515 East 72nd Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 515 East 72nd Street by Carter Horsley

The very attractive, 41-story, 404-foot-high rental apartment tower at 515 East 72^nd Street was converted in 2006 to 329 residential condominium apartments.

David C. Acheson of Acheson Doyle Partners Architects, which designed a new rooftop dining facility for the Metropolitan Club on Fifth Avenue at 60th Street and has overseen the renovation of The Ritz Tower on the northeast corner of 57th Street and Park Avenue, was the architect for the conversion.

It had been erected in 1986 by The Macklowe Organization with more than 400 apartments.

The Macklowe Organization sold it in 2005 to C & K Properties, of which Meir Cohen and Ben Korman are principals, for more than $360 million.

It was designed by Schuman, Lichtenstein, Claman & Efron.

The building has a particularly attractive façade that is modulated by its many balconies and excellent window treatments.

When it first opened the red-brick building was known as River Terrace. When it was first converted to condominiums, its named was changed to Miraval Living because the Tucson-based spa planned to open a facility in the building. 

In 2010, however, Miraval became disassociated with the building and it is known now simply as 515 East 72^nd Street.

Bottom Line

A full-service, mid-block building with good views of the East River.

Description

When it first opened, the red-brick building was known as River Terrace and was distinguished by large clocks high up on its north and south façades and many large balconies. The clocks were subsequently removed.

Amenities

This building has a health club and pool, garage, doorman, concierge, valet service, recreation room, bicycle room, private garden and storage space. It permits pets.

Apartments

Apartment 11F is a one-bedroom unit with a 22-foot-long living room, a pass-through kitchen, and an 18-foot-long bedroom.

Apartment B on floors 6 and 8 through 11 is a two-bedroom unit with a large living room with a dining alcove and an enclosed kitchen and a corner balcony.

Apartment 12J is a four-bedroom unit with a 19-foot-square living room with a corner balcony and a 13-foot-square kitchen.

Apartment J on fours 4-11 and Apartment F on floors 14-21, 23-27 and 29-30 is a three-bedroom unit with a 25-foot-long living room with a small balcony, and a pass-through kitchen.

Apartment 12L is a two-bedroom unit with a 20-foot-long living room with a corner balcony and a 10-foot-long dining room next to an enclosed kitchen.

Apartment 20A is a five-bedroom unit with a 20-foot-living room connected to a 23-foot-long den next to a 20-foot-long dining room off the open 14-foot-long kitchen.  The apartment has two corner balconies and two small balconies and a small “study” next to the den.

Apartment 21A is a 5-bedroom apartment at the east end of the building with a 42-foot-long great room with an open kitchen and two balconies.  The apartment has a second corner balcony and a second small balcony.

Apartment 22A has a entry foyer that leads to an 8-foot-square gallery that opens onto a 34-foot-long living room next to a 20-foot-long home office.  A 21-foot-long enclosed kitchen is off the living room and next to a 19-foot-long play room with a long balcony.  The apartment has five bedrooms, one with a small balcony.

Apartment 31F is a four-bedroom unit with a 20-foot-long living/dining room with a corner balcony off an open 15-foot-long kitchen and next to a 18-foot-long corner den.

Apartment B on floors 33 through 40 is a three-bedroom unit with two corner balconies at the east end of the building and a 30-foot-long great room with a 19-foot-long open kitchen.Apartment 11F is a one-bedroom unit with a 22-foot-long living room, a pass-through kitchen, and an 18-foot-long bedroom.

Location

It is on an attractive street east of York Avenue that overlooks the East River and Sotheby's, which occupies the east blockfront of York Avenue between 71st and 72nd Street.

This block dead-ends in a pleasant, curved overlook of the East River and there is a rather charming group of black-painted, low-rise buildings with red entrance doors further to the east of this tower.

There is good bus transportation nearby and several medical institutions to the south along York Avenue.