How to display and care for your NYC art collection + Listings ideal for art lovers include a penthouse with 9 skylights and 29 closets

By CityRealty Staff | From Get To Know Thursday, May 2, 2024

May 2024 kicked off with a series of exciting art events in New York City, starting with Frieze New York's opening on May 1. Sixty galleries are exhibiting at The Shed, a Hudson Yards building some would consider a design masterpience in its own right. The galleries span 25 countries all over the world, and it attracts a similarly international clientele.

The very next day, the Clio Art Fair (“Clio”) kicked off in the heart of West Chelsea’s world-famous gallery district. While Frieze New York attracts the creme de la creme of galleries and collectors, Clio focuses on independent artists without gallery representation on May 2-5. Further uptown, the Superfine Art Fair is taking place in Times Square on the same dates. Prices from $100 to $3,000 make this art more approachable than the other art fairs, and it is supplemented by live demonstrations and performance art.

Art lovers from all over the world come to the city specifically for these events, but between prestigious auction houses, hip galleries, and art fairs taking place all over the city, New York is an art-lover’s paradise at any time. However, the logistics and realities of displaying a treasured piece in an apartment can have a way of dimming the afterglow of a successful find.

This article explains everything casual collectors and serious art connoisseurs need to know about hanging art in their apartments. Additionally, we take a look at listings with walls expansive enough to proudly display an art collection.

Casual Collectors

One of the biggest challenges for renters is how to hang pictures without putting holes in the walls or otherwise causing damage that would put a security deposit at risk. Owners might have more leeway with putting holes in the walls to hang a painting, but this will nevertheless be something that buyers notice when it’s time to sell.

This is not to say that New Yorkers are doomed to blank walls. Adhesive hangers are a renter’s best friend – they can hold a good portion of weight and come off the wall without leaving residue behind. Masking tape, sticky putty, and washi tape can also be used to hang simple posters (and serve as an imaginative frame in the case of washi tape), but residents should be mindful of how cleanly these materials can be removed (e.g., that they won’t pull up paint or leave residue behind).

Whatever hangers you decide on, pay attention to the weight limits listed on the directions. Not only could this result in damage to a too-heavy piece, but it could also damage the walls and the floor, leading to more damage than a little hole in the wall.

It is also worth noting that walls are not the only place to display art. Lifestyle blogs suggest that if you have the square footage for it, using an easel to display a piece of art would turn into the focal point of a room. Additionally, if you have a decorative fireplace, the mantle serves as a natural frame.

Serious Collectors

Before the 847-foot-tall Sutton Tower took shape, a nearly 1,000-foot-tall tower designed by Foster + Partners was rumored. Upon hearing the news, an art collector living in The Sovereign, a nearby cooperative, lamented that it would block out the light that illuminates one of her Picassos.

It reads almost as a parody of wealthy New Yorkers, but lighting does need to be taken into account where a high-quality art collection is concerned. It has a significant influence on where to hang a work of art for the best effect during the day. But when the sun goes down, the right lighting can make or break a painting. Some opt for picture lights that attach to the frame; others, however, opt to install track lighting or recessed lights to illuminate a series of works, if they have not expressly bought an apartment with this feature. Whatever lighting you choose, LED bulbs are less damaging to art than UV bulbs or halogen lights.

The potential for UV ray damage means art should be kept out of direct sunlight – note the placement of this art collection in a Union Square loft. This is easier said than done with the city’s new crop of all-glass buildings, but the right frames can protect the art from damage. This can mean thinking beyond frames purchased at Target or the nearest art supply store and sending the piece to a professional with museum glass and Plexiglass at their disposal.

Light is not the only way a work of art can be damaged; temperature extremes can also be highly detrimental to valuable art. Indoor temperatures should be kept within a 20-degree Fahrenheit range to avoid damage, and museum standard temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is where central heating and air conditioning, if not smart thermostats, can come in handy.

This is enough for some art collectors, but others are prepared to take this further by using humidifiers in winter and air conditioning in summer to keep humidity levels at the stable environment of 40-60% relative humidity that is best for artwork. To further keep humidity damage at bay, hang your pictures away from water pipes, heaters, and heating and cooling vents. They should also be hung away from windows, the better to avoid damage from sudden downpours.

