Manhattan House

Occupying an entire city block, the 490-unit building features five towers radiating off a central “spine.” Its minimalist white exterior, twin porte-cochère entrances and cantilevered terraces reflect the substantial influence of modernist 20th-century Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. An expansive, glass-walled lobby blurs the line between the outdoors and indoors and provides views of the lush interior landscaping. The building’s exterior contains the second-largest private garden in the city (after Gramercy Park), while inside, hallways designed to have higher air pressure prevent cooking smells from spreading. Notable residents have included Grace Kelly, Benny Goodman, Jackie Robinson and even architect Bunshaft, who lived there until his death in 1990. In 2007, the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation designated Manhattan House a New York City Landmark, describing it as “one of the most distinguished examples of housing built in New York City since the Second World War.” A plaque at the building’s base at 66th Street and Third Avenue commemorates the distinction. That same year it received landmark status, Jeremiah O’Connor and N. Richard Kalikow purchased Manhattan House to convert it to condos. The project increased the size of the apartments, added central air conditioning and upgraded the amenity spaces, which were previously seen as liabilities by New York Life Insurance. Oak planks replaced parquet floors, while stainless steel appliances were installed in kitchens and marble finishes added to bathrooms. Developers installed plaster molding to provide an upscale touch. With a price tag of $1.1 billion, it became the most expensive condo conversion in New York City history. It did, however, sell out. Today, Manhattan House is one of many white brick buildings in the city, as close as across the street. But the condo retains its vanguard essence and allure, thanks to its quintessential midcentury design. “People have lived in the building for a long time. They buy within the building — they move from smaller to larger or downsize. There’s a lot of internal movement,” says agent Marko Arsic of Corcoran’s Arsic/Lau Team, who has done business in the building. A recent visit revealed that at least one staff member has a similar fondness for the landmark. When asked if he liked working there, the concierge on duty cheerfully replied, “Twenty-seven years!”

Large living spaces, spacious terraces and updated finishes

Homes at Manhattan House include studios to four-bedroom apartments, with a few larger residences, and a wide variety of layouts. The complex’s reinforced concrete construction enables column-free living rooms as long as 25 feet, and the combination of the towers’ setbacks and terraces provides natural light and double or even triple exposures. New York Life Insurance Company’s purchase of plots of land immediately to the north and south of the building helped preserve views from the building. Despite having ceilings of just 9 feet, units are often described as having the airy feeling of prewar construction. Many units have proper entry foyers and select homes include fireplaces. Apartments include studios to four-bedroom units. Studios can be as large as 556 square feet and list for up to $885,000, and one-bedrooms measuring as much as 1,187 square feet ask up to $2 million. Two- bedrooms up to 1,711 square feet sell for as much as $2.9 million and three-bedrooms measuring up to 3,187 square feet list for up to $5.9 million. Four-bedroom apartments and larger can be as spacious as 4,600 square feet and ask for between $3.7 and $10.9 million.

Full-service with a rooftop lounge and deck, gym and sprawling gardens

Manhattan House is a full-service building with a full-time resident manager, 24-hour door attendants and live-in super. The building also offers valet service. “The service is phenomenal. There’s a doorman on each entrance,” says Arsic. The complex’s street level is uncommon and incredibly convenient, with a porte-cochère entrance on the east and west sides. In addition, 66th Street was widened during the initial construction and subsequently became one of the few, two-way east/west streets in Manhattan. “Getting access to the building with a car is very easy, and there’s a parking garage in the basement of the building. That’s very rare for New York City,” says Arsic. One of the building’s most notable amenities is its acre of landscaped grounds, updated with a design from Sasaki Associates. The green space features winding paths, benches, seasonal plantings and two large abstract sculptures by Hans Van de Bovenkamp. Additional amenities include a recently renovated fitness center and a children’s room designed by Smart D2 Playrooms that features a midcentury modern-inspired playhouse, climbing wall and foam pit. The building’s Manhattan Club and Rooftop Lounge offers panoramic views that include the East River. The lounge space was the site of a two-hour jam session between resident Benny Goodman and the King of Thailand. When not reserved, the outdoor space is a popular spot for sunbathing or relaxing under the deck’s awning.

Central Lenox Hill close to conveniences, hospitals and the East River Esplanade

Manhattan House is located in prime Lenox Hill between Second and Third avenues. There is a Morton Williams grocery store at 64th Street and Third Avenue, and area restaurants include Jackson Hole, Two Boots Pizza and Serena’s Wine Bar. Nearby institutions along the East River include NewYork-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, The Hospital for Special Surgery and The Rockefeller University. Arts venue the Park Avenue Armory is at 66th Street and Lexington Avenue. St. Catherine’s Park, with a playground, athletic courts and spray showers, can be reached in five minutes on foot. The newly updated East River Esplanade and Andrew Haswell Green Park are two blocks away. Several businesses are located in the building including a Lululemon, a Walgreens Pharmacy and medical offices.

Near several train lines and easy access to major highways

Public transit options include the F, N, Q and R trains at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street and the 4 and 6 trains at Lexington and 68th Street. The M66 bus provides connection to points west. The tram to Roosevelt Island departs from Second Avenue and 59th Street. The FDR Drive is three blocks east for travel by car, and the Queensboro Bridge at 59th connects to Queens and Interstates 278 and 495. LaGuardia Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.