Views and a prime location at Nomad’s first residential tower
“Sky House was the O.G. It was the original residential tower in NoMad,” according to Nicole Grandelli, an agent at the Harrison Grandelli Team at CORE who recently represented a couple buying in the building. “When it opened in 2008, it was a great option for people who wanted good value in an up-and-coming neighborhood.” Brown Harris Stevens agent Margaret Lacey’s clients — who sold their 33rd-floor residence to Grandelli’s buyers — saw that potential. “They paid $1.8 million for it in 2009, and we got $2.595 million for it,” Lacey says. “So it held its value, and it has appreciated.” The 54-story tower on East 29th Street offers “breathtaking views,” Lacey adds. Indeed, when Sky House first opened, NoMad, an acronym for North of Madison Square Park, was still a bit gritty, and there wasn’t much around the tower, so there were 360-degree views from every exposure. Now, NoMad is one of Manhattan’s most desirable areas — aided by the additional luxury development and hip hotels like the Ace or the James. “The people who bought this apartment are sophisticated, and they only wanted to live in NoMad, but their budget was under $3 million,” Grandelli says. “Views were really important to them. Location was paramount.” Sky House remains a value option, according to Grandelli. Other, newer buildings in the area can cost more than double the price her clients paid per square foot. “You’re in the same area for a lot less,” Grandelli adds.
From nowhere to NoMad
NoMad has become a sought-after destination, with some of Manhattan’s best restaurants within walking distance of Sky House. That includes the upscale Italian restaurant Scarpetta at The James Hotel Nomad across the street or Vatan, serving Gujarati-style Indian food. Chef Daniel Humm’s 11 Madison Park has three Michelin stars and is about six blocks away. For those who prefer to eat at home, there’s a Whole Foods around the corner and mega Italian food court Eataly about six blocks away. “But it’s not somewhere you would visit just for the restaurants,” Lacey says. “People love to live there. It’s a walkable area, but the trains are also right there. Two stops on the 6 train, and you’re at Grand Central, and you can get out of the city.” Madison Square Park, with its curated public art, and The Morgan Library and Museum are also nearby, as well as myriad shops and services.
Updated amenities may bring higher prices
Some newer buildings in NoMad do offer more robust amenities packages, but that adds to the cost. And it’s not quite in the middle of the city, Grandelli notes. “If you have a gym and a playroom and the basics, you can get everything outside,” she says. “The city is the amenity.” That said, Sky House started updating its offerings in the summer of 2024, Lacey says. The children’s playroom is getting an overhaul, and the gym is set to be renovated next. The building’s hallways are also due for an upgrade. “It will look much more sophisticated and bring the building back to the same level as the newer ones,” Lacey notes. “It will probably bring up the prices again.”
Flexible floorplans for changing needs
The unit mix in the building is heavy on smaller units, with two bedrooms being the most common layout. There are also studios, one-bedrooms and a handful of three-bedrooms. When Sky House opened, developers reasoned that there wasn’t a lot of demand for larger units in the neighborhood. However, to leave flexibility for the future, there are several oversized two-bedrooms that could be converted into three-bedrooms, including the residence Grandelli’s clients bought. That unit has not been updated since the building opened, and the new owners “are going to do some work to the apartment, which will add value.” Before they made the nearly $2.6 million deal, the owner had rented the unit for $10,000 a month. In July 2024, a one-bedroom residence on the 32nd floor was on the market for $1.75 million, while a two-bedroom home on the 47th level was asking $3.5 million.
Several subway and bus options
Sky House is about equidistant from the 6 train at East 28th Street and Park Avenue South and the R and W at West 28th Street and Broadway. There are several buses, with crosstown service at West 23rd and West 34th streets. Drivers have quick access to the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive, about a mile and a half east.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Moderate Crime
Crime Score®
6/ 10
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
90/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
100/ 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
Madison Square Park
5 min walk
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Greeley Square Park
7 min walk
Vincent F Albano Jr Playground
8 min walk
Playground
Herald Square
9 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Concessions
Tilden Park
11 min walk
Bellevue South Park
12 min walk
Basketball
Dog Park
Volleyball
Penn South Playground
14 min walk
Basketball
Tennis
Playground
Chelsea Green
15 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Waterpark
Bryant Park
3 min drive
Events
Ice Skating Rink
Schools
Source:
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Disclaimer: Please note that this building may not be in these schools' attendance zones.
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