A terracotta and glass condominium that takes its design cues from historic townhouses
Along 49th Street between Second and Third Avenues, a series of historic, Italianate rowhouses that date back to 1860 define this section of Manhattan’s Turtle Bay neighborhood. That’s exactly why putting up an entirely glass-clad condo tower on the same block would not only seem incongruous, but outright wrong. When constructing The Alexander, NYC-based firm Sydness Architects decided to incorporate design cues from the surrounding low-rise buildings to produce a 24-story high-rise that — at first glance, at least — seems like two distinct buildings. The first five stories consist of a red podium to mirror the preserved townhomes next door and include a blend of both retail and terraced condos. Just above that, the rest of the condos are found in a large, cylindrical glass tower, nestled in between two, beige terracotta panels. Completed in 2010, the final result was 88 residences with curved glass curtain walls, but many units have been combined over the years, making today’s total 75 units.
Wendy Lee, an agent with Douglas Elliman, describes The Alexander as a “boutique condo,” adding that it’s “not small enough that, as a buyer, [one would] be concerned if the elevator breaks and there’s only 20 of us to divvy up the bill.” And unlike other condos with 100 or more units — where people are constantly in and out — here, Lee says there’s a sense of community. “This building is intimate and everyone knows everyone,” she says. “You’re not just a number to the doorman. We have people chatting, walking dogs, neighbors [becoming] friends. We share information, we share what’s going on in the neighborhood. Not every building has that.”
One- to four-bedroom units available, some with terraces
Each unit in the upper portion of the tower features curvilinear, floor-to-ceiling windows, stained white oak floors and high-end finishes and appliances from the likes of Poggenpohl, Viking, Miele, Sub-Zero and Bosch. “The biggest coup of the building is some of the units have up to 11-foot ceiling heights, so it feels like you’re in a loft,” Lee says. “You’re not so cramped in whatever square footage you’re in. [The ceilings] make the space so much bigger.” Units in the first five floors have varying layouts and smaller windows, although they’re still oversized. Some, but not all units have private balconies and wrap-around terraces. Most bathrooms have been updated and renovated over the years and include features like gold limestone and custom vanities, white marble or porcelain tiles with large tubs or standing showers. Many second and third bedrooms also have an en suite bathroom, which are often outfitted with Kohler fixtures.
One-bedrooms generally run between $900,000 and $1.1 million for roughly 650 to 1,025 square feet. Two-bedrooms go for anywhere from $1.5 million to $2.2 million for about 1,000 to 1,955 square feet. Three-bedroom units range from $2.7 million to $3.49 million for just over 2,000 square feet. Four-bedrooms typically consist of penthouses and often start at $9.9 million, but many haven’t been on the market since sales first launched in 2008.
A full-service building with a brand-new rooftop terrace
Residents have a 24-hour concierge and full-time doorman, and the lobby was renovated in the last few years to include shiny swirls of thick marble slabs in a gold and brown palette, as well as a small seating area for guests. In addition to the storage and bike rooms, residents can also access a small but efficient gym. The building’s highlight, however, is its rooftop terrace, which offers 360-degree views of Manhattan and the East River. According to Lee, the space was also recently renovated and still in progress. “The roof is not open yet, but hopefully it will reopen sometime in August [2024]. It’s two years in the making,” Lee says. The space will offer seating areas, dining tables, and barbecues.
Located on a fairly quiet block in Manhattan’s Turtle Bay
It’d be hard to discuss Turtle Bay without acknowledging the influence of the nearby United Nations, which brings in diplomats and dignitaries from all over the world. The building is also located just two avenues from FDR Drive, so coming and going out of Manhattan is a bit easier. Grand Central Terminal — serviced by the 4, 5, 6, S and 7 trains, as well as the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad — offers another layer of convenience. For being so close to Midtown, it’s a surprisingly subdued area without huge influxes of tourists, but for a little more reprieve, residents can head to the nearby Greenacre Pocket Park just down the street from the building, which is known for its 25-foot-tall waterfall and honey locust trees. While the neighborhood is not a well-known spot for high-end dining, there are several grocery stores and small markets within walking distance from The Alexander, including Morton Williams, Amish Market East and Japanese grocer Dainobu.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
81/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 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
Greenacre Park
3 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
4 min walk
UNICEF Garden
6 min walk
51st St FDR Dog Park
6 min walk
MacArthur Playground
6 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Peter Detmold Park
6 min walk
Dog Park
Trails
Peter Detmold Park Dog Run
7 min walk
Mary O'Connor Playground
8 min walk
Tudor City Park North
8 min walk
Schools
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