Designed by architect I.M. Pei, this condo complex converted from rentals in 1981
Upon its completion in 1965, the Kips Bay Towers received several national design awards, including the Albert S. Bard Award from the City Club of New York. It was the first New York City project from renowned architect I.M. Pei, who later designed the glass and steel pyramids outside of the Musée du Louvre in Paris. While Pei’s Kips Bay Towers design (which includes two, 21-story slab buildings) was forward-thinking at the time, it wouldn’t be considered contemporary by today’s standards. By cleverly using concrete as both a structural and finishing material, Pei was able to add far more windows than one might typically find in the area’s brick-clad highrises. But in a city that’s now dominated by glass towers, the buildings’ gridded concrete facade can appear outdated. Sarah Cotty, an associate real estate broker at SERHANT, draws a fitting comparison: “With so many windows across it, the facade kind of looks like a rectangular honeycomb.” Thanks to Pei’s emphasis on concrete, Kips Bay Towers has become associated with Brutalism, rather than Modernism.
A three-acre landscaped park connects the two condo towers
The two towers are positioned at opposite corners of the complex: one at the corner of Second Avenue and 33rd Street, and the other at the corner of First Avenue and 30th Street. It’s the space in between these towers, however, that most appeals to residents and prospective buyers. “Residents basically have their own private park within the complex,” Cotty shares. “It’s quite large and serene. Plus, the setup fosters a nice, cohesive environment for the community.” London Plane, Weeping Willow and evergreen trees are planted throughout the courtyard, providing plenty of shaded space for residents, and seasonal flower beds often include a rotation of tulips, rose bushes, daffodils and alliums. For casual hangs, residents will find benches, dining tables and chaise lounges throughout the park, while a playground and basketball court are available for recreation.
Inside, several common areas enhance residents’ lifestyle
Renovated in 2018 by Philip Koether Architects, the lobby reflects Pei’s original midcentury design, namely in the gridded, 20-foot-high ceilings and restored concrete walls and columns. Around one of the columns, a marble security desk is staffed 24/7, plus residents have access to management, an on-site superintendent and several porters. Also in 2018, architect Abby Suckle redesigned the multipurpose community room, which now features 17-foot ceilings with exposed, neon green ducts, a full-size kitchen and a wall of glass doors overlooking the courtyard. “Last time I was there, a ton of nannies were using it to play and hang out with the little kids, but people could also use it for work or social events,” Cotty says. “In the [adjacent tower], there’s a decent-sized gym with mirrored walls, free weights, treadmills, a few bikes and other equipment.” Plus, the basements of both buildings have storage and laundry rooms with smart-phone enabled machines. Residents can also pay for laundry drop-off or dry cleaning or take advantage of the condo’s free services like donation drop-offs and same-day grocery delivery.
Over 1,100 units feature large windows and varied finishes
Each tower has roughly 560 units, and, seeing as the condos have been customized by their owners over the span of 40-plus years, the finishes throughout are just as vast. Original units have parquet floors and galley kitchens, but many have been updated and reconfigured. According to Cotty, the one guaranteed feature is I.M. Pei’s “huge windows that let in a good amount of sunlight in every unit.” The inset windows are nearly floor-to-ceiling and feature unique rounded corners. Most units are studios or one-bedrooms, with prices ranging from $580,000 to $698,000 and $660,000 to $975,000, respectively. “Some of the one-bedrooms have so much space that they can be flexed to two-bedrooms,” Cotty says. True two-bedroom residences are typically priced between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, while larger condos, often the result of unit combinations, have sold for upwards of $2.2 million.
A major hospital employs many residents, but parks and dining are farther away
A strip of commercial stores, including an AMC theater, Fairway Market and two banks, are available just outside the condominium along Second Avenue. The busy thoroughfare only has a handful of restaurants, but more casual pubs are available along Third Avenue to the west. The condominium’s most notable neighbor, however, is NYU Langone Health, directly across First Avenue. Many residents head south for better dining and culture. “You’re close to Gramercy [Park] and the Flatiron District, so you get proximity to museums, upscale restaurants and Madison Square Park,” Cotty says. The 6 train is the nearest subway, along Park Avenue at either 28th or 33rd street. Buses and Citi Bike stations are available near the condominium, and pending availability, residents with a car may be able to lease a space from the outdoor parking lots outside of each tower. FDR Drive and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel can both be accessed nearby, as well.
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®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
88/ 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
Vincent F Albano Jr Playground
3 min walk
Playground
Bellevue South Park
5 min walk
Basketball
Dog Park
Volleyball
St. Vartan Park
7 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Football
East River Esplanade - Delancey St
9 min walk
Trails
River
Asser Levy Playground
9 min walk
Peter's Field
11 min walk
Basketball
Multi-Purpose Field
Robert Moses Playground
12 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Trails
Tudor Grove Playground
14 min walk
Playground
Mary O'Connor Playground
14 min walk
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.
