For Sale · Listing by Serhant
21 E 81ST Street
Upper East Side, Manhattan
$16,500,000
21 E 81ST Street
MLS® #RLS20110701
Listing by Serhant
Open House Scheduled
Tuesday, August 25 • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
REBNY 2025: signed Buyer Representation Agreement required before any showing.
- 6
- Bedrooms
- 5.5
- Baths
- 8,538
- Sq. Ft.
- 1897
- Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Views: Other
- Outdoor Space: None, Rooftop
- Fireplace: 1 fireplace
Property Details
Listing History
| Event | Date | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Aug 24, 2026 | $16,500,000 | - |
| Currently | Aug 24, 2026 | $16,500,000 | - |
Description
Just off Fifth Avenue and moments from The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park, 21 East 81st Street is a distinguished limestone townhouse on one of the Upper East Side's most beautiful blocks. Designed in 1899, this 20-foot-wide residence spans approximately 8,600 square feet across six levels. The interiors are beautifully proportioned with impressive ceiling heights, original architectural details and multiple wood-burning fireplaces. An elevator services all levels. The grand entertaining floor features soaring 12-foot ceilings and generous rooms filled with natural light. A substantial kitchen provides plenty of space for both everyday living and entertaining. Above, a landscaped roof garden offers a private retreat with ample room for dining, lounging and entertaining. The home is currently configured as an expansive owner's quadruplex with a separate income-producing duplex. The layout also works well for extended family, guests, staff or a private office. Alternatively, the townhouse can be returned to a grand single-family residence. With its limestone facade, mansard roof and gracious scale, 21 East 81st Street offers the character of a classic New York townhouse with the space and flexibility for modern living in an extraordinary location.
Features & Amenities
Interior Features
Exterior Features
Building Amenities
Appliances
Building Information
Financial Details
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
208
Median Asking Price
$1.96M
Median $/Sqft
$1,654
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
7
Price Reduced
38%
Sold (30 Days)
48
Median Sale Price
$1.23M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 8/24/26, 11:14 AM EST
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Location
21 E 81ST Street, Upper East Side, New York County
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)
Want help estimating ownership costs or understanding building compliance? Let's discuss
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
The current listed annual property tax is $120,024, or roughly $10,002 per month. Verify the current assessment with your attorney before closing.
This property has 6 bedrooms and 5 full bathrooms and 1 half bathroom.
The listed interior living area is 8,538 square feet. Verify dimensions independently during due diligence.
According to MLS records, the building was constructed in 1897, making it approximately 129 years old.
This listing is None
Pets are permitted at this property: Pets Allowed With Landlord Approval.,Building Pets Allowed Comments:Pets Allowed With Landlord Approval.. Contact Milton Coste for weight limits or breed restrictions.
At the current list price of $16,500,000 for 8,538 sq ft, the asking price per square foot is approximately $1,933. 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 milton@miltoncoste.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 Serhant - FRAYDA RESNICK
Listing Contact: (917) 575-7621
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 8/24/2026 at 3:14 PM UTC
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Upper East Side Market Update
48 sales last 30 days · $1.96M median · 4.3 months supply
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Quick Facts
Monthly Costs Estimate
$3,300,000
Source: Freddie Mac PMMS
Est. Monthly Payment
$0
Estimates only. Consult a lender for exact figures.
Mansion tax applies at this price point
New York State charges the buyer a mansion tax on residential purchases at $1,000,000 or more. At this asking price the tier is $15M to $19,999,999 at 3.50%, applied to the whole purchase price. It is due in cash at closing and cannot be financed.
Estimated mansion tax at asking
$577,500
Estimate based on the asking price. Confirm your own obligation with your real estate attorney.
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