New look for upcoming Kips Bay condominium planned across from Stuyvesant Town

By CityRealty Staff | From Future New York Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Away from the subway and close to the morgue, lower Manhattan's far east side is filled with overlooked gems and unhyped blocks that could leave even the most blasé Knickerbocker confused. Over on East 18th Street, just west of First Avenue, three landmarked Italianate-style houses are among the earliest surviving structures in the neighborhood. Built in 1853 by descendants of the autocratic one-legged governor Peter Stuyvesant on his once rambling farm (the Great Bouwerie!), three brick-faced homes tease a taste of New Orleans with their low stature, deep front yards, and graceful ironwork fronting shallow porches.

These landmarked rowhouses at 326-330 East 18th Street were built by descendents of Peter Stuyvesant and are among the oldest in the area

These landmarked 1850s rowhouses at 326-330 East 18th Street were built by descendents of Peter Stuyvesant and are among the oldest in the area

Juxtaposing this antebellum charm, across idyllic First Avenue, is the formidable 110-building Stuyvesant Tower-Peter Cooper Village, sporting its signature aesthetic of mid-20th-century monotony. Despite the visual severity, its altruistic values endure. Conceived as a community for returning veterans of World War II, the 11,250-unit complex remains a national park to the threatened species, the middle-class New Yorker. Over the decades, the complex has birthed notable residents like Pulitzer Prize-winner Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes), New York Times opinion columnist David Brooks, and actor Paul Reiser.

In this bewildering period of the 21st century, a new upscale condo building is angling to negotiate the contradictory facets of New York life, which fewer of us can afford to be baffled by. Not even the hospitals of "Bed Pan Alley," apparently, as Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center pursues closing its Gramercy campus this coming July. While many local conspiracists suspect this was a real estate land grab from the start, we definitely believe this is the case.

Evidently, Manhattan has been ignoring NIMBYs for centuries.

As CityRealty is a real estate company, we'll finally get to the point. A small huddle of walk-up buildings at 18th Street and First, which most recently held Beth Israel's Karpas Health Information Center has been cleared to make way for a ten-story condominium building with 50 units. The four-building site was sold to Minrav Development in early 2020, who made quick work reducing them to rubble.

Permits were filed and approved in 2021 to build a slick new condo building designed by SLCE Architects. Initial renderings depicted a contemporary structure channeling the timeless character of an office park. Newly published renderings by ARC Architecture + Design Studio convey a design that is as beautifully confused as the city itself. A concoction of Art Deco, Moderne, and Japanese traditional design (Shinto chic, neatly packaged into an arbitrary zoning envelope. Many units will have private outdoor space and corner homes will have curved exposures, giving the building a faint resemblance to The Normandy on the Upper West Side.

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305 First Avenue / 350 East 18th Street (Minrav/SLCE Architects)

We'll have to wait approximately two years to see if the design will live up to its renderings. We're happy the architects used some imagination and hope the bean counters and engineers don't devalue the design. A recent visit shows that like many stalled developer dreams around the city, the site remains an eyesore of graffiti, ripped ads, and litter-strewn curbs. However, recent permit activity shows foundation work will begin in the coming weeks.

The high-end residential market of Gramercy has been booming late as a flurry of contracts has been signed at 200E20th several blocks west, and 250 East 21st Street is essentially sold out. Aside from convenient access to medical facilities, nearby attractions include Stuyvesant Square Park, everything the East Village offers, and a wonderful fountain and park at the center of Stuyvesant Town. The First Avenue station of the L train is a few blocks south, several crosstown and uptown bus routes are nearby, and a new ferry landing is located at East 20th Street and the East River.

A more genuine New York seen from the new, French-chateau-styled condo previously known as Edison Gramercy. Yeah, we're confused too.

