Uber-luxury deals fuel spike in NYC contract activity; Katharine Hepburn's former Turtle Bay townhouse finds a buyer

Katharin Hepburn

Tuesday, Oct 27, 2026 By CityRealty Staff, CityRealty contributor

From October 19-25, 2026, 220 residential contracts were signed in Manhattan. In spite of the midterm and governor elections (early voting is underway in New York City), and at a time when holidays like Halloween and soon Thanksgiving are on the horizon, the number of contracts climbed 12 percent week over week, and up slightly from the same week in 2025. A large number of luxury contracts, including eight asking over $10 million, also sent the aggregate dollar volume rising 11 percent week over week, though 16 percent below the same week in 2025.

Less than a week remains in the month, but October 2026 already shows an improvement on September with deals only seven percent behind last year's. Co-op contracts are nearly back to their 2025 level while condo deals continue to lag, though the latter can perhaps be attributed to limited condo inventory.

Sponsor condos lead week's deals; 255 East 77th and 44 West 8th Street down to final penthouses

255 East 77th Street, Upper East Side luxury condo

255 East 77th Street, home of the week's top contract (Compass)

Last week, sponsor condos in new construction buildings accounted for four of the ten highest-priced contracts. Chief among them was Penthouse D at 255 East 77th Street, which was asking $23.75 million. The full-floor, 5,520-square-foot penthouse has six en suite bedrooms, a powder room, and two private terraces - one off the living room with gas fireplace, one off the formal dining room. This contract represents one of the final availabilities at the Naftali Group-developed, Robert A.M. Stern Architects-designed 255 East 77th Street; the last availability is a duplex penthouse with seven bedrooms, six and a half baths, seven private terraces, and a $37.5 million ask.

44 West 8th Street, Greenwich Village condominium

Rendering of a home at 44 West 88th Street, #2 (Compass)

Further downtown, boutique condominium 44 West 8th Street is also nearing sellout. Residence #2, a full-floor five-bedroom with a large private terrace, entered contract with a $12.5 million ask, one of the top Downtown contracts and the week's sixth-highest overall. With this deal, the one availability remaining in the building is a four-bedroom penthouse with a private roof terrace set to ask $18.5 million, but this has not come on the market yet.

53 West 53rd Street, Midtown West luxury condo

53 West 53 (Douglas Elliman)

Also of note, Residence #59A at 53 West 53 entered contract with a $21.5 million ask. While this was expensive enough for the week's second-highest contract and well outstripped the next-highest deal (a resale at celebrity favorite 443 Greenwich Street), it does represent a $2 million reduction from when the Jean Nouvel-designed building started marketing off floor plans in 2015. It is now open for immediate occupancy, and the unidentified buyer will receive a Perpetual Benefactor membership to the Museum of Modern Art directly below the tower. They will also have access to over 30,000 square feet of wellness and social amenities, hotel-caliber service, not to mention priority access to 53, the award-winning restaurant in the base of the building.

Notable townhouse deals include restored Brooklyn Heights mansion and Katharine Hepburn's former Turtle Bay home

39 Willow Place, Brooklyn Heights townhouse

39 Willow Place, top townhouse deal (Compass)

The week's highest-priced townhouse contract was for 39 Willow Place, an 1848 Greek Revival townhouse located in the Brooklyn Heights Historic District and asking $12.75 million. Public records show that a buyer listed as a trust paid $5.35 million for it in February 2023, and Brownstoner notes that a compromised rear wall led to a full renovation that included reconstructing the rear wall, rebuilding the backyard, replacing the gas infrastructure with an all-electric one, and adding hemp insulation, all in cooperation with Landmarks to preserve the house's original character. Further enhancements included turning the garden level into an in-law suite with its own kitchen, updating the main kitchen with honed Bianco Carrara marble countertops and backsplash and high-end appliances, and creating a basement-level wellness area with home gym, steam shower, and sauna.

