

November 26, 2018

For $900K, this Yorkville co-op offers two floors, a clever layout, and a private backyard

Unless we're talking about a "sleeping loft," it's not that easy to find a true one-bedroom on the Upper East Side for under $1 million, but this charmer at 335 East 90th Street offers that and so much more. The completely renovated duplex not only has a large open living/dining area on the upper level, but below, it boasts a bedroom, bonus room, and 660-square-foot landscaped backyard. Pre-war touches such as exposed brick and a wood-burning fireplace remain but are complemented by modern built-in storage, a sleek kitchen, and contemporary spiral staircase.
There are even more surprises

Distinctive Homes

Rental Offers: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

Images (L to R): The Lewis, The Rollins, 1510Lex, and 46 Cook Street

November 25, 2018

Rental Offers: This week’s roundup of NYC rental news

By Ondel Hylton

Newly-Built Rentals at The Lewis Leasing Serene Midtown West Rentals from $2,825/Month=[LINK] The Rollins at Essex Crossing: New Lower East Side Rentals Leasing with Special Offers[LINK] Carnegie Hill Luxury Rentals from $2,995/Month at 1510 Lexington Avenue[LINK] Newly-Constructed, No Fee Rentals at 46 Cook Street in Williamsburg; 2-Beds for $2,999/Month[LINK] SEE MORE RENTAL NEWS AND OFFERS […]

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November 15, 2018

For $335K, this funky Upper East Side studio makes up in style what it lacks in size

In the heart of Yorkville, this cozy co-op studio at 203 East 89th Street doesn't offer a ton of square footage, but a $335,000 ask, daring design (hope you like black, white, and yellow!), and plenty of southern light–plus proximity to Central Park and other Upper East Side perks–make it worth a look.
Eclectic charm, this way

Distinctive Homes

November 14, 2018

Samuel L. Jackson lists Upper East Side condo for $13M

By Annie Doge

He may be the highest-earning box office star ever, but Samuel L. Jackson doesn't seem to have dropped much of his billions on designing his Upper East Side apartment. The rather sparse condo, located on the eighth floor of 26 East 63rd Street, takes up a sizable 3,000 square feet and has four bedrooms, a contemporary eat-in kitchen, and an entertaining area with a wet bar. As the Post reports, Jackson and his wife, actress LaTanya Richardson, have put the place on the market for $13 million, perhaps to spend more time at their gorgeously designed Tudor home in LA. They bought the apartment for $4.8 million from N.B.A. basketball player Greg Anthony back in 2005.
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From breweries and baseball to ‘cigar tenements’ and German Broadway: 10 secrets of Yorkville

Yorkville Theater, 86th Street between Lexington and Third, via Wikimedia

November 7, 2018

From breweries and baseball to ‘cigar tenements’ and German Broadway: 10 secrets of Yorkville

By Lucie Levine

Yorkville has been a popular outpost for the young professional crowd for quite some time now, but thanks to the Second Avenue Subway opening two years ago, the neighborhood has been getting on everyone's radar. But long before the cool subway mosaics, new building developments, and constantly-popping-up restaurants and bars, Yorkville had a diverse history that spanned more than 300 years. In celebration of this history, FRIENDS of the Upper East Side Historic Districts is releasing today a new neighborhood history book, “Shaped by Immigrants: A History of Yorkville.” And after getting a sneak peek, we couldn't resist sharing some juicy neighborhood history gems. From having its own "piano ferry" and the largest brewery in the country to revolutionizing apartment living, this Upper East Side enclave is bursting with exciting secrets!
10 things you probably didn't know about Yorkville

History

November 2, 2018

Upper East Side townhouse once home to Michael Jackson and Marc Chagall sells for $32M

The six-story Beaux-Arts mansion at 4 East 74th Street on the Upper East Side has been home to several prominent occupants throughout history from President Grover Cleveland’s law partner to artist Marc Chagall; Michael Jackson rented the house the '90s, and it served as the exterior of Nate Archibald’s residence in “Gossip Girl.” According to The New York Times and property records, the 16-room mansion sold in October for nearly $32 million.
Have a last look

