21 E 81st Street
MLS® #RLS20071275
Listing by Compass
6
Bedrooms
5.5
Baths
8,538
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Exposure: South facing
- Outdoor Space: Terrace, Rooftop
- Fireplace: 1 fireplace
Property Details
Listing History
| Event | Date | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed | Feb 10, 2026 | $18,000,000 | - |
| Currently | May 4, 2026 | $18,000,000 | - |
Description
21 East 81st Street presents a rare and highly unique opportunity on one of the Upper East Side’s most coveted townhouse blocks, perfectly positioned between Fifth and Madison Avenues. Built in 1899 by renowned architects Welch, Smith & Provot, this 20-foot-wide Neoclassical limestone townhouse spans approximately 8,600 square feet across four stories, crowned by a mansard roof. Grand ceiling heights, significant original architectural detail, and wood-burning fireplaces in nearly every room define the interiors, while an elevator services all levels. Currently configured as a two-family residence—an owner’s quadraplex with income producing duplex —the home offers exceptional flexibility and long-term potential which can also can easily be converted to a single family.
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
338
Median Asking Price
$1.75M
Median $/Sqft
$1,536
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
22
Price Reduced
28%
Sold (30 Days)
36
Median Sale Price
$1.53M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 5/3/26, 10:28 PM EST
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Location
21 E 81st Street, Upper East Side, New York County
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)
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 common charges are $0 per month. Confirm the exact amount with the listing broker before making an offer.
The current listed annual property tax is $116,184, or roughly $9,682 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 1899, making it approximately 127 years old.
This listing is None
Pet policy requires confirmation with the listing broker.
At the current list price of $18,000,000 for 8,538 sq ft, the asking price per square foot is approximately $2,108. 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 - Jennifer E Regenstreich
Listing Contact: (917) 841-3305
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 2:28 AM UTC