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Living in one of New York City's historic districts offers more than just a connection to the city's storied past; it can also be a sound financial investment. Homes in these landmarked areas often enjoy higher property values and greater resilience during economic downturns.
However, blending the charm of the past with modern amenities comes with its own set of challenges. Any new developments or renovations in these neighborhoods must receive approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. But once approved, owners of these historic properties may benefit from tax credits, making the investment even more appealing. Moreover, since new development is often heavily restricted in these areas—both for better and for worse—the light and air surrounding a unit are generally better preserved than in neighborhoods outside a historic district.

Below, we highlight two dozen active sale listings with upcoming open houses located in some of the city's most beautiful historic districts. Among them is a triplex penthouse in Tribeca up for auction with bidding set to begin on August 23, 2024. While the spread is currently listed for $8.65M, bids are expected to start between $3M-$5.5M.

In this article:

929 Park Avenue
929 Park Avenue Carnegie Hill
The Abbey, 166 East 96th Street
The Abbey, 166 East 96th Street Carnegie Hill
1199 Park Avenue
1199 Park Avenue Carnegie Hill
2 Grace Court
2 Grace Court Brooklyn Heights
81 Columbia Heights
81 Columbia Heights Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights Historic District
Douglas Elliman Real Estate Brooklyn Heights (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Brooklyn Heights Historic District holds the distinction of being the first neighborhood in New York City to receive full protection under the Landmarks Preservation Law, established in 1965. Otis Pratt Pearsall, co-chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission of the Brooklyn Heights Association, eloquently captured its essence, stating, “The charming old buildings, nestled along irregular streets with unexpected vistas, exude the character and spirit of Old New York—something no single landmark alone could ever convey.”

81 Columbia Heights, #10 (Serhant LLC)

2 Grace Court, #3ST (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Tribeca West Historic District
Before Tribeca acquired its trendy name, it was known as Washington Market, New York’s primary food market. This industrial area was home to some of the city's earliest cast-iron buildings, along with warehouses and lofts in Italianate and Romanesque Revival styles. The Tribeca West Historic District was the first to be designated in 1991, followed by Tribeca North, South, and East as historic districts just over a year later.

57 Laight Street, #3 (Compass)

79 White Street, #4E (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

459 Washington Street, #PH7S (Serhant LLC)

11 Vestry Street, #PH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

Carnegie Hill-Upper East Side Historic District
The Upper East Side is a showcase of New York City's architectural history. On its side streets, you'll find Italianate and Greek Revival brownstones, while luxurious single-family mansions grace the area and line Central Park. The neighborhood also became home to some of the city's earliest luxury multi-family buildings, including designs by renowned architects J.E.R. Carpenter and Rosario Candela. This rich blend of architectural styles played a key role in the designation of the Upper East Side Historic District in 1981.

123 East 75th Street, #9D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

The Abbey, #1A (Compass)

929 Park Avenue, #1A (Serhant LLC)

1199 Park Avenue, #9G (Serhant LLC)

Upper West Side-Central Park West Historic District
Central Park West may be home to some of the city's most striking architecture, but it's important not to overlook the French flats and rowhouses that line the side streets—they were here first and are equally captivating. The grand churches and museums along the park, designed in similar architectural styles, also fall under Landmarks' protection. Designated as a historic district in 1990, this neighborhood is additionally recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

66 West 84th Street, #5D (CORE Group Marketing LLC)

The Oliver Cromwell, #4H (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

65 West 95th Street, #4C (R New York)

444 Central Park West, #6H (Coldwell Banker Warburg)

407 Central Park West, #PHB (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

455 Central Park West, #11 (Compass)

The Ardsley, #18B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
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South Street Seaport Historic District
As the South Street Seaport rebounds from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, its revitalization preserves the historic brick buildings that date back to the mid-18th century. Long before it became a tourist destination, the Seaport was one of the nation's leading ports, playing a crucial role in New York City's shipping trade. The 1977 designation report notes, “the South Street Seaport Historic District serves as an important reminder of the early commercial development and history of New York City.”

Seaport South, #3B (Corcoran Group)

Greenwich Village Historic District
Of all the Historic Districts in New York City, Greenwich Village stands above the rest. This distinction is due to the exceptional quality of its architecture, the vibrant artistic life within its boundaries, and the profound sense of history that permeates its streets.” This is the sentiment expressed in the 1965 designation report, which established the Greenwich Village Historic District, stretching from St. Luke’s Place to 13th Street. The area is renowned for its free-standing mansions and rowhouses, showcasing a unique array of architectural styles found nowhere else in New York.

119 Waverly Place, #34 (Compass)

Snug Harbor, #A104 (Corcoran Group)

53 West 11th Street, #4W (Corcoran Group)

Gramercy Park Historic District
Few neighborhoods in the city are as well-protected as the streets surrounding Gramercy Park. This green space, the only private park in New York City, is accessible exclusively to keyholders. The Italianate, Greek Revival, and Gothic Revival-style houses lining the park are encompassed within the Gramercy Park Historic District. A 1921 publication noted, “The laying out of Gramercy Park represents one of the earliest attempts in this country of ‘City Planning,’” and the area was officially designated as a historic district in 1966.

Gramercy Spire, #18A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

158 East 22nd Street, #5 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Ladies Mile Historic District
From the mid-19th to early 20th century, a stretch of what is now known as Chelsea or the Flatiron District—from 15th to 24th Streets, from Sixth Avenue to Park Avenue South—was home to fashionable retailers like Lord & Taylor and Arnold Constable on Broadway, and B. Altman, R.H. Macy, and Siegel-Cooper on Sixth Avenue. The retailers eventually moved to Midtown, but the loft buildings, early skyscrapers, and buildings in the Beaux-Arts, Neo-Renaissance, Romanesque Revival, and Queen Anne styles remained. When the historic district was designated, Anthony Wood, then-president of the Historic Districts Council, said, “This is not only a celebration of the past, it enriches the future.”

Wedgwood House, #4D5D (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

222 Park Avenue South, #7D (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Hamilton Heights Historic District
Though named after Alexander Hamilton, much of Hamilton Heights' development occurred long after his time. Between 1885 and 1909, this Upper Manhattan neighborhood blossomed with a charming array of low-rise apartment buildings, elegant brick houses, and distinctive churches, all showcasing popular architectural styles of the era. Designated as a historic district in 1974 and expanded in 2000, Hamilton Heights preserves the architectural beauty and historical character of its tree-lined streets.

463 West 142nd Street, #GC (Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing LLC)

79 Hamilton Place, #PH23 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Soho Cast-Iron Historic District
Almost entirely within the Soho Cast-Iron Historic District, Soho is renowned for its distinctive cast-iron facades. The area’s transformation from an abandoned industrial zone to a celebrated arts district was significantly influenced by artists who championed its preservation. When plans for the Lower Manhattan Expressway (LOMEX) threatened to demolish much of Soho and Little Italy, artists and preservationists united to protect the area’s historic architecture. Their efforts culminated in the designation of the Soho-Cast Iron Historic District a few years later.

22 Mercer Street, #4B (Serhant LLC)

425 Broome Street, #4 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
  1. Select which properties are of interest to you:

Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?