51 West 73rd Street, Upper West Side townhouse

51 West 73rd Street, top Manhattan townhouse contract (Vandenberg Inc.)

Manhattan's top townhouse deal was for 51 West 73rd Street, a Queen Anne-style townhouse designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh, architect of The Dakota and The Plaza, and asking $8.75 million. When the 7,000-square-foot house hit the market for $10.49 million in March 2025, the New York Post noted that it had last changed hands for $2.2 million in 1993; as such, the unidentified buyer is advised to "bring your contractor." Original details like fireplace mantels, stained glass windows, and intricate carvings remain intact, and all five floors are connected by an elevator.

244 East 49th Street, Turtle Bay townhouse

244 East 49th Street (Sotheby's International Realty)

Additionally, 244 East 49th Street, a townhouse on the historic Turtle Bay Gardens, entered contract with an asking price of nearly $6.2 million, almost $1 million below the asking price when it was listed in May 2024. The buyer has not been identified, but Crain's New York Business reported that the seller, known only as "a family from Mexico," bought it from the estate of Academy Award-winning actress Katharine Hepburn for $3.9 million in 2004, shortly after her death. Ms. Hepburn lived there on and off from 1931 to mid-1997, during which time her neighbors included educator Maria Bowen Chapin, author E.B. White, actress Ruth Gordon, and, somewhat contentiously, composer Stephen Sondheim.

Would you like to tour any of these properties?

Just complete the info below.

Or call us at (212) 755-5544

Top Manhattan brokerages by number of contracts signed

Top Manhattan brokerages by contract volume

Top NYC Contracts: October 19-25, 2026

#10. 812 Park Avenue, #11/12B
Last Ask: $10,250,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths

812 Park Avenue, #11/12B (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Perfectly located on the 11th and 12th floors of 812 Park Avenue, this extraordinary corner prewar duplex in a distinguished J.E.R. Carpenter-designed co-operative is flooded with natural light, with every window facing either Park Avenue or picturesque 75th Street. This magnificent 11-into-10-room residence offers four bedrooms, four full bathrooms, two powder rooms, grand entertaining rooms, ceilings reaching up to 10'6", and an abundance of original architectural details, including a spectacular sweeping staircase, herringbone hardwood floors, beautiful moldings, and original doors. See full details here.

812 Park Avenue has no public availabilities.

#9. 860 Park Avenue, #6
Last Ask: $10,950,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 4,400 ft²

860 Park Avenue, #6 (R New York)

From the Listing: Occupying the entire sixth floor of one of Park Avenue's most distinguished prewar cooperatives, Residence 6 at 860 Park Avenue is a remarkable approximately 4,400-square-foot home that masterfully balances grand-scale entertaining with the comfort and intimacy of everyday living. Designed by the celebrated architectural firm York & Sawyer and completed in 1925, the building remains one of the avenue's most coveted addresses, embodying the elegance, craftsmanship, and enduring quality of New York's golden age. The apartment conveys with two private storage units. See full details here.

860 Park Avenue has one public availability asking $5.995 million.

#8. 487 Henry Street, #TH
Last Ask: $12,250,000 (-5.7%)

Cobble Hill | Townhouse | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths

487 Henry Street, #TH (Park Property Advisors)

From the Listing: On one of Cobble Hill's most picturesque, tree-lined blocks, 487 Henry Street is a reimagined 19th-century townhouse-clear in vision, restrained in execution. Built between 1844 and 1845 by Jacob Frost, the residence has been reimagined, developed, and designed by ECKSTRØM in collaboration with General Assembly. The original stoop, proportions, and rhythmic facade remain intact, while the interiors have been reconceived for present-day living, incorporating passive design principles to enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and environmental performance. See full details here.