Listings for Art Lovers

The Beaux Art, #4C
$689,000

Broadway Corridor | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

The Beaux Art, #4C (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Spectacular one-bedroom home in a boutique brownstone co-op with a stunning planted roof deck on one of the Upper West Side's most magnificent blocks, 82nd St and Columbus. Step off the elevator, enter the gracious foyer and immediately feel the prewar charm in every detail of Apartment 4C. This quiet and peaceful residence features high ceilings, designer light fixtures, gorgeous molding, and large windows in every room. See floor plan and full details here.

Park Avenue Court, #R20J
$750,000

Carnegie Hill | Condominium | Studio, 1 Bath | 525 ft²

Park Avenue Court, #R20J (Compass)

From the Listing: Soaring loft-like proportions and wide-open west-facing views fill this exceptional studio home, beautifully located in an amenity-rich, full-service building featuring a pool and courtyards in the heart of Carnegie Hill. Inside this bright and airy high-floor sanctuary, ceilings rise 14 feet high over hardwood floors and expansive walls, perfect for your prized art collection. See floor plan and full details here.

50 Sutton Place South, #9L
$789,000 (-21%)

Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

50 Sutton Place South, #9L (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Large 2 BR/ 2 Baths - Convertible to 3 Bedrooms - Right ON SUTTON PLACE. PRICED TO SELL. Enjoy multiple exposures (East, South and North), and experience morning sun in your living room and afternoon sun in your bedrooms. View the East River from your living room, see boats by day and the city lit up at night. Entertain in a spacious living room with plenty of wall space for your art collection and large-screen TV. See floor plan and full details here.

The Gramercy House, #4L
$899,000

Gramercy Park | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

The Gramercy House, #4L (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Welcome to this beautifully renovated prewar one-bedroom home at the renowned Gramercy House. This elegant corner apartment features hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, SIX large closets and natural sunlight throughout the day. Residence 4L is approximately 1,000 +/- square feet with a separate dining room which can be used as an office, nursery or guest bedroom.The coveted L-line is one of the largest one bedroom layouts in the building. See floor plan and full details here.

405 West 21st Street, #4F
$995,000

Chelsea | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath

405 West 21st Street, #4F (Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty)

From the Listing: Skylit One Bedroom on Landmark Block in West Chelsea - Located on one of the “Top Ten Rated Townhouse Blocks in Manhattan,” this exquisite south-facing, top-floor one bedroom apartment is perfect for the art collector, design enthusiast, or to make your own. Designed by acclaimed architect Steven Holl, and preserved in its original architectural detail, the home features an innovative, “secret” revolving Poetry and Art bookshelf wall, maximizing perspective and privacy. The harmonious, Yin and Yang, black and white design integrates solid oak floors with white brick walls. See floor plan and full details here.

924 Lafayette Avenue, #2
$1,100,000

Bedford-Stuyvesant | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,115 ft²

924 Lafayette Avenue, #2 (Serhant LLC)

From the Listing: Welcome to 924 Lafayette Avenue, the premier new development condominium in Stuyvesant Heights. Thoughtfully designed with attention to detail throughout, this building offers 4 unique and expansive units. Each floor-through design provides an open format that utilizes clean lines and floor-to-ceiling windows that draw in both northern and southern sunlight. Luxury finishes include engineered Maple floors, oversized, energy-efficient windows, and an innovative modular lighting system that allows for personalization. See floor plan and full details here.

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785 Park Avenue, #4C
$1,495,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

785 Park Avenue, #4C (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Residence 4C boasts grand proportions and a graceful layout, with soaring ceilings, classic moldings, gleaming hardwood floors, plenty of great art walls, built-in through-wall air conditioning, and with both the living room and the primary bedroom offering coveted west-facing Park Avenue foliage views. See floor plan and full details here.

167 East 67th Street, #20D
$1,589,000

Lenox Hill | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths

167 East 67th Street, #20D (Keller Williams NYC)

From the Listing: If you are looking for an apartment that truly feels like home on the Upper East Side, look no further! Sophisticated and upscale, this duplex might be one of the most enticing two-bedrooms on the Upper East Side. 20D offers a gracious, open, and contemporary layout, exuding a dramatic and stylish ambiance that will set the backdrop for memorable gatherings of family and friends. Spectacular, high-floor city views by day and night are provided by west-facing windows. See floor plan and full details here.