Nearby New Development Listings

250 East 21st Street (formerly Edison Gramercy), #10B
$5,995,000

Gramercy Park | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,468 ft²

250 East 21st Street, #10B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: With interiors designed by the celebrated Paris Forino, Residence 10B at 250 East 21st Street is a 2,468 square-foot four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home with 339 square feet of private outdoor space.

Boutique in scale, rich in character, 250 East 21st Street is perfectly situated in one of the city's most iconic and celebrated neighborhoods, just steps away from the park. Tree-lined streets lead to a classic contemporary address, designed to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. The homes are enhanced with a suite of wellness and social amenities, including two landscaped rooftop parks with views of New York's most iconic landmarks. The second-floor landscaped Yoga Garden shares adjacencies to the Fitness Center, with LifeFitness cardio and conditioning equipment, and a beautifully-appointed Residents' Salon. Additional conveniences include a 24-hour attended lobby, dedicated bicycle storage, and private storage available at an additional cost. See floor plan and full details here.

200E20th, #10C
$2,925,000

Gramercy Park | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,327 ft²

200E20th, #10C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: This two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom residence offers northern, southern and eastern exposures through panoramic windows, approximately 9'8" ceilings, and Italian White Oak 6 inch wide-plank flooring. Enjoy the added luxury of a private balcony, including a captivating skyline view of Manhattan.The VRF heating and cooling system ensures personalized comfort. Laundry closets, equipped with Miele washer and dryer, add convenience.

With panoramic views that perfectly frame the vaunted Gramercy Park, the rooftop terrace, with carefully orchestrated landscape design, fire pit and outdoor kitchen, welcomes entertaining, relaxing, and endless spectacular sunsets. Discreetly tucked away is the verdant Secret Garden, an intimate retreat readymade for warm evenings and quiet contemplation. Occupancy is anticipated in June 2024. See floor plan and full details here.

Coda Condominium, #8F
$1,195,000

Gramercy Park | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 720 ft²

Coda Condominium, #8F (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Residence 8F is a graciously proportioned east-facing apartment with views of the East River through oversized windows and a sunlit living room. Light-filled interiors by renowned D'Apostrophe Design showcase thoughtful layouts with a modern feel. A considered collection of materials including European 5" wide plank wood flooring, custom glossy white lacquer kitchen cabinetry, and distinct selections of stone create stylish comfortable residences. The apartment features an open kitchen with Honed Petite Granite marble countertops and backsplash. Among its top-of-the-line appliances are a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Bosch cooktop, oven and dishwasher. See floor plan and full details here.

The Tower at Gramercy Square, #12C
$6,495,000

Gramercy Park | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths | 2,539 ft²

The Tower at Gramercy Square, #12C (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Perched high on the 12th floor, with an abundance of natural light and iconic city skyline views, this gracious 4 bedroom, 4.5 bath home is a rare offering. The Tower at Gramercy Square is for the discerning purchaser, offering truly luxurious living and unparalleled amenities. Residents enjoy white glove service, a 75’ saltwater lap pool, fitness center, sauna/steam rooms, yoga studio, golf simulator, children’s playroom, screening room, resident’s lounge, resident club room, bike room, private storage and the potential to purchase private parking. See floor plan and full details here.

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Nearby New Development Listings

250 East 21st Street (formerly Edison Gramercy), #10B
$5,995,000

200E20th, #10C
$2,925,000

Coda Condominium, #8F
$1,195,000

The Tower at Gramercy Square, #12C
$6,495,000

This is your member's center

In this article:

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Nearby New Development Listings

250 East 21st Street (formerly Edison Gramercy), #10B$5,995,000

200E20th, #10C$2,925,000

Coda Condominium, #8F$1,195,000

The Tower at Gramercy Square, #12C$6,495,000

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250 East 21st Street (formerly Edison Gramercy), #10B
$5,995,000

200E20th, #10C
$2,925,000

Coda Condominium, #8F
$1,195,000

The Tower at Gramercy Square, #12C
$6,495,000