#7. One High Line, #EAST_23B
Last Ask: $12,325,000

Chelsea | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,383 ft²

One High Line, #EAST_23B (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

From the Listing: East 23B at One High Line is a 3,386-square-foot four-bedroom and three-and-a-half-bathroom residence featuring west and north exposures. This exceptional home boasts a generous great room finished with natural oak chevron floors and open kitchen with elegant Carnico Grigio marble floors, Molteni brushed Epicea wood and white lacquer cabinetry with cove lighting, and honed Calacatta Gold marble countertops and backsplash. A Calacatta Gold marble island with a brass patina frame is complemented by a raised St. Laurent marble. See full details here.

One High Line has 18 public availabilities from $2.65 million.

#6. 44 West 8th Street, #2
Last Ask: $12,500,000

Greenwich Village | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,255 ft²

44 West 8th Street, #2 (Compass)

From the Listing: Spanning a full floor of 44 West 8th Street, Residence 2 is a four-bedroom home of exceptional scale, offering 3,255 square feet of interior space and a remarkable 50-foot-wide, south-facing, 1,492-square-foot private terrace directly off the living space. A private keyed elevator opens directly into the residence, where a gracious marble foyer leads to expansive living and entertaining spaces spanning the building’s 50-foot width. See full details here.

44 West 8th Street has no public availabilities.

#5. 39 Willow Place, #TH
Last Ask: $12,750,000

Brooklyn Heights | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 6,000 ft²

39 Willow Place, #TH (Compass)

From the Listing: Set in one of New York’s most coveted neighborhoods, 39 Willow Place in Brooklyn Heights, is an exceptionally rare offering: a 25-foot-wide, fully renovated historic townhouse where enduring architecture meets the highest standards of modern living. Originally built in 1848, the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom residence spans approximately 6,000 square feet across five levels. See full details here.

#4. 50 West 66th Street, #5D
Last Ask: $13,250,000

Central Park West | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 3,889 ft²

50 West 66th Street, #5D (Compass)

From the Listing: Residence #5D is a brand-new 5-bed, 5.5-bath home spanning 3,889 square feet. Located in 50 West 66th Street, the Upper West Side’s most sought-after new development, the coveted D line is the only 5-bedroom residence in the House portion of the building. Featuring 24 windows, 10' ft ceilings and a sprawling, pre-war inspired layout, this home wraps the entire eastern and southern corners of the building. See full details here.

50 West 66th Street has 13 public availabilities from $6.5 million.

#3. 443 Greenwich Street, #5B
Last Ask: $16,500,000

Tribeca | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,454 ft²

443 Greenwich Street, #5B (Corcoran Group)

From the Listing: Residence #5B at 443 Greenwich is a meticulously crafted three-bedroom home that pairs the scale and character of historic Tribeca with an elevated, contemporary sensibility. Entered via a private elevator landing, the residence unfolds into an expansive great room framed by five original arched windows, flooding the space with northern and southern light throughout the day. See full details here.

443 Greenwich Street has one public availability asking $19.75 million.

#2. 53 West 53, #59A
Last Ask: $21,530,000

Midtown West | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,762 ft²

53 West 53, #59A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Combining superb sophistication and craftsmanship with the intimate feeling of home, Residence 59A at 53 West 53 comprises 3,762 square feet, offering three bedrooms and a windowed study, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and north-, east-, and west-facing exposures. Gracious proportions and ceilings ranging up to approximately 11 feet set the awe-inspiring stage for world-renowned designer, Thierry Despont, to craft singular spaces in the sky with many custom elements typically reserved for primarily commissioned homes. See full details here.

53 West 53 has 20 public availabilities from $2.45 million.

#1. 255 East 77th Street, #PHD
Last Ask: $23,750,000

Lenox Hill | Condominium | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 5,520 ft²

255 East 77th Street, #PHD (Compass)

From the Listing: Stunning 360-degree views! Penthouse D at 255 East 77th Street is a distinguished full-floor residence with six bedrooms, two terraces, and beautifully proportioned interiors that connect seamlessly to the outdoor spaces and gorgeous views. A private entry gallery leads to a corner loft-like living room with 15' ceilings and direct Central Park and midtown views, along and access to one of the home’s two terraces. See full details here.