20 Sutton Place South, #8C
$1,650,000

Beekman/Sutton Place | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

20 Sutton Place South, #8C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: GARAGE INCLUDED! Welcome to this simply stunning renovated home at 20 Sutton Place South! A rare opportunity to have all that you desire in a perfect 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Sutton Place home with a washer dryer, storage and a garage space included. See floor plan and full details here.

129 East 69th Street, #5C
$2,795,000 (-6.7%)

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

129 East 69th Street, #5C (Compass)

From the Listing: Welcome to this sun-drenched, incredibly chic 7-room prewar home/ The welcoming marble foyer is flanked by the formal living and dining rooms. The graciously proportioned living room - with two large windows facing east - overlooks Lexington Avenue and has a wood-burning fireplace with custom built-in bookcases on either side. The oversized formal dining room faces north and has townhouse garden views. The space is large enough to easily accommodate a table of 10 or could be used as a combination dining room and den. The residence’s living spaces and versatile layout allows for elegant entertaining and easy everyday living. See floor plan and full details here.

The Woodbury, #2E
$1,750,000

Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths

The Woodbury, #2E (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Offered for the first time in nearly 50 years, this Classic Seven is sun-filled and offers a prime Carnegie Hill address. The home's views are tree-lined, sky-filled, and architecturally significant. Located on East 95th between Fifth and Madison, The Woodbury is next to Central Park, Museum Mile, and many other local attractions. The home opens to a nearly 25' long gallery hall perfect for displaying art. Graced with 9'7" ceilings and adorned with prewar details, this home feels airy and elegant. The incredible layout gives you many options; you can restore and maintain the prewar charm and separated spaces, or open the living space to create a large living/dining area with an open kitchen.This one-of-a-kind home is ready for your love, imagination, and contractor. See floor plan and full details here.

M127, #2A
$1,850,000

Murray Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,550 ft²

M127, #2A (Compass)

From the Listing: Expansive Full-Floor, 1,550 SF 2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom loft with a private keyed elevator in the heart of NoMad with the Lowest monthlies in the neighborhood! This light-filled contemporary 20-foot wide great room offers a serene view of tree-lined Madison Avenue and the beautiful, landmarked American Academy of Dramatic Arts building and was Designed by renowned SHoP Architects. See floor plan and full details here.

Museum Tower, #37E
$1,900,000 (-11.6%)

Midtown West | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 2 Baths | 1,187 ft²

Museum Tower, #37E (Christies International Real Estate Group LLC)

From the Listing: Overflowing with chic and clever design, this oversize 1-bedroom corner condo offers prime views of Central Park, the skyline, and Manhattan’s glittering evening lights. Located in one of Midtown’s most coveted luxury buildings right above the Museum of Modern Art, Museum Tower offers a unique blend of white glove service, first-class amenities, and an exclusive collection of artwork for the ultimate lifestyle intertwined with and inspired by the finest art. See floor plan and full details here.

315 East 52nd Street, #DUPLEX
$1,925,000 (-8.1%)

Midtown East | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,000 ft²

315 East 52nd Street, #DUPLEX (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Boutique townhouse Living: Once in a blue moon the confluence of style, space, and location magically appears. This 3-bedroom 3 bathroom duplex, currently configured as a 2-bedroom 2.5 bath with full-size in-unit laundry could easily accommodate 4 or even 5 bedrooms, and features high ceilings, 4 wood-burning fireplaces, hardwood floors and excellent light in an Italianate townhouse with the feel of a private mansion. See floor plan and full details here.

181 Jackson Street, #PH
$2,400,000 (-3.8%)

Williamsburg | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,436 ft²

181 Jackson Street, #PH (Serhant LLC)

From the Listing: Welcome to 181 Jackson, a luxury, new development in one of Brooklyn's most vibrant and sought-after neighborhoods. This boutique elevator building offers four exclusive units, with distinctive style and flair. From the moment you exit your secure, keyed elevator that opens directly into your unit, you will be amazed by the spaciousness and elegance of your new home. The 9" white oak flooring adds a touch of cool sophistication to every room. The layout of the building utilizes its 25-foot width to create a sense of airiness and flow. See floor plan and full details here.

Turtle Bay Towers, #20EF
$2,675,000 (-2.7%)

Turtle Bay/United Nations | Condop | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Turtle Bay Towers, #20EF (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: "Halston Chic“ comes to mind for this sprawling three-bedroom three bath residence with a home office. Architecture and art work seamlessly as one with a minimalist approach capturing the essence of 70’s glamour in this residence on the 20th floor. Sleek lines, and soaring ceilings; no detail was spared in the renovation of this spectacular home. A showcase space for the collector. See floor plan and full details here.

