One of Tudor City’s original residential buildings, this landmarked co-op is a time capsule
Tudor City, with its historical reputation and quiet, tree-lined streets, illustrates just how much a place can simultaneously change and stay the same over the span of a century. Developed in the late 1920s, the residential complex on Manhattan’s East Side is regularly referred to as a ‘city within a city.’ Over the years, in order to preserve the neighborhood’s architecture and green space, activists have vehemently (and often successfully) guarded the neighborhood from industrious outsiders, specifically developers. Despite locals’ long-held insular attitude, the area isn’t immune to the greater real estate trends of New York City. Yet Woodstock Tower, the tallest of Tudor City’s original residential buildings, serves as a reminder of the neighborhood’s original form.
The 32-story tower originally marketed itself as an “apartment hotel,” a slightly misleading name considering short-term stays weren’t initially allowed. Instead, the phrase referred to the hotel-like lifestyle that long-term renters could enjoy, such as maid service, valet, laundry service or room service from an on-site restaurant and cafe. Decades later, however, the building was converted, at least partially, to a true hotel, according to Takk Yamaguchi, real estate salesperson at Compass. “At one point, there was a large stairwell inside the entrance that went up to the second floor, which was the lobby of the hotel in the ’60s and ’70s,” Yamaguchi says. “The hotel didn’t exist for much longer because in the ’80s, [Woodstock Tower] converted back to a residential building, this time as a co-op.”
From apartments to hotel rooms to co-ops, units remain the same
In 1980s Manhattan, co-op conversions were incredibly common. But unlike the many buildings that altered floor plans or upgraded finishes during the conversion, units within Woodstock Tower remained virtually unchanged. Unfortunately, the needs of former renters or hotel guests were quite different from those of contemporary homeowners. “To this day, all of the units have kitchenettes,” Yamaguchi shares. “None of the co-op apartments in Tudor City, including those at Woodstock, have full separate kitchens.” A 1929 newspaper ad for the building mentions “a new type of pantry” in each unit — remember, past residents enjoyed room service and an on-site restaurant. Unfortunately for today’s shareholders, the kitchens really are glorified pantries, sometimes without basic appliances like full- or even half-size refrigerators, ovens, stoves or dishwashers. And today, there’s no longer a restaurant or room-service. To help expand these single-wall kitchenettes, owners often add narrow, free-standing islands. There are, however, generously sized closets, a remnant from the renters and travelers who needed space for their steamer trunks, and select residences have East River views.
Super small units come at an approachable price point
Originally, Woodstock Tower only consisted of studios and one-bedroom “suites,” although some owners have combined units, creating a very limited number of two-bedroom residences. “The studios, as a whole, are efficient or what we call ‘charming,’ which, in the real world, means, ‘tiny,’” says Yamaguchi. Interested buyers can expect to pay between $235,00 and $655,000 for a studio ranging between 300 to 525 square feet in size. One-bedroom units, typically priced from $450,000 to $900,000, aren’t much bigger at 325 to 700 square feet. In Yamaguchi’s experience, Woodstock Tower has appealed to two specific sets of buyers: first-time homeowners who want to lock-in an incredibly low price, by city standards, and those buying a second home, who don’t mind the small living quarters considering their transient lifestyle. “At a low purchase price, buyers are able to walk from their building to work,” Yamaguchi says, adding that his clients' jobs tend to be at large corporations, like JPMorgan Chase, KPMG and the like. “Also, Woodstock is a hop-skip commute to Grand Central Station. There are a lot of reverse commuters who want to be in New York City some weekdays and then, on weekends, take the Metro North or Long Island Rail Road back to their primary residence.”
Residents can pay a low fee for the gym or enjoy the free backyard
Very little has changed about the lobby or building facilities since the conversion in the ’80s. “After the conversion, the second-floor parlor level stairs to the hotel lobby were removed and demolished,” Yamaguchi says. “The portion of the lobby without the loft has double-height ceilings and that original Art Deco, prewar style.” Standout features include dark-stained ceiling beams, vintage sconces and a checkerboard terrazzo floor. Although the co-op does not have a doorman, the front desk is attended 24/7. A laundry room and gym are also available on the ground level. “The gym is about 2,000 square feet. It’s pretty standard but just very, very affordable: 40 bucks a month with a six-month minimum contract,” Yamaguchi says. “It’s not an Equinox, but the average gym membership in the area is approximately $150 a month.” The building also has a charming, graveled backyard where residents get together for barbecues and community events.
Two private parks next door, restaurants on Second Avenue and Grand Central nearby
In describing the area, Yamaguchi paints a dual-tone picture where residents enjoy relative peace and privacy despite Midtown’s myriad attractions nearby. “You’re right next to it all in Midtown Manhattan, yet the neighborhood does not have the feel of Midtown East,” he says. “It’s more like the feel of West Village or the Upper West Side. It's got two private parks, lots of trees, lots of greenery. Everything you need is in that neighborhood, except for parking.” Tudor City Greens, a non-profit, maintains and operates the two private parks, located right next door to Woodstock Tower on either side of 42nd Street. Both landmarked parks include playgrounds, gardens and benches, and the United Nations is located just east of the parks. Yamaguchi, who spent over a decade living two blocks north of Woodstock Tower, cites John’s Coffee Shop, a true blue diner with hearty portions, and Amish Market East, a local grocer, as favorites among locals. “The Amish supermarket has their own butcher, seafood, produce and quick-eats in-house.” On the same block as the co-op, the M42 crosstown bus provides quick transport to Grand Central Station. From there, residents may catch the 4, 5, 6, 7 or S trains or take the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North. For those with cars, FDR Drive is accessible one block east.
This large complex has could seem outdated to some
Like many landmarked co-ops, Woodstock has faced challenges when it comes to maintenance and renovations. These difficulties are only exacerbated by the co-op complex’s large size: “It’s currently one of the two largest buildings in the neighborhood with approximately 420 apartments,” Yamaguchi says. “The hallways were lightly renovated in 2021, meaning the walls and ceilings were repainted. It’s the cheapest renovation work that money can afford.” Even with their cool prewar features, other common spaces can feel dated in terms of quality and furnishings. Nevertheless, Yamaguchi points out that this community has existed for a hundred years and they'll continue to do so, taking it all in stride: “They’re going down the bowling lane with little help from the side guards. It will never go into the gutter, but there are always bumps and growing pains.”
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Quantarium
Current List Price
Sold Price
Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
3/ 10
Bikeable
Bike Score®
68/ 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
Tudor Grove Playground
1 min walk
Playground
Mary O'Connor Playground
2 min walk
Ralph Bunche Park
2 min walk
Tudor City Greens
2 min walk
Trails
Events
Botanical Gardens
Tudor City Park North
2 min walk
Robert Moses Playground
2 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Dog Park
Trails
UNICEF Garden
4 min walk
Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza
7 min walk
St. Vartan Park
8 min walk
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Football
Schools
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