In this article:

Sponsor condos lead week's deals; 255 East 77th and 44 West 8th Street down to final penthouses

Notable townhouse deals include restored Brooklyn Heights mansion and Katharine Hepburn's former Turtle Bay home

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Top NYC Contracts: October 19-25, 2026

#10. 812 Park Avenue, #11/12B
Last Ask: $10,250,000

812 Park Avenue has no public availabilities.

#9. 860 Park Avenue, #6
Last Ask: $10,950,000

860 Park Avenue has one public availability asking $5.995 million.

#8. 487 Henry Street, #TH
Last Ask: $12,250,000 (-5.7%)

#7. One High Line, #EAST_23B
Last Ask: $12,325,000

One High Line has 18 public availabilities from $2.65 million.

#6. 44 West 8th Street, #2
Last Ask: $12,500,000

44 West 8th Street has no public availabilities.

#5. 39 Willow Place, #TH
Last Ask: $12,750,000

#4. 50 West 66th Street, #5D
Last Ask: $13,250,000

50 West 66th Street has 13 public availabilities from $6.5 million.

#3. 443 Greenwich Street, #5B
Last Ask: $16,500,000

443 Greenwich Street has one public availability asking $19.75 million.

#2. 53 West 53, #59A
Last Ask: $21,530,000

53 West 53 has 20 public availabilities from $2.45 million.

#1. 255 East 77th Street, #PHD
Last Ask: $23,750,000

255 East 77th Street has one public availability asking $37.5 million.

Byron Allen’s $34M 220 CPS buy leads over $420M in Manhattan sales; Siggi’s founder buys in Tribeca, Dick Grasso sells

Price Cuts: $1.55M off Mariah Carey’s downstairs neighbor in Tribeca, UES trophy listings slashed as pied-a-terre tax looms

American Eagle CEO's condo at Giorgio Armani Residences leads Manhattan sales; West Village Houses co-op trades at 279 percent profit

The 25 new Manhattan condos hitting the market in Fall 2026

Linda Evangelista sells Chelsea penthouse once rented to Keanu Reeves; Green Dot founder buys at Central Park Tower

21 NYC condo buildings with golf simulators and golf amenities

NYC's top-selling residential buildings of summer 2026; Big money kept flowing despite new tax

Top Contracts: Mary Cantwell’s former loft in a converted Village stable finds buyer; NYC’s entry-level condo pipeline shrinks 74%

Uber-luxury deals fuel spike in NYC contract activity; Katharine Hepburn's former Turtle Bay townhouse finds a buyer

In this article:

Sponsor condos lead week's deals; 255 East 77th and 44 West 8th Street down to final penthouses

Notable townhouse deals include restored Brooklyn Heights mansion and Katharine Hepburn's former Turtle Bay home

Select which properties are of interest to you:

Top NYC Contracts: October 19-25, 2026

Related Listings

Tags:

Related Articles

Byron Allen’s $34M 220 CPS buy leads over $420M in Manhattan sales; Siggi’s founder buys in Tribeca, Dick Grasso sells

Price Cuts: $1.55M off Mariah Carey’s downstairs neighbor in Tribeca, UES trophy listings slashed as pied-a-terre tax looms

American Eagle CEO's condo at Giorgio Armani Residences leads Manhattan sales; West Village Houses co-op trades at 279 percent profit

The 25 new Manhattan condos hitting the market in Fall 2026

Linda Evangelista sells Chelsea penthouse once rented to Keanu Reeves; Green Dot founder buys at Central Park Tower

21 NYC condo buildings with golf simulators and golf amenities

NYC's top-selling residential buildings of summer 2026; Big money kept flowing despite new tax

Top Contracts: Mary Cantwell’s former loft in a converted Village stable finds buyer; NYC’s entry-level condo pipeline shrinks 74%

Search

Market Data

Market Insight

CityRealty

My Account