A prestigious Park Avenue co-op designed by two iconic architecture firms
Right as the age of the automobile began to boom in America — alongside the onset of the Great Depression — two of New York’s most revered architectural firms were at work on what is now the template for a “classic, prewar Park Avenue apartment.” In 1930, architect Emery Roth (the mind behind some of the city’s most well-known residential buildings like The San Remo and The El Dorado) teamed up with McKim, Mead & White (the trio who designed the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park, Penn Station and more) to create a luxurious 19-story, limestone rental building, which later became a co-op in the late 1950s.
Today, 784 Park Avenue is just as prestigious as it was when it was built, although some may consider it a bit understated compared to the new luxury builds throughout the city. Still, that understated quality reads classic and may be exactly what attracts buyers. According to Danielle Wiedemann, an agent with Sotheby’s International Realty, “It’s just a beautiful, prewar Park Avenue building. It’s pretty low key, but it’s very attractive with terracotta design elements on the exterior. It’s not overly design-y,” she says of the 58-unit high-rise. “The thing about Roth is it’s about the trajectory of light into each room — the rooms are huge. [Plus,] you’re not hemmed in by anything on the lower floors, so the light is spectacular.” Wiedemann also notes that the co-op is “super well-managed and well-maintained,” adding that the building’s financials are very strong.
Truly unique apartments with classic, prewar design elements
Buyers are drawn to the spacious layouts, preserved herringbone floors, and nine- to 10-foot-high ceilings, among other prewar elements like crown molding and cove ceilings. “They’re laid out really well, but they’ve all been changed so much. There’s no uniformity across units,” Wiedemann says. Many residences have been combined, resulting in both duplexes and triplexes, as well as private balconies on the building’s limestone setbacks and roof, which offer views of Central Park to a lucky few. Residents have also added unique touches to their apartments, including grand, built-in bookshelves, bathrooms clad in white marble, wood-paneled libraries and sliding doors that separate the formal dining areas from the kitchen and butler’s pantry. “There are a ton of differences [between each unit]. Some people have turned bedrooms into closets,” she adds. “That happens all the time in nice, prewar apartments. They take half the third bedroom and turn it into the master closet.” Another unique feature, for Manhattan at least, is the wood-burning fireplaces, which, given the historical aspect of the building, have been grandfathered in since they’re no longer allowed in new construction. Most apartments also have an in-unit washer/dryer, and many feature chef’s kitchens with high-end appliances.
Here, most buyers pay cash for their residence
While buyers have to put down a minimum of 50 percent, Wiedemann says that most pay for their units in cash. One-bedrooms have sold for between $765,000 and $850,000 in recent years, but there’s a big jump in price for two-bedrooms, which can go anywhere from $2.9 million to nearly $3.35 million. Three-bedrooms typically run between $3.5 million and $7.6 million, while four-bedrooms go between $6.1 million and $7.9 million. Wiedemann says the common charges are “very reasonable” for the area, and pied-a-terres and co-purchases are only allowed on a case-by-case basis. However, prospective shareholders should know that there is no renting of any kind allowed. Guarantors are also not allowed as Wiedemann says “it’s not that kind of building.”
White-glove services include a full-time doorman but no rooftop access
The design of the fully-attended, marble-clad lobby is understated, a choice that Wiedemann says is both quiet and tasteful. “It [doesn’t have] a huge seating area like some lobbies. There’s a couch on each side, but it’s not one of those tremendous wastes of space,” she adds. “The staff and everyone I’ve met have just been lovely. There are always multiple doormen in the lobby.” Residents enter from the side street, which offers a little more privacy than entering on Park Avenue and can access their units from two passenger elevators. There’s no common rooftop, as the penthouses have that space for their private terraces, but there are other basic amenities within the building. Prospective shareholders can expect a small common laundry room and a gym, which Wiedemann calls a “rainy day gym,” adding that it’s not like “going to Equinox or anything.” Private, dedicated storage spaces are also included with every unit: “The [storage spaces are] super large and full height,” Wiedemann says. “The one with my [listing] is [the size of] a very large prewar bathroom. It’s a nice bonus.”
A touch of Park Avenue history
In the early- to mid-19th century, Manhattan’s Park Avenue was the main thoroughfare for the New York Rail Road before part of its tracks were covered to make way for green, pedestrian-friendly sections (hence its name). By the early 1920s, luxurious apartment buildings began popping up along this extra-wide boulevard, giving way to what we see today. As of August 2024, there are new plans for bringing the “park back to Park Avenue”: the Department of Transportation and Mayor Adams have announced they’re planning to add more “greenery, public seating, concessions and safer crossings for pedestrians” in a new design proposal that will further change the avenue.
Situated in Lenox Hill on Manhattan’s Upper East Side
Located on the corner of 74th Street, the building is just two avenues away from Central Park, Manhattan’s largest green space, as well as a 12-minute walk from the Central Park Boat House and scenic sections like Bethesda Terrace. While there’s limited dining on Park Avenue, residents can get Italian fare at Via Quadronno one avenue away on Madison, and there are several casual grab-and-go spots on Lexington, such as William Poll for gourmet sandwiches. Lenox Hill Hospital is two blocks north of the building, and the closest subway is the local 6 train at the 77th Street station, which is approximately a five-minute walk away. The crosstown M79 bus route, which stops at Madison Avenue, takes residents to the west side of Manhattan, as well as farther east.
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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®
95/ 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
Central Park
9 min walk
Ancient Playground
13 min walk
St. Catherine's Park
15 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Grand Army Plaza
2 min drive
Tramway Plaza
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Andrew Haswell Green Park
3 min drive
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Twenty-Four Sycamores Park
3 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
John Jay Park
3 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Great Lawn
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
Schools
Source:
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