SOLD FOR $11,500,000
· Closed October 27, 2022
42 E 81st Street
MLS® #RLS10806213
Listing by Compass
6
Bedrooms
5.5
Baths
5,262
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Outdoor Space: Building Terrace, Terrace, Balcony
- Style: Prewar architecture
- Character: Pre-war building (1899)
Property Details
Listing History
| Event | Date | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Mar 1, 2022 | $11,500,000 | - |
| Price Reduced | Nov 3, 2022 | $11,995,000 | +4.3% |
Description
42 East 81st Street is a charming historic townhouse on one of the most coveted tree-lined blocks of the Upper East Side. Originally constructed in 1872, this 5 story townhouse measures 5,262 square feet and consists of six bedrooms five and a half baths, central air, and elevator access to all floors. Upon entering the residence, a large formal dining room awaits, with views of the forecourt's beautiful greenery through an oversized window. The open plan eat-in kitchen is complete with a center island and Italian serpentine marble counters, Thermador four burner cooktop with grill and hood vented to the outside, double Thermador wall ovens with warming drawer, Subzero refrigerator and freezer, with two additional integrated under counter Subzero refrigerator drawers, and two Miele dishwashers. Adjacent the kitchen is a spacious breakfast area overlooking the south facing garden complete with a planted boarder and outdoor lighting. An elegant grand staircase leads you to the parlor floor which features two large entertaining rooms. The formal living room is north facing over the quiet tree lined street, and boasts high ceilings, oversized double height windows, and a gas fireplace with original marble mantle. Equal in scale, the south facing sitting room also features high ceilings and a gas fireplace with original marble mantle. Off the sitting room is a stunning wrought iron balcony which overlooks the garden below. The third floor is made up of the primary bedroom and library or additional bedroom. The primary bedroom is south facing and has abundant natural light, a gas fireplace with marble surround, and boasts beautiful wood paneling and crown moldings. A shared bathroom with dual vanities, jacuzzi tub, steam shower, and radiant heated floors joins the two rooms and dressing area. The fourth and fifth floors each consist of two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, while the fifth floor also has an office with built in desk, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and additional storage space. The basement has a finished recreation room, laundry and two storage rooms, and houses the mechanicals. This extraordinary home is located one block from Central Park on beautiful tree-lined East 81 Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue. World-class destinations are just moments away, including the city's finest restaurants, shops, boutiques, galleries, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums along Museum Mile.
Features & Amenities
Exterior Features
Building Information
About Upper East Side
View All Upper East Side ListingsThe Upper East Side remains the gold standard for classic New York elegance. Known for 'Museum Mile' and its low-traffic, tree-lined streets, the neighborhood offers a refined lifestyle away from the midtown bustle. While famous for its historic cooperatives, the area has seen a recent surge in ultra-luxury new construction condos, particularly along the Second Avenue Subway corridor, making it a top choice for both traditionalists and modern buyers.
Upper East Side Live Market Data
View NeighborhoodActive Listings
334
Median Asking Price
$1.72M
Median $/Sqft
$1,527
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
23
Price Reduced
28%
Sold (30 Days)
38
Median Sale Price
$1.56M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 5/4/26, 5:08 PM EST
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Location
42 E 81st Street, Upper East Side, New York County • Near Madison Avenue/Park Avenue
Floor Plans
Building Information
Official NYC property records for this building
Tax & Assessment
Note: Individual unit taxes may differ. Verify current tax bills with NYC DOF.
Source: NYC PLUTO (Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output), NYC Department of City Planning (data.cityofnewyork.us)
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Listing Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) via Trestle API. Updated in real-time.
Building Data
NYC PLUTO (Primary Land Use Tax Lot Output), NYC Department of City Planning. Updated quarterly.
Market Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York). Live data updated in real-time.
Map & Location
OpenStreetMap contributors via Leaflet. Geocoding via Nominatim.
All data is provided for informational purposes only and should be independently verified. See our Data Sources Policy for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this property
This property has 6 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom.
The listed interior living area is 5,262 square feet. Verify dimensions independently during due diligence.
According to MLS records, the building was constructed in 1899, making it approximately 127 years old.
Pets are permitted at this property. Contact the listing broker for weight limits or breed restrictions.
At the current list price of $11,500,000 for 5,262 sq ft, the asking price per square foot is approximately $2,185. This figure is for reference only and may differ from appraised or assessed values.
To schedule a private showing, contact Milton Coste at (917) 416-7433 or mcoste@kwnyc.com. Per REBNY guidelines effective 2025, a Buyer Representation Agreement is required before a buyer's broker can show you properties. You may attend open houses independently without one.
Have a question not answered here?
(917) 416-7433Listing Courtesy of Compass - Michael Graves
Listing Contact: (212) 932-2222
Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (the "RLS"). The information contained in this listing has not been verified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property. This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., all rights reserved. This advertisement does not suggest that the broker has a listing in this property or properties or that any property is currently available.
Broker Commission Disclosure: Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.
Buyer Notice: Planning to work with a buyer's broker? A Buyer Representation Agreement is required before your broker can show you properties, per REBNY/UCBA guidelines (effective 2025). You may attend open houses independently without one.
RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 5/4/2026 at 9:08 PM UTC