21 E 81st Street
MLS® #RLS20071275
Listing by Compass
6
Bedrooms
6.5
Baths
8,538
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Exposure: South facing
- Outdoor Space: Terrace, Rooftop
- Fireplace: 1 fireplace
Property Details
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 triplex with a duplex rental apartment—the home offers exceptional flexibility and long-term potential.
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 quiet, 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
270
Median Asking Price
$1.80M
Median $/Sqft
$1,589
Avg Days on Market
N/A
New This Week
16
Price Reduced
32%
Sold (30 Days)
37
Median Sale Price
$1.38M
Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 2/16/26, 9:41 AM EST
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Location
21 E 81st Street, Upper East Side, New York County
Listing Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) via Trestle API. Updated in real-time.
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.
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Listing 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.
RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 2/16/2026 at 2:41 PM UTC