A former Upper East Side women’s private school turned prestigious co-op
Given New York City’s density and layered past, historic buildings have often served different functions over time. Case in point: The Finch, a stately but not overly grand prewar co-op in the prime Metropolitan Hill pocket of the Upper East Side that once served as a prestigious women’s private school. According to historian Carter Horsley, Finch College counted Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, Whitneys and even Isabella Rossellini among its alumni. The somewhat quaint but especially ornamented Greek Revival midblock structure—constructed in 1920—was converted into a co-op in 1984. It received historic status from the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission shortly before. “The red-brick building has a very robust facade that is distinguished by very broad arched windows on the seventh floor with stained glass,” Horsley said. “The building has a tall and spiked wrought-iron fence with tall stanchions and a limestone entrance surrounded by garlands.”
Today, the seemingly unassuming but particularly luxurious and old-world-charm 11-story building only contains 51 units; many of which are sold quietly by agents rather than being publicly listed. The decidedly compact layout and state of renovation of these residences vary greatly. The Finch provides sufficient amenities including part-time door attendants, a video intercom system, a live-in super and a well-equipped laundry room. Regardless of its age, the building does incorporate a relatively new elevator. The main draw is, unquestionably, the surrounding area: bustling Madison Avenue and its many premium boutiques, several long-established blue chip art galleries, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the 843-acres of activity rich green space that make up Central Park, just a block away in one direction. In the other, residents have easy access to the 77th Street subway station, served by the local6 line.
High ceiling homes with quality prewar details and varying degrees of renovation
While a handful of standard-size studios—many of which have beamed ceilings, hardwood parquet floors and surprisingly large windows—sell for around $550,000, combined two bedrooms with multiple exposures range from 925 to 1,500 square feet of space and average out at $1.2 million. In between, one bedrooms—the majority of the units here—sell for upwards of $830,000, depending on condition and position in the co-op. As with any older building, the state of renovation, finishes and appliances vary greatly from unit to unit given alterations made by previous owners. Recent updates do have a slight impact on price. Layouts are also not consistent across the property. Take Penthouse 9/10D, a 1,000-square-foot unit that’s actually a duplex which sold for $570,000 in summer 2021. On the market in fall 2024 with Douglas Elliman agent Jodie Lazar for $560,000, studio unit 6E has an especially long entrance hallway lined with ample closet space. The Finch’s co-op board does allow for residences to be utilized as pieds-a-terre and sublets are permitted on a case-by-case basis.
The perks of Metropolitan Hill and Upper East Side living
The biggest advantage of living here is proximity to much of Metropolitan Hill and the Upper East Side’s main attractions. The Finch is centrally located when it comes to the vast array of art museums and galleries that make up Museum Mile. These include the Met, the Frick Collection and the Neue Galerie. Other cultural destinations include the Asia Society and Museum and the Park Avenue Armory, which plays host to a robust program of art fairs, special performances, and installations throughout the year. The traditional core of art galleries before Chelsea and now Tribeca became major hubs for these storefronts, Madison Avenue is still home to several long-established platforms like Gagosian and Lévy Gorvy Dayan. Upscale, locally beloved Italian trattoria Saint Ambroeus Madison is right around the corner. Not far either, Kappo Masa is a prestigious Japanese restaurant helmed by acclaimed sushi chef Masa Takayama. Madison and Lexington avenues abound with go-to dining spots as well as luxury and big box stores. Bemelmans Bar at the close by Carlyle Hotel is an institution unto itself. Lenox Hill Hospital is right around the corner.
Quick connections out of town
East 77th Street, the tree-lined stretch on which The Finch is situated, leads directly into Central Park’s James Michael Levin Playground, the Conservatory Water pond famous for its model boat sailing and the Central Park Boathouse a bit further in. The especially rigorous 6.1-mile cycling and running loop road, wrapping the park, is easily accessible as is the jogging path that lines the reservoir. For residents who usually head out of town for the weekend, the Queensboro Bridge connects through to 59th Street. There’s also an onramp to the FDR highway at East 63rd Street. The 79th Street Transverse cuts across the park to the Upper West Side and the Henry Hudson Parkway.
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
2/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
97/ 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
Central Park
5 min walk
Ancient Playground
10 min walk
Great Lawn
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Trails
Events
John Jay Park
14 min walk
Basketball
Picnic Area
Pool
Grand Army Plaza
3 min drive
Abraham and Joseph Spector Playground
3 min drive
Playground
Theodore Roosevelt Park
3 min drive
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Ruppert Park
4 min drive
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Samuel Seabury Playground
4 min drive
Basketball
Playground
Events
Schools
Source:
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