A white-brick “star” with large apartments and white-glove service
In 2010, a New York Times article described Imperial House Apartments as a “star” in the small pool of the city’s estimated 140 white-brick-clad residential buildings. Those buildings, constructed in the 1950s and ‘60s for a “striving middle class”, had a small window of popularity. A backlash against the city’s limestone buildings fueled the style’s short stint in the imagination of New Yorkers. They “spoke to the future of New York,” Fredric M. Bell, then executive director of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, told the Times. Lacking the romantic ornamentation of prewar buildings or “the sparkling newness” of glass-and-steel modernism (also sweeping across skylines of major cities at the time), these structures were eventually viewed as an underwhelming option for home buyers, “a consolation prize in the real estate sweepstakes”. Their boxy facades and apartment layouts garnered a reputation as functional and unsexy.
But Imperial House was one of the very few exceptions to the seemingly humdrum style. When completed in 1961, the full-block structure housing 378 units became the largest post-war apartment building in Manhattan. Emery Roth & Sons designed its sprawling rooms, and in many units, corridors the size of small studios. “The layouts here are really generous,” notes Bianca D’Alessio, founder of Nest Seekers’ elite team, The Masters Division. With white-glove service added, the building became immensely popular.
Actress Joan Crawford lived in 22G from 1967 and then moved to 22H from 1973 until she died in 1977. Liza Minnelli lived on the 21st floor until 2015. (Both entertainers had their professionally decorated apartments profiled in Architectural Digest.) And J. Fred Coots — composer of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” — lived there with his wife. Despite its enduring popularity, prices at the rental-to-co-op residence (converted in 1971) have remained under $5 million, except for a few units containing more than three bedrooms. “A lot of people have lived in the building for a long time,” D’Alessio says. She adds that the building’s “location on the Upper East Side is prime,” helping to explain its abiding appeal. Buyers looking for clean, midcentury aesthetics without sky-high prices in a highly desirable neighborhood could find their boxes checked at Imperial House.
Spacious residences with dining rooms and space enough for in-bedroom lounges
Images from recent unit listings show expansive living and dining areas and bedrooms with room enough for lounge sections. “The apartments, particularly the one we just sold, are really oversized and can be converted, which makes it fabulous for starting families,” D’Alesssio says. “You get a lot of value here.” A one-bedroom under contract for $1.45 million in November of 2024 was listed at 1,500 square feet. A 1,750-square-foot two-bedroom sold for $1.9 million in October of that year, and a 3,000-square-foot three-bedroom sold for $2.695 million in the same month. There are no studios in the building. A few four- and five-bedroom units exist as a result of combinations.
Original apartments have galley kitchens but most owners have either opened them up or grabbed some of the substantial living space for expansion. Even then, most apartments still are big enough to create a designated dining room or a large dining area. The majority of units also have comfortably sized balconies and lots of closets. “You have a walk-in in the entry and the bedroom, a pantry in the kitchen, a linen closet, a coat closet,” says D’Alessio. “You get really, really good storage.”
White-glove service and a zen garden
Imperial House lacks some of the signature markers of newer luxury condominium buildings like a pool and residence-only restaurants. But, its staff of full-time doormen, concierges, on-site building manager, porters, elevator operators and even a garment alterations person make white- glove service a hallmark of the residence. There is laundry in the building and only certain lines have been approved for in-unit machines. The building’s privately owned, full-service underground garage offers residents parking spots for around $400 per month. A recently updated fitness center is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and there is a separate stretch room. Pick-ups and drop-offs are simple and convenient from the perfectly planted, semi-circular driveway. Upon entry, residents enjoy a large, glass-walled lobby designed by William Raiser, that opens up to a walled-off landscaped meditation garden, complete with a small pond and stone pathway. “There’s some really pretty green space around the building, which is nice,” says D’Alessio. Pets are allowed.
Luxury shopping and neighborhood restaurants nearby
The Imperial House Apartments are located at the center of prestigious Lenox Hill, ideally positioned for strolls to designer shops like Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin and Ralph Lauren on Madison Avenue. A walk west on 68th or 69th streets gets residents to Central Park in under 10 minutes. Museum Mile is also a simple stroll or short bus ride away. “There's tons of restaurants right here,” says D’Alessio. “One of my favorites is Mezzaluna on 74th Street and Lexington.” Target is on 3rd Avenue and residents get everyday groceries at Grace’s Marketplace on 68th and 2nd. 70th Street’s St. Catherine’s playground is two blocks east on 1st Avenue. Hunter College's main campus is across the Street. Lenox Hospital is between Lexington and Park avenues on 76th Street, and New York-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center on 70th Street between York Avenue and the FDR. Both are close enough to the building for sirens and emergency vehicles to disrupt the quiet and traffic from time to time.
Excellent connectivity with multiple subway lines and easy access to major thoroughfares
Imperial House residents are fortunate enough to have an entrance to the 6 train around the corner. If the Q train is needed, it’s only about a block and a half away on 72nd and Second Avenue and the F train going to the west side is located on Lexington Avenue-63rd Street. The M66 also takes commuters across town, and several buses travel both uptown and downtown from Lexington and Third Avenues. The FDR is the closest parkway, there’s an on-ramp at 73rd Street.
Collateral AnalyticsCollateral Analytics
Collateral Analytics AVMs (Automated Valuation Model) employ a number of statistical approaches combined with neighborhood-specific comparable selection guarantees the most up-to-date and precise valuations.
Black Knight®Black Knight
Black Knight’s AVM (Automated Valuation Model) is a state-of-the-art online residential property valuation tool that provides a quick and accurate estimate of the value of almost any home in the U.S.
First AmericanFirst American
First American Data & Analytics’ next-generation AVM combines unrivaled data assets with a blended ensemble of valuation models to produce highly accurate, reliable valuations you can trust.
Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
80/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
98/ 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
7 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Tramway Plaza
12 min walk
Picnic Area
Honey Locust Park
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Grand Army Plaza
15 min walk
Andrew Haswell Green Park
15 min walk
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Twenty-Four Sycamores Park
3 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Central Park
4 min drive
John Jay Park
4 min drive
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Capobianco Field
11 min drive
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Tennis
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