October 23, 2018

The full interior of 116-year-old Glaser’s Bake Shop is for sale

For those still struggling with the absence of Yorkville institution Glaser's Bake Shop, which sadly closed its doors in June, there's a chance to hold on to some of that sweet nostalgia. The complete interior of the beloved bakery, which first opened on the Upper East Side in 1902 and is credited with inventing black-and-white cookies, is for sale. The Demolition Depot announced this week they are selling classic features of Glaser's, including its apothecary-style wooden showcases, sliding glass doors, original silvered mirrors, milk glass upper panels, marble countertop, and more (h/t Vanishing New York).
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October 18, 2018

‘Real Housewife’ Jill Zarin prepares to downsize, lists Upper East Side condo for $3.3M

By Annie Doge

After her late husband, Bobby Zarin, passed away earlier this year, original "Real Housewives of New York" cast member Jill Zarin has put her Upper East Side condo on the market for $3.3 million, after living there for 18 years. Since her daughter is also out of the house, she told Forbes, "it's time for a change of scenery," which likely be warmer weather since she added, "Since I love tennis, I want to spend more time in a climate that is suited for it." Likely in anticipation of selling, Jill renovated the three-bedroom apartment at 401 East 60th Street less than a year ago, working with designers at Schoeller + Darling on a contemporary makeover.
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October 17, 2018

1940s Upper East Side Modernist mansion gets a price chop to $35M

Known as the Sherman Fairchild Mansion, the modern-fronted townhouse at 17 East 65th Street is one of those New York City sights that might cause you to do a double-take in the middle of an otherwise sedate Upper East Side sidewalk. The current façade of this five-story home was designed by William Hamby and George Nelson in 1940 for aviation pioneer/inventor Sherman Fairchild. Well-known architect Michael Graves was commissioned to design yet another facade for the home in 1979, but that version was never built. The 25-foot-wide, 9,440 square-foot modern townhouse has been on and off the market since 2014, beginning last year at $40 million. Now, this unique townhouse has engineered yet another re-debut with a discount, asking $35M.
Have another look inside

Reserve tickets to celebrate Halloween with de Blasio at Gracie Mansion

Via de Blasio’s office

October 15, 2018

Reserve tickets to celebrate Halloween with de Blasio at Gracie Mansion

Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray on Friday opened the free ticket giveaway for festivities at Gracie Mansion this Halloween. From Friday, October 26 to Sunday, October 28, guests will be able to tour the historic home decked out in a haunted theme and enjoy activities like face painting, story-telling, a magic show, and arts and crafts. Expect both tricks and treats from the couple at this annual spooky celebration.
Here's how to get tickets

Events & Things To Do

October 15, 2018

For $29M, an Upper East Side townhouse designed by the historic architects of NYC’s elite

The NYC architectural firm of Delano & Aldrich designed some of the turn-of-the-century's most sophisticated structures, from the Knickerbocker and Colony Clubs to the Rockefeller's upstate estate Kykuit to a slew of uptown mansions. At the time, they veered away from the popular Beaux-Arts style and popularized an Anglo-American mix of Neo-Classical and -Federal designs. One such example is this grand townhouse at 15 East 88th Street, just listed for $28.8 million. As the listing states, it's one of their few intact mansions remaining in private hands. And since it's had only a few owners over the years, it retains its historic details and stately facades.
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Distinctive Homes

October 12, 2018

A touch of Versailles comes to the Upper East Side in this luxuriant $2.2M co-op

It may not have the size of Versailles but in just 1,200 square feet, this Upper East Side co-op packs an opulent punch that'll have you saying "oui s'il vous plaît." The $2.2 million duplex is located within a former mansion at 8 East 68th Street, just a few buildings in from Central Park. And in addition to location, it boasts intricate crown moldings and ceilings medallions, reclaimed oak herringbone floors, and an incredibly ornate marble fireplace mantle.
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Distinctive Homes

