Solid 'work horse' condo in prime Midtown East with unique step-backs
Most of the high- and mid-rise towers that went up during Midtown Manhattan’s post-war building boom were erected as cubic monoliths with little structural variation. Incorporating the step-backs — or setbacks — commonly found in the more articulated and ornamental buildings of the prewar era, The Blair House cuts a unique figure among the especially monumental Midtown East colossuses in its midst. This outlier was constructed in 1964 as a rental building with a four-floor retail podium rendered with almost Art Deco-esque curved corners and dark brick cladding. The main lighter-toned masonry block tower rises an additional 15 stories with a matrix of interconnected volumes that eventually take on 45-degree angles to anchor expansive terraces. Though there might not be optimal views here, this architectural strategy ensures that most of the 115 residences get ample amounts of natural light and that there’s an even flow of fresh air filtering in from the nearby East River. “Situated at the confluence of Midtown East, Sutton Place and the Upper East Side, ‘work horse’ condominium The Blair House’s main draw is its location, which makes it’s a value play residence,” says Lisa Larson, a senior broker with Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s an older building so, it doesn’t participate in what I call ‘the amenities armories’ of new developments, but it still offers a full suite of services, including a recently renovated roof deck. It’s ideal for someone who wants to live smack dab in the middle of New York City but doesn’t need all the flash.”
Alcove studios to sprawling three bedrooms with varying degrees of renovation
While predominantly alcove studios, with 550 square feet of space on average, have most recently sold for $625,000, slightly larger true one- and two-bedrooms — the majority of residences here — top out at $1.2 million. Prices largely reflect size and position within the building. B-line residences like 16B — on the market with Larsen for $895,000 in fall 2024 — face the rear of the building and offer its residents tranquility, something that’s hard to come by in this part of town. Three bedrooms, some with terraces, are where that value play can be had. These expansive top-floor, 1,200-square-foot residences are often situated along the structures angled massing and include multiple exposures. The Blair House units rarely come on the market and those that do go up for sale don’t often get listed, instead being quietly sold by agents.
As with any older building, especially one that’s been around for half a century, the level of renovation varies greatly from unit to unit. There’s opportunity for a motivated buyer to create their own statement piece home while taking full advantage of the location. One example of this is architect Thomas Leeser’s decidedly sleek 16F residence. Last sold in early 2024 for $1.2 million, this 1,100-square-foot flex two-bedroom is rendered in a seamless light-toned palette of Corian, European walnut and backlit glass, as well as beveled-edge built-ins that carry across from kitchen cabinetry to the living room entertainment center. Early aughts Space Age Revival-style rings true in this sundrenched home, replete with solarium. One might feel as though they’ve entered the set of late 1990s English Acid Jazz band Jamiroquai’s Virtual Insanity music video while also seeing the need for certain updates. “It’s a condo and, in the world of New York real estate, which is dominated by co-ops, there’s much more freedom to do what you want,” Larson adds. “You can rent out your unit, have it as an investment property or pied-a-terre. You can let your adult children live here without any hassle from the building’s board.” Common charges and real estate taxes are low when compared to other condos in the area.
Sufficient amenities and everything Upper Manhattan has to offer
The Blair House’s main feature is its roof deck. Renovated in summer 2024, the 20th-floor outdoor space has partial views of nearby Central Park and new furnishings. The building also has full-time door attendants, a live-in super, a bike room and a well-equipped laundry room for those residents that haven’t installed in-unit washer/dryers. They’re right in the heart of the action when it comes to premium retail, dining and entertainment. Long established luxury department store Bloomingdale’s is one block away and the many luxury boutiques that line Fifth and Madison avenues aren’t far either. The Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall and the many theaters that make up Broadway are major cultural draws. Further north, Museum Mile is a stretch of Fifth Avenue lined with numerous world class art museums. Upscale restaurants in The Blair House’s immediate vicinity include moody northern Chinese haunt Hutong New York and elevated Sichuanese mainstay Land of Plenty. Canaletto is a quintessential Northern Italian trattoria. There are both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s grocery stores nearby. Central Park’s 843 acres of activity-rich green space unfold with especially rigorous jogging and cycling roads, secluded woodlands, ice-skating rinks and large picnic lawns. There’s even a zoo. For residents that keep cars in nearby garages, getting out of town is easy as the Queensboro bridge is two blocks away.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
80/ 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
Tramway Plaza
4 min walk
Picnic Area
Honey Locust Park
5 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Greenacre Park
7 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
Grand Army Plaza
9 min walk
Sutton Place Park
9 min walk
Trails
Playground
Twenty-Four Sycamores Park
10 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Andrew Haswell Green Park
13 min walk
Bike Trails
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Peter Detmold Park Dog Run
13 min walk
St. Catherine's Park
14 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Soccer
Schools
Source:
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