700 Park Avenue, #10C
$2,750,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,300 ft²

700 Park Avenue, #10C (Stephen P Wald Real Estate Associates Inc)

From the Listing: Designed by the legendary, Mid-Century interior and furniture designer, Ward Bennett, this fabulous Classic 6 (plus additional service room with en suite bath) will touch the soul of your design sensibility. This home is replete with the luxury of Pre War style amenities including oversized rooms with magnificent New York Skyline and East 69th St Limestone Mansion Views, high ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and a show-stopping Greenhouse like, enclosed sitting room, all paired with the unique design sense of the early 1960s. This home was designed by Mr.Bennett to house the art collection of one of New York's most well-known art collectors. See floor plan and full details here.

The Raleigh, #MAISC
$2,795,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

The Raleigh, #MAISC (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: This architecturally distinctive, one-of-a-kind residence is ideal for art collectors or avid entertainers, offering a functional layout filled with prewar details, and featuring 7.5 rooms with 3-4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, separate dining, and a primary bedroom suite with separate sitting room or home office, located in a prestigious Park Avenue full-service building on prime Upper East Side. See floor plan and full details here.

136 East 76th Street, #6B
$2,799,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,120 ft²

136 East 76th Street, #6B (Compass)

From the Listing: Fully renovated, 4-bedroom + home office (currently 3-bed + home office with double living room), 3-bath home in a superb location. Enter the gallery/foyer and be transported to a modern zen sanctuary…a built-in bench, separate shoe and coat closets, and substantial wall space for your art collection. The gallery leads to an expansive living/dining area that affords many seating arrangements...including a built-in banquette for the dining room. The windowed, gourmet kitchen with a large pantry is ideal for dinner for 2 or 12. See floor plan and full details here.

Public School 9 Annex, #4A
$3,250,000

Prospect Heights | Cooperative | 2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths | 3,100 ft²

Public School 9 Annex, #4A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: One-of-a-kind.....Don't miss this awesome Penthouse Loft offered for the First Time since 1989. Unit 4A is a fabulous open and airy space with a total of over 3000 square feet. all sun-splashed by its huge north-facing windows and 9 skylights. This home features 2 Terraces, 2 Wood Burning Fireplaces, Panoramic Views, and vaulted-ceilings which soar to 14'. It has a flexible floor plan, with multiple sleeping and working areas, 1.5 baths, Laundry Room, and tons of Storage including 29 closets. See floor plan and full details here.

25 Beekman Place, #4
$3,250,000 (-7.1%)

Beekman/Sutton Place | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 2,190 ft²

25 Beekman Place, #4 (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Welcome home to 25 Beekman Place. Located within the quaint enclave between East 50th and 51st Street, apartment 4 carries an elegant and intimate ambiance unique to Manhattan living. As soon as you exit the elevator and onto your private landing, you will immediately be overcome by the architectural detail encompassing this 2 bedroom / 2.5 bath home.\ See floor plan and full details here.

The 74, #10B
$3,380,000

Lenox Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,522 ft²

The 74, #10B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: With interiors curated by design superstar Rafael de Cardenas, spaces are defined by sculptural neutrals, creating a clean and crisp atmosphere that's the discerning collector's ultimate choice. Residence 10B is a half-floor 1,522 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, and east and west exposures. See floor plan and full details here.

Fifteen Hudson Yards, #35D
$3,850,000

Midtown West | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,563 ft²

Fifteen Hudson Yards, #35D (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Take advantage of this unique opportunity to purchase this luxurious resale unit (no transfer taxes) with tons of upgrades (including window treatments, lighting upgrades, custom closets, customized bathroom hardware, and glass shower enclosure in the second bath) at an incredible price. Not only is the purchase price incredible, but the low-low monthlies due to the 20-year tax abatement make this a winner and checks all the boxes! See floor plan and full details here.

Selene, #6C
$6,750,000

Midtown East | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 4,607 ft²

Selene, #6C (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

From the Listing: The meticulously refined residences reflect a level of craftsmanship rarely evidenced in new developments. Located between Lexington and Park Avenues, Selene is adjacent to the iconic Seagram Building and at the epicenter of luxury couture ateliers, Midtown's famed culinary destinations, and high-end residential towers.

