Walk to work! The best luxury rental buildings in the Murray Hill–Grand Central area

By Staff Writer | From Midtown Today, March 25, 2026

Various no fee luxury rental buildings in Murray Hill, Manhattan

Renting in Murray Hil doesn’t sound very exciting on paper. The area has held on to a now dated reputation of being a post-dorm community with a lot of office buildings nearby, but not a ton of shopping or culture. But day to day, the neighborhood is one of the most central, convenient, and easiest places to live in Manhattan.

The area's biggest attribute is how easy it is to get to everything. If you work anywhere on the East Side, or even Midtown in general, you have the ability to walk to work. Additionally, Grand Central is just north of the area, so getting around the city or out of it is simple. For new residents coming from outside NYC, that alone is a huge quality-of-life upgrade, as one gets a central base for navigating our vast metropolis. Furthermore, within walking distance, there is New York Ferry on East 34th Street with regular (and scenic) trips to Brooklyn, Queens, and Wall Street; the Herald Square transit hub serving numerous subway lines and PATH; and Penn Station on Seventh Avenue, which allows you to get out to Jersey or Long Island when 'nature' calls.

Murray Hill is also one of the few neighborhoods where basic errands are genuinely easy. On the Kips Bay-Murray Hill border, you have multiple grocery options (Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and the newly opened Lidl on 32nd Street), large pharmacies on seemingly every other block, and plenty of restaurants with takeout that’s pretty affordable by Manhattan standards. You’re not really going out of your way for anything essential.

Apartment-wise, this is where Murray Hill really wins people over. For what you pay, you usually get more space than you would in other neighborhoods further Downtown. Many of the buildings are postwar high-rises with elevators, laundry, sometimes a doorman; usually nothing flashy, but comfortable and cozy. So again, if you’re new to the city, Murray Hill is a pretty forgiving place to land.

The area hasn't completely shed its post-grad reputation. There is a bar and restaurant scene along Third Avenue (mostly south of 34th Street in Kips Bay) that skews younger and it can get lively on weekends. While it’s not chaotic, you’ll notice it.

Murray Hill's central location offers easy access to other central Manhattan neighborhoods

Murray Hill's central location offers easy access to other Manhattan neighborhoods such as Koreatown, NoMad, Hudson Yards, the Theater District, and the Garment District

At the same time, there are many workers that include hospital staff at NYU Langone Medical Center, office workers, and long-time residents so it doesn’t feel like a theme park version of New York like other neighborhoods. It feels more functional and lived in. One thing that stands out is how few tourists you see compared to other parts of Manhattan. While there are some major landmarks, most notably The Morgan Library & Museum, the neighborhood itself surprisingly feels local, albeit transient due to its salient desirability being tied to its proximity to business districts nearby.

Where it falls short depends on what you’re looking for. If you want interesting retail, galleries, or a big arts scene, you’ll probably feel you have to venture elsewhere. It’s also not the best setup if you’re commuting to the West Side since if you're taking the subway, you'll usually have to transfer from the 6 (unless you can walk directly to Grand Central for the 7 or the cross-town shuttle S train).

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Overall, Murray Hill is less about being exciting and more about being easy, which is a major perk in an often-intense metropolis. You can get a decent apartment, walk to work, grab groