A “Good Building” in the heart of the Upper East Side
In 1985, writer Tom Wolfe famously wrote for Esquire magazine about New York's "Good Buildings," defined as the city's most exclusive co-ops. Requirements of potential shareholders could include an all-cash payment, a minimum net worth of $30 million and an assessment of "bourgeois respectability" over cocktails. According to Wolfe, the vast majority of these buildings sat inside what was known as "The Triangle," a large section of the Upper East Side with the borders of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street to the west and south, respectively, and a diagonal cutting from East 98th Street to the east side's Sutton Place. Built by prominent New York City architectural firm Schwartz & Gross in 1926 and converted to a co-op in 1953, the 15-story co-op at 888 Park Avenue sits comfortably in that territory. (For the record, the co-op accepts 40% financing, according to listings.)
Nearly four decades later, the Park Avenue building continues to attract residents of considerable wealth, including Caroline Kennedy, billionaire investor Howard Milstein and hedge fund manager Louis Bacon, who purchased two penthouses in the co-op, including a 13-room residence with a 2,000-square-foot terrace for $13.7 million. "It's one of those buildings that protects the anonymity of the people who live inside," says Douglas Elliman agent George Shapiro, who has been doing business in the area for over a decade. "For people who buy in this kind of building, privacy is key. It's more of an understated opulence."
Expansive homes with luxurious prewar details
Residences in the 74-unit building include two- to 5-bedroom homes. Two- and three-bedrooms measure about 2,000 square feet and up and list for between $1.5 million and $3.7 million. Four- and five-bedrooms, which often have 10 or more rooms, can be as large as 3,825 square feet and ask between $5.9 million and $12.2 million.
While no two homes are the same, common features include beamed ceilings of 10 feet or more, crown molding, millwork, wood-burning fireplaces with ornate mantels, grand foyers and marble and wood floors. "It has all that prewar charm that people look for," says Shapiro. "With the bones of the layout and the ceiling heights, you have the canvas to make something of the utmost taste and style."
Some units enjoy Central Park views, and many homes offer entrance via private or semi-private elevator, with the latter sharing a landing with one other shareholder.
White-glove service, a fitness center and included private storage
Residents receive white-glove service, and the building is staffed with a 24-hour attendant, live-in resident manager and porters. The co-op has a full fitness center and private storage is included with a unit. The building permits pieds-a-terre and pets. Several medical practices operate on the ground floor.
Prime Upper East Side near Central Park and The Met Museum
The co-op's location offers classic Upper East Side living, starting with the iconic seasonally planted malls along Park Avenue. Central Park is two blocks west, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art can be reached on foot in less than 10 minutes. Grocery shopping options nearby include Butterfield Market or D'Agostino on Lexington Avenue. Lenox Hill Hospital and the Upper East Side institution, The Carlyle Hotel, are two blocks south at 76th Street.
Public transit two blocks away, with easy access to Manhattan’s West Side and the FDR Drive
The 6 train stops at Lexington and 77th Street, and the 4 train serves the station at night. The 79th Street Transverse through Central Park provides easy access to Manhattan's west side, while 79th Street connects to the F.D.R. Drive along the East River for travel uptown, downtown and to the outer boroughs. Laguardia Airport can be reached in about 30 minutes.
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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®
97/ 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
5 min walk
Ancient Playground
9 min walk
Great Lawn
13 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
John Jay Park
15 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Park Avenue Malls
3 min drive
Picnic Area
Abraham and Joseph Spector Playground
3 min drive
Playground
St. Catherine's Park
3 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Ruppert Park
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Theodore Roosevelt Park
4 min drive
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
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View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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