Enter through a set of stately oak doors into Residence 6C, an extravagant 4,607 SF two primary bedrooms plus study, three-and-a-half bath, (convertible three bedroom plus study) part of a limited Modern Loft Collection of gallery-like residences sited in the podium of the building. This unique home showcases architectural concrete finishes with generous space for art, while maximizing city views with floor-to-ceiling windows; a rare opportunity for a Downtown loft lifestyle in Midtown. See floor plan and full details here.

180 East 88th Street, #44
$14,850,000

Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,017 ft²

180 East 88th Street, #44 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

From the Listing: Residence 44 captures cinematic views from a 403' elevation. Oversized windows encapsulate the iconic scenery spanning from Central Park and beyond the Midtown skyline to the East River and beyond the mountains of New Jersey. Pre-war style inspired detailing has been refreshed to meet modern luxury expectations, including a formal elliptical private entry gallery with coved ceilings and custom plaster wainscoting complimented by 7.5-inch wide Austrian white oak flooring and expansive tall tilt & turn Albertini Italian windows. See floor plan and full details here.

53 West 53, #51A
$15,750,000

Midtown West | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,929 ft²

53 West 53, #51A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Combining superb sophistication and craftsmanship with the intimate feeling of home, Residence 51A at 53 West 53 comprises 3,929 square feet, offering four bedrooms and a windowed study, four-and-a-half bathrooms, and north- and east-facing exposures. Gracious proportions and ceilings ranging up to approximately 11 feet set the awe-inspiring stage for world-renowned designer Thierry Despont to craft residences with many custom elements typically reserved for privately commissioned homes. These museum-quality finishes coalesce with expressive architecture by Pritzker Prize-winner Jean Nouvel to create singular spaces of unsurpassed grandeur and elegance in both scale and proportion. See floor plan and full details here.

Selene, #10A
$19,000,000

Midtown East | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 6,646 ft²

Selene, #10A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

From the Listing: Residence 10A at Selene New York is a one-of-a-kind 6,646 SF four-bedroom and four-and-a-half-bathroom home spanning two full-floors, offering exceptional scale with its floor-to-ceiling windows and 11" ceilings. This remarkable home also features an extravagant 5,272 SF terrace with open views to some of the most iconic buildings in Midtown and is the largest private residential terrace currently on the market below 59th Street. The private elevator landing leads to a grand entrance gallery with double-height ceilings and a sculptural staircase that looks out to the private terrace. A generous corner great room and separate living/dining room both lead out to the terrace through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, providing a perfect atmosphere for indoor/outdoor entertaining. See floor plan and full details here.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?

This is your member's center

In this article:

Casual Collectors

Serious Collectors

Listings for Art Lovers

The Beaux Art, #4C
$689,000

Park Avenue Court, #R20J
$750,000

50 Sutton Place South, #9L
$789,000 (-21%)

The Gramercy House, #4L
$899,000

405 West 21st Street, #4F
$995,000

924 Lafayette Avenue, #2
$1,100,000

Select which properties are of interest to you:

785 Park Avenue, #4C
$1,495,000

167 East 67th Street, #20D
$1,589,000

20 Sutton Place South, #8C
$1,650,000

129 East 69th Street, #5C
$2,795,000 (-6.7%)

The Woodbury, #2E
$1,750,000

M127, #2A
$1,850,000

Museum Tower, #37E
$1,900,000 (-11.6%)

315 East 52nd Street, #DUPLEX
$1,925,000 (-8.1%)

181 Jackson Street, #PH
$2,400,000 (-3.8%)

Turtle Bay Towers, #20EF
$2,675,000 (-2.7%)

700 Park Avenue, #10C
$2,750,000

The Raleigh, #MAISC
$2,795,000

136 East 76th Street, #6B
$2,799,000

Public School 9 Annex, #4A
$3,250,000

25 Beekman Place, #4
$3,250,000 (-7.1%)

The 74, #10B
$3,380,000

Fifteen Hudson Yards, #35D
$3,850,000

Selene, #6C
$6,750,000

180 East 88th Street, #44
$14,850,000

53 West 53, #51A
$15,750,000

Selene, #10A
$19,000,000

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In this article:

Casual Collectors

Serious Collectors

Listings for Art Lovers

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Select which properties are of interest to you:

Listings in this article

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