The Cherokee, 508 East 78th Street - Lenox Hill
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508 East 78th Street, also known as part of the Cherokee complex, is a distinguished pre-war Beaux Arts landmark building erected in 1910 and converted to a cooperative in 1987. Originally known as the Shively Sanitary Tenements, this historic structure was designed by architect Henry Atterbury Smith with progressive environmental features to aid tuberculosis patients, funded in part by Mrs. William Kissam Vanderbilt.
The 6-story walk-up building showcases elegant architectural details including a beige-brick façade with a two-story rusticated limestone base, decorative terracotta accents, and an impressive cornice. Notable features include large globe lanterns flanking the entrance gates and distinctive balconies with attractive supports.
The building's innovative design includes triple-hung windows allowing access to French balconies, Gustavino tile-vaulted tunnel entrances leading to central courtyards, and corner staircases with wrought-iron seats and iron-and-glass canopies. These architectural elements were revolutionary for their time, prioritizing natural light and ventilation.
Amenities include a live-in superintendent, video intercom system, bicycle room, central storage, landscaped courtyard, and laundry facilities. The co-op maintains flexible policies, welcoming pied-à-terres, investors, parents buying for children, and pets. Utilities including gas and electric are typically included in the maintenance fees.
The building's location offers convenient access to John Jay Park and the East River promenade, with good cross-town bus service on 79th Street and proximity to the FDR Drive. The surrounding Upper East Side neighborhood features numerous dining establishments and gourmet food stores, including Citarella, Agata & Valentina, and Whole Foods.
The Cherokee complex extends through the block to 77th Street and east to Cherokee Place, overlooking John Jay Park and the East River. This historically significant building represents an important example of early 20th-century progressive architectural design focused on health and environmental considerations.
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For some co-ops, instead of price per square foot, we use an estimate of the number of rooms for each sold apartment to chart price changes over time. This is because many co-op listings do not include square footage information, and this makes it challenging to calculate accurate square-foot averages.
By displaying the price per estimated room count, we are able to provide a more reliable and consistent metric for comparing sales in the building. While we hope that this gives you a clearer sense of price trends in the building, all data should be independently verified. All data provided are only estimates and should not be used to make any purchase or sale decision.
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