Top 10 High-Rise Condos on Third Avenue, Upper East Side
Third Avenue marks the geographic center of the Upper East Side and offers all of the neighborhood’s perks within a short walk. Some of the area’s tallest buildings rise next to low-rise pre-war apartment buildings. Upscale shopping and dining sits next to delis and bodegas. Central Park and the East River waterfront both lie within a few blocks in either direction. The Q and 4/5/6 trains run a block away on Second and Lexington avenues, respectively. Every building on the CityRealty list of the best high-rise condos on the Upper East Side’s Third Avenue offers a quintessential urban lifestyle in one of New York’s most beloved neighborhoods.
#1 - 180 East 88th Street
The 524-foot skyscraper at 180 East 88th Street ranks among the tallest buildings on the Upper East Side and features a façade clad in custom Danish Kolumba brick, a vaulted lobby, artistic plaster molding and murals in the common areas, a fitness center with a basketball half-court, full- and half-floor apartments with 14-foot ceilings, and an arched penthouse terrace with views of Central Park, the East River, and the Midtown skyline.
#2 - 200 East 79th Street
The 19-story, traditionally styled condo at 200 East 79th Street fits within its pre-war context and adds perks such as broad windows, modern layouts, and amenities like a resident lounge, fitness center, and a garden.
#3 - The Chatham, 181 East 65th Street
The signature classicist touch of architect and historian Robert A. M. Stern is evident throughout the 34-story high-rise, from the stone-clad, keystone-capped arches and dentil course at the lower floors, to the setback and quoins at the ornate pinnacle. Stern, former Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, resides himself within the edifice that features a foyer clad in pink and beige marble, a full-time doorman, valet parking, and ample views of Central Park and the Midtown skyline from the upper floors.
#4 - The Empire, 188 East 78th Street
The Empire’s steep mansard roof looms 32 stories above the intersection of Third Avenue and East 78th Street, near the meeting point of the Upper East Side’s three primary neighborhoods - Lenox Hill, Yorkville, and Carnegie Hill. Ample bay windows, balconies, and terraces provide plentiful sunshine and fresh air, while the elevated fitness center lets treadmill runners engage in people-watching on the street from the comfort of the air-conditioned indoors.
#5 - The Kent, 200 East 95th Street
The Kent’s brick facade rises to a finial-lined rooftop that evokes classic Gotham. Classicism, Art Deco, and modernism merge in the ornamented lobby, 55-foot indoor pool, and lounge. A children’s playroom, music practice room, and film screening room provide entertainment for all ages. Large mullioned windows let in ample sunlight and showcase grand views. Stone finishes feature generously throughout kitchens and bathrooms.
#6 - The Siena, 188 East 76th Street
The Siena’s understated yet robust facade of niches, bay windows, and castle-like turrets at the top succeeds not only at the exterior, which ranks among the Upper East Side’s most elegant post-war designs, but also inside, where it creates unique layouts and bay windows in nearly every unit. A marble-floored and wood-trimmed lobby channels classic Upper East Side sophistication. Upstairs, parents can enjoy the outdoor terrace while watching through the large windows as the kids play in the ballpit-equipped play area inside.
#7 - Trump Palace, 200 East 69th Street
The 55-story condo at 200 East 69th Street has reigned as the Upper East Side’s tallest building for nearly two decades. The ribbed, Art Deco-inspired pinnacle continues to maintain a commanding presence over the Lenox Hill skyline, while the Central Park and skyline views from the spacious balconies are as splendid as ever. Personal outdoor space is available even in ground-floor units, where small, private rear yards look out onto the spacious green courtyard.
#8 - The Brompton, 205 East 85th Street
Architect Robert A. M. Stern’s predilection for pre-war opulence is evident in the brick facade, delicate stone trim, large mullioned windows, and wood-paneled foyer that looks upon a colonnaded, Renaissance-style courtyard. By contrast, modern condo offerings manifest in an amenity package that includes a fitness center, children’s playroom, event space, and a roof deck.
#9 - The Metropolitan, 181 East 90th Street
Philip Johnson, one of the most prolific and influential architects of the 20th century, combines the curvy, streamlined moderne aesthetic with High Modern minimalism at the 32-story tower at Third Avenue and East 90th Street. Continuous window bands maximize sunlight in every room, while the penthouse features a nearly 1,000-square-foot open-air terrace that overlooks Central Park.
#10 - Manhattan House, 200 East 66th Street
Architect Gordon Bunshaft’s modernist design at the 1951 Manhattan House has proven sufficiently refined and influential to garner the building a designation as an official New York City Landmark, a rare honor for a post-war building. The modern classic offers timeless perks such as spacious gardens with contemporary sculpture set amid lush lawns and tree-lined alcoves, plenty of indoor common areas and amenities, amply sized balconies, and penthouse terraces that span over 100 feet in length.
Many apartments are sold off-market
without being publicly listed.
Contact us to learn more about off-market listings. It's quick and easy. And never any obligations.
6sqft delivers the latest on real estate, architecture, and design, straight from New York City.
