A full-service, white-brick building next to the U.N. headquarters
Simple lines, rows of windows and setbacks that allow for green space are all hallmarks of New York’s white-brick buildings. The style proliferated throughout Manhattan in the 1950s and 1960s, bringing midcentury modern design to the middle class. The 14-story Continental Condominium, a mid-block residence on East 48th Street in Turtle Bay, is one example of the architecture, providing studios and one-bedroom homes at a lower price than some other types of buildings. “It’s a casual condo that’s just a few blocks from the U.N. and Grand Central Terminal,” says George Shapiro of Douglas Elliman, who has represented owners of several newly renovated units in the building. Built in 1962 and converted to condos in the mid-1980s, the Continental is a full-service building with an attentive staff, the agent adds. Its proximity to the U.N. headquarters gives it an international vibe — several countries’ consulate offices are also in the area, and there’s an array of eateries catering to visiting dignitaries and residents alike.
Many newly renovated studios and one-bedrooms
The majority of the building’s 126 units are studios and one-bedroom homes, Shapiro says. There’s also a smattering of two bedrooms and just a few three-bedroom residences, and residents are a mix of renters and owners. Finishes vary from apartment to apartment, but many have an open living and dining space, hardwood floors, a separate kitchen and metal-framed windows. Ample closet space is also a hallmark of white-brick buildings, although they often have lower ceilings than prewar residences. Ground-floor residences have garden spaces, while units on the 12th and 14th floors have balconies or terraces in the building’s setbacks. Shapiro works with the sponsor, who owns dozens of units within the building, giving them a modern update when they become available. That means stainless steel appliances, oak floors and a neutral color palette. Studios range from about $445,000 to $545,000, while one-bedrooms start at around $519,000, with garden-level one-bedrooms costing around $629,000. A two-bedroom on the 12th floor, with two distinct outdoor spaces, had a price of just over $1 million in the summer of 2024.
Pet-friendly building with 24-hour door attendant
The Continental is a full-service building, with a 24-hour doorman and a live-in super, according to Shapiro. It has a newly renovated laundry room, and storage is available for a monthly fee. The mirrored lobby has a small seating area but is set to be renovated in fall 2024. The elevators have recently been replaced, but some other common areas are tired and need attention. The building is also pet friendly and has a bike room where residents can park their two-wheeled rides for free.
One block from the headquarters of the United Nations
The northern edge of the 18-acre United Nations headquarters is one block away from The Continental. Several countries have consulate offices in the area, including Egypt and Germany, and the larger neighborhood, Turtle Bay, attracts an international crowd. The Japan Society, a cultural center offering films, exhibits and Japanese language classes, is one block away on East 47th Street. Remi Flower and Coffee is on the corner of Second Avenue and East 48th Street, and Italian, Japanese and Greek restaurants, among others, can be found within two blocks of the building. For greenspace, there’s Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza — and the Katharine Hepburn Garden within it — which runs the length of East 47th Street between First and Second avenues. The U.N. campus offers walking paths and public art, plus additional park space, including Freedom Plaza and the Robert Moses Playground and Dog Run. The annual UN General Assembly, which happens in September, is something all residents should mark on their calendars as it’s considered a “gridlock” traffic day by the Department of Transportation and getting around, especially in cars, is difficult with so many dignitaries in town. Residents can also be required to show I.D. just to walk around the area while the annual meeting is in session.
Walkable to Grand Central Terminal
The closest subway station, with E and M train service, is about a 10-minute walk from the building on Lexington Avenue and East 53rd Street. Grand Central Terminal, the famous transit hub with MetroNorth and Long Island Rail Road service — plus the 4, 5 and 6 subways, the 7 train and the shuttle to Times Square — is about a 15-minute walk. Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive is just two blocks from the building, allowing residents quick access to the highway. Getting to LaGuardia Airport in a car takes about 25 minutes in mid-day traffic, while a car trip to John F. Kennedy International Airport takes about an hour around the same time.
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Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
78/ 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
Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
3 min walk
Greenacre Park
5 min walk
Picnic Area
Nature Center
51st St FDR Dog Park
5 min walk
MacArthur Playground
5 min walk
Picnic Area
Playground
Peter Detmold Park
5 min walk
Dog Park
Trails
Peter Detmold Park Dog Run
6 min walk
UNICEF Garden
6 min walk
Ralph Bunche Park
6 min walk
Mary O'Connor Playground
8 min walk
Schools
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