Great NYC Apartment Buildings: The Belaire at 524 East 72nd Street Vs. 515 East 72nd Street

Doctors, nurses, or anyone looking for proximity to one of Manhattan’s best hospitals, the New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia and Cornell, should take a look at two gracious Lenox Hill residential towers, stat; also nearby: the East River, John Jay Park and many of the perks of Upper East Side living.

Built in 1988, the 50-story condominium tower at 524 East 72nd Street is one of the Upper East Side’s most attractive residential towers. In addition to its red-brick façade and terraced setbacks, the building has a distinctive and asymmetrical look and has the added advantage of offering the most unobstructed views of its group of high-rise towers. In addition to proximity to the aforementioned institution and several other highly-regarded hospitals and clinics–the area is popular with medical professionals–the building offers a doorman, a garage, a fitness club and pool and a live-in superintendent. The first 14 floors of the building house the Hospital for Special Surgery residence, for which the entrance is on 71st Street through a sunken landscaped plaza with a fountain.

Currently available at the Belaire is unit #30CDE, a three-bedroom high-floor home with matchless river, bridge, and city skyline views from every window. At almost 3,000 square feet, the renovated apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows, custom closets, a dressing room, en suite baths, a high-end custom kitchen, media room, home office, a fireplace and central heat and air. Add parking and a pool to the list of full-service building amenities that come with the unit, which is listed at $5,495,000.

Live at the Belaire if you:

Billed as New York City’s first spa-inspired residence when it was built in 1986, the 41-story condominium at 515 East 72nd Street offers many of the attributes found in today’s cutting-edge eco-friendly residences. Units are designed with natural materials such as sustainable American black walnut floors and have private terraces and oversized windows. All apartments and public spaces in the building have HEPA air filters; hallways have natural fiber carpets. In addition to proximity to top hospitals and other facilities and occupying a tree-lined cul-de-sac overlooking the East River, the 41-story brick tower is home to one of the city’s largest residential private parks, offering almost half an acre of landscaped lawn and a 40,000 square-foot health and amenity center with a competition-sized saltwater indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a basketball court, art studio space, children’s activities and classes for both adults and kids.

 Currently available at 515 East 72nd Street is unit #39B, a three-bedroom corner unit with triple exposures offering city and river views through oversized windows with electric solar shades and from two large, private balconies as well as custom kitchens and closets, listed at $4,495,000. High-tech perks include smart TVs and personal front door video surveillance. The building offers the unique amenity of a sprawling private park and state-of-the-art wellness center as well as a full-time staff and on-site valet parking.

 Live at 515 East 72nd Street if