October 11, 2018

Troubled Upper East Side mansion tries again for $88M after record-breaking deal fell through

Fourth time's the charm? A 20,000-square-foot townhouse on the Upper East Side with its own movie theater and a panic room has hit the market again for $88 million. While the palatial home at 12 East 69th Street went into contract last December for $80 million, which at the time would have been the most expensive townhouse ever sold in New York City, the deal fell through this summer. The seven-bedroom home, built in 1884, was previously listed in 2013 for $114 million and then for $98 million in 2014. But if you're not ready to commit permanently to the mansion lifestyle, the home is also available to rent for $175,000.
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Distinctive Homes

October 8, 2018

$4.25M Upper East Side ‘classic 8’ has European flair and a French connection

On an historic and typically lovely tree-lined Upper East Side block between Park and Lexington Avenues, this sprawling 2,400-square-foot duplex co-op at 125 East 74th Street is as elegant and old-school as it gets, with modern interiors and laid-back charm. The listing points out the "European style and flair" of this classic eight, asking $4.25 million, with four bedrooms upstairs and plenty of entertaining space below; according to records, the home's current owner is Charlotte Sarkozy, ex-wife of Mary Kate Olsen's husband, financier Olivier Sarkozy (who is also former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's half-brother). As if that weren't enough of a pedigree, the building was also Jackie Onassis' childhood home.
Regardez ceci

Distinctive Homes

$75,000/night Upper East Side hotel room is the most expensive in the nation

Photo by Scott Frances for the Mark

September 28, 2018

$75,000/night Upper East Side hotel room is the most expensive in the nation

Most New Yorker don't spend $75,000 a year on rent, but a hotel room on the Upper East Side is asking that hefty sum for just one night. First reported by Bloomberg, the duplex penthouse suite is at the swanky Mark Hotel and boasts six bathrooms, five bedrooms, two wet bars, a 25,000-square-foot rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park, and a living room under the landmarked building's cupola that can be converted into a full-sized Grand Ballroom. In addition to being the country's most expensive hotel suite, it's also the largest at 10,000 square feet.
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Events & Things To Do

The Frick will take over the Breuer building from the Met

The Met Breuer. Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum.

September 26, 2018

The Frick will take over the Breuer building from the Met

It was announced Friday that the Met Museum would lease the Breuer building to the Frick, the New York Times reports. According to an agreement between the two venerable art institutions, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will likely sign the Met Breuer on Madison Avenue over to the Frick Collection beginning in 2020. Doing so would allow the in-debt Met to free itself of the last three years of an eight-year lease and an $18 million annual expense and enable it to put funds toward improving the modern and contemporary galleries at its Fifth Avenue flagship. Likewise, the Frick would have a suitable temporary home while the Gilded Age mansion that it inhabits is being renovated.
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Events & Things To Do

Bullet-proof Upper East Side townhouse designed by Rafael Viñoly lists for $50M

Photos by Aaron Thompson of Esto

September 25, 2018

Bullet-proof Upper East Side townhouse designed by Rafael Viñoly lists for $50M

Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly is best known for designing 432 Park, the tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere, but apparently, he makes time for private homes, too--at least when they come with headline-making features like a bullet-proof glass facade. His firm was first tapped to design the townhouse at 162 East 64th Street back in 2015 by Argentinian business mogul and billionaire Eduardo Eurnekian. Originally, the seven-story (don't worry, there's an elevator) residence was to serve as both his home and U.S. headquarters, but it looks like he instead decided to list the finished product for $50 million (h/t CityRealty).
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To live across from Central Park, you’ll pay 25% more than every bordering neighborhood

Via Wikimedia

September 25, 2018

To live across from Central Park, you’ll pay 25% more than every bordering neighborhood