As some NYC apartment buyers turn toward more traditional designs and away from the all-glass "fishbowl" look, masonry-faced buildings are once again making their mark on the skyline. On Manhattan’s East Side, at the bustling cusp of Kips Bay and Murray Hill, construction is wrapping up on 609 Second Avenue, an 18-story condo development by Brooklyn-based Leser Group. Designed by ODA New York in collaboration with Fischer + Makooi Architects, the high-rise presents a ribboned brick facade and a cascade of curved balconies.
After months shrouded in construction netting, the facade was finally unveiled earlier this year, showcasing its interesting exterior of dark-brick spandrels, patinated copper-tone panels, and nearly floor-to-ceiling windows. The standout feature is a dramatic crescendo of deep, curving balconies that grace the southeast corners of the building, adding a sense of movement to the building's rectangular site.
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Inside, 609 Second Avenue offers efficiently sized studio to two-bedroom apartments, plus a collection of full-floor penthouses from floors 15 to 18. Each home is designed with oversized picture windows, high ceilings, and white oak hardwood floors. Kitchens are custom-designed with state-of-the-art Miele appliances, sleek Calacatta marble countertops, white lacquered cabinetry, and rich Alpi wood accents. The bedrooms feature walk-in closets and every unit includes a laundry closet with a top-tier Miele washer and dryer. Many residences also have some form of private outdoor space.
Thanks to adjacent low-rise buildings and nearby mid-century plazas, the majority of units enjoy ample light and air. Upper-floor residences will offer stunning views of the Midtown skyline, with some showcasing the iconic Chrysler Building.
Amenities at 609 Second Avenue include a 24-hour attended lobby, residents' lounge, private storage, a landscaped courtyard garden, a fitness studio, a sky-lit half basketball court, and a rooftop deck complete with an outdoor kitchen.
Developer Abraham Leser, of Brooklyn, purchased the site of 609 Second in 2014 for $26.5 million from art dealer Ely Sakhai. Despite its prime location within walking distance of the subway, major bus lines, the NYC Ferry, and millions of square feet of office and medical spaces, conservative zoning regulations limited the building's size to a modest FAR of 8.29 — yielding a 65-unit, 212-foot-tall tower
Nevertheless, the building joins a mini-boom of new residential developments in the area that have mostly been new rental towers such as The Copper, The Murray, and the in-progress 251 East 39th Street. However, just one block west, Eastlight, a glass-wrapped condominium tower, offers dazzling skyline views and an amenity-rich high-floor suite, with units starting at $855K.
This new crop of buildings makes the most of Kips Bay's proximity to world-class medical institutions, the United Nations, and the vibrant dining and nightlife scenes of Murray Hill, NoMad, and Koreatown. Local grocery options include Trader Joe's and Fairway. Transit options include many bus lines, the 6 train on Park Avenue, and the 34th Street NYC Ferry landing just an avenue away.
609 Second Avenue, #403 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
609 Second Avenue, #1102 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
609 Second Avenue, #PH2 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
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