“If I were to start a second career, I’d go into soundproofing, especially in a city like New York, where more and more people are working from home and discovering just how thin the walls can be,” commented Vickey Barron, Compass real estate broker. She continued, “Something might look beautiful in a photo, but the construction could be problematic when it comes to noise.”
“I have clients who ask, ‘Who lives above, to the left, to the right?’” Barron recounts one client who discovered he had a four-year-old neighbor living above him who rode a tricycle indoors while he was conducting meetings with international clients.
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As remote work reshapes urban life, quiet has become a premium amenity but buyers often don’t realize how noisy an apartment can be until after they move in. “You can tap on the walls and feel the difference between buildings,” Barron said. A prospective buyer can visit a potential new home at many different times of day and night to get a sense of the sound but nothing compares to living there.
Wall and Ceiling Soundproofing
Soundproofing is all about blocking both airborne noise (like music or conversations) and impact noise (like footsteps or dropped objects). A combination of techniques usually works best.
In wall construction, methods like double-stud or staggered-stud walls can minimize vibration transfer between rooms or apartments. Resilient channels and sound isolation clips are also commonly used to separate the drywall from the wall framing. A favorite of renovators is Green Glue, a damping compound applied between two layers of drywall to absorb sound energy.
For post-war structures with thinner walls (think circa-1960s buildings where more efficiently constructed walls would have gone up), retrofitting with materials like mass-loaded vinyl or mineral wool insulation can significantly reduce the noise from a neighbor’s unit. Prewar buildings generally offer thicker walls and ceilings, sometimes with features like coffered ceilings or wainscoting that offer the bonus of eye-catching aesthetics as well as additional insulation and soundproofing.
In a city that never sleeps, quiet is a luxury. For New Yorkers, especially those living in aging walk-ups or echo-prone high-rises, soundproofing is no longer a mere renovation detail, it is a lifestyle upgrade, a sanity saver, and increasingly, an expectation in residential construction and design.
In New York’s many multi-story co-ops and condos, soundproofing floors has become both a practical and legal concern. Many buildings enforce an "80 percent carpet rule," requiring most of the floor space to be covered in rugs. While there isn’t an official NYC law mandating rugs, most leases and co-op agreements include this requirement to reduce noise. This is especially important in buildings with hardwood, tile, or laminate floors, where sounds like footsteps, pets, or children can echo loudly. While enforcement is typically based on complaints, ignoring the rule could lead to violations if neighbors start raising issues.
For more substantial sound insulation, acoustic underlayment can be added under wood or tile floors. In luxury renovations, floating floors -which use rubber or cork isolation pads -create a complete barrier between the subfloor and the structural slab, virtually eliminating impact noise.
Noise doesn't only travel horizontally. Ceilings, particularly in lofts or brownstones, can be a weak point. Installing dropped ceilings with suspended isolation systems, along with dense insulation, can be an expensive but effective solution for achieving top-floor tranquility.
Windows
Soundproofing doors and windows is also crucial. Even the most soundproofed walls can be undermined by hollow-core doors or leaky windows. Upgrading to solid-core doors and adding acoustic seals and sweeps can prevent sound from sneaking through gaps.
For windows facing the street, double or triple glazing is necessary, especially in historic buildings where new installations must also meet Landmarks Preservation Commission requirements.
The Parc Vendome, #PHD (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
“Honestly, I probably spend more time talking people out of buying apartments than encouraging them to buy. If I don’t help them think it through, they’ll end up calling me annoyed that I didn’t raise a red flag,” says Barron. No one expects bucolic conditions when buying in the city but trying your best to understand what you’re getting in for or how to remedy noise issues is a must.
In New York, absolute silence may be impossible, but with the right combination of materials, methods, and compliance, you can create a peaceful environment- a quiet retreat in the midst of the city's hustle and bustle.
New developments with tranquil spaces
Vita, #4DN (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
575 Fourth Avenue in Park Slope offers a peaceful urban retreat with over 12,000 square feet of landscaped outdoor spaces, including a courtyard, sundeck, dining areas, and a rooftop terrace with stunning skyline views. Indoors residents can enjoy a fitness center with a yoga and stretching studio.
575 Fourth Avenue, #PHC (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
At the heart of Front & York, located at 85 Jay Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, is a private, half-acre park (one of the largest in New York City!) designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. This lush green space features landscaped gardens and ample seating, creating a peaceful environment for relaxation and reflection
Front & York, #20FFRONT (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
200E20th is a striking new condominium in Gramercy Park designed by award-winning architects, CentraRuddy. The property has a charming secret garden, much like Gramercy itself! It's a quiet private space for residents to disconnect. There is also a spacious rooftop terrace that all residents can enjoy.
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200E20th, #12B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Maverick's 60-foot indoor mosaic-tiled swimming pool, accompanied by a steam room and sauna that together evoke a serene, spa-like atmosphere. The meditation room, highlighted by a softly illuminated Himalayan salt wall, provides a tranquil space for mindfulness. Residents can also enjoy personalized relaxation in a private massage room.
Maverick, #16C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
FÖRENA’s Scandinavian-inspired homes are bathed with natural light, and gracious proportions bestow a sense of balance and serenity. Their amenity suite includes a 24-hour attended lobby, an intimate rooftop terrace with panoramic Manhattan views, a residents’ lounge with direct access to a lush outdoor Zen garden, featuring bamboo plantings and stone pathways designed for privacy and tranquility.
Additionally, the Residents’ Lounge is a sophisticated space for both relaxation and entertaining. Outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen, private aperitif lockers for each residence, and a pool table, it’s ideal for hosting gatherings or enjoying a quiet moment. Available for private meetings and events, this thoughtfully designed lounge extends the comfort and style of your home.
Additionally, the Residents’ Lounge is a sophisticated space for both relaxation and entertaining. Outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen, private aperitif lockers for each residence, and a pool table, it’s ideal for hosting gatherings or enjoying a quiet moment. Available for private meetings and events, this thoughtfully designed lounge extends the comfort and style of your home.
Forena, #11A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
58 Saint Marks Place in Brooklyn offers a curated selection of quiet, wellness-focused amenities designed for tranquility. A beautifully landscaped Zen Garden with bamboo and stone paths provides a private outdoor retreat. Indoors, residents can unwind in circular meditation rooms with soft overhead lighting or practice in the Quiet Energy yoga studio. Private sauna and steam suites offer a restorative experience with wet/dry heat and cold therapies. These serene spaces create a calming balance within the energy of city living.
Saint Marks Place, #608 (Compass)
Rentals
30 Kent Street in Greenpoint offers quiet, zen-inspired amenities including soundproof meeting pods with ultra-quiet ventilation and built-in tech for focused work. The building’s overall ultra-quiet ventilation system enhances tranquility, while The Loft provides a cozy space with workstations and lounge seating for relaxation or productivity.
30 Kent Street, #906 (POWERED BY DMT LLC)
499 President Street (Brodsky Organization)
At 499 President Street in Gowanus, Brooklyn, tranquility is woven into the fabric of everyday life through a range of quiet, wellness-focused amenities. The building offers residents serene communal spaces, including a quiet lounge with private rooms ideal for focused work or meditation. A rooftop pool and lounge provide a peaceful retreat with panoramic views, while landscaped courtyards and gardens designed by Steven Dubner Landscaping bring a touch of nature into the urban environment.
Courtyard at 499 President
Wellness is at the core of the building’s design, with a fully equipped fitness center that includes dedicated yoga and Pilates studios, along with a meditation room for residents seeking mental clarity and calm. For relaxation and community, the resident lounge features a cozy fireplace, and outdoor terraces offer tranquil spots for dining, lounging, or gathering in a peaceful setting. See all availabilities here.
Select listings with triple-pane windows
The Marina Astoria, #3F (Nest Seekers LLC)
Castle Village, #63 (Compass)
Centric, #A3 (ONE REALTY GLOBAL CORP)
The Mona, #2C (Nest Seekers LLC)
129 Malcolm X Boulevard, #3
$1,084,000
Bedford-Stuyvesant | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,163 ft2
129 Malcolm X Boulevard, #3 (Compass)
Five Six One Pacific Street, #606
$1,775,000 (-6.3%)
Boerum Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,283 ft2
Five Six One Pacific Street, #606 (Compass)
32 East 1st Street, #2C (Sothebys International Realty)
60 White Street, #4E (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Michelle Sinclair Colman
Michelle writes children's books and also writes articles about architecture, design and real estate. Those two passions came together in Michelle's first children's book, "Urban Babies Wear Black." Michelle has a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in the Cities Program from the London School of Economics.
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