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125Units
34Stories
1962Year Built
Available Units
For Sale
For Rent
Highlights
Doorman
East Side Elementary School, P.S. 267 Rated A
Fitness Center
City View
Elevator
Bike Room
Mid-century trendsetter from a legacy architect
Tower East was a pioneer at its outset, and more than 60 years since construction, it continues to stand out among its high-rise Upper East Side neighbors. Richard Jr. Roth, grandson of prominent residential architect Emery Roth, received an award from the New York State Association of Architects for designing Tower East as a deviation from the then-common trend of having setbacks every several stories. “It was considered an innovative building because it was not shaped like a wedding cake; instead, it expressed the very essence of modernity with sheer exterior walls supported on a low, wide podium,” writes Steven Ruttenbaum in his book, Mansions in the Clouds. Although, according to Ruttenbaum, this type of tower became common place throughout New York City, similar buildings at this intersection lack the wide base that gives Tower East residents a spacious lobby and outdoor courtyard — not to mention the patio directly above with more room for trees and planters. The narrowness of Richard Jr.’s design also means that every unit has at least one corner window, so while residents may have somewhat limited amenities and high monthlies due to the property’s location on leased land, they all have pretty great views.
No home under 1,000 square feet
Large layouts are one of Tower East’s big draws, as no floor holds more than four residences and the approximately 130 units are evenly divided between two-, three- and four-bedrooms. Most two bedrooms, ranging from around 1,300 to 1,600 square feet, have a larger primary bedroom with multiple closets and a smaller secondary bedroom that was originally built as a maid’s quarters next to the kitchen. Three bedrooms start at 1,600 square feet and go up to 2,800 square feet in combination units, some with multiple living rooms, breakfast nooks and wet bars. Four bedrooms typically vary from 2,000 to 2,700 square feet and have spacious details like foyers and separate dining and living rooms, while larger combination units that go up to 6,000 square feet with six bedrooms can be duplexes with multiple kitchens.
Contemporary designs with vintage touches
Tower East’s interiors represent various design trends through the decades, and stepping into certain units can be like exploring a time capsule that’s already been opened once or twice. Some kitchens may have patterned wallpaper, Mediterranean-inspired tile and a dishwasher, while others have a turn-of-the-21st-century mix of white lacquer cabinets and granite countertops. More recently updated units have luxe details like wood-paneled walls, waterfall islands and, in John Steinbeck’s former home office, rich hardwood floors. Bathroom styles also vary widely, some boasting floor-to-ceiling marble with walk-in showers and others being more modest — although one of the biggest units has a jacuzzi and a wall-mounted telephone in the bathroom.
Pros and cons of a land-lease building
Units in Tower East are priced considerably lower than those in similarly high-end co-ops nearby — from $200,000 less to many millions less. This is largely because it’s a land-lease building, and to compensate for the high monthly maintenance fees that are used to cover the cost of renting the land from a private owner, residents get a discount on the sale price. “Discounts in land-lease buildings are 25%, although I’m beginning to think it is more like 35% to 40%,” Susan Landau Abrams, an agent and Tower East resident, told the New York Times in 2015. The land lease is set to expire in 2107, so buyers have several decades to go before worrying about how the lease renewal may or may not impact the building’s value. But in the short term they have to pay additional monthly assessment fees of several hundred dollars, and a transfer fee of 2% of the sale price if they eventually sell their unit.
Space for parking and relaxing under the skyline
Amenities offer a great deal of convenience, from the common laundry room and gym to the children’s playroom and rooftop deck with lounge chairs for taking in the city skyline or entertaining guests. There’s also a public parking garage beneath the building, so residents with cars don’t always have to hunt for street parking.
Lenox Hill highlights
Central Park, less than half a mile west, is the neighborhood’s most versatile asset — with green spaces, playgrounds, bike paths and the famed (and much-filmed) model boat sailing pond. A block east, Second Avenue is dotted with bars and restaurants, and nearby, the Park Avenue Armory and Asia Society Museum offer year-round art and cultural exhibits. And even closer to home, the retail spaces on the ground floor of Tower East give residents quick access to a bank, salon and Anthropologie.
Convenient commutes on the east side
The Q and 6 trains are both a few blocks south of Tower East, so residents can easily commute along Manhattan’s east side and go into south Brooklyn. Buses run north and south along Third and Lexington avenues, and there’s a CitiBike station down the street for more local trips. FDR Drive is also less than a mile east when car owners need to drive up to Harlem or down to the southern end of Manhattan.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
81/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
100/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
St. Catherine's Park
9 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Tramway Plaza
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Central Park
15 min walk
John Jay Park
15 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Andrew Haswell Green Park
2 min drive
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Grand Army Plaza
2 min drive
Twenty-Four Sycamores Park
2 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Ancient Playground
3 min drive
Honey Locust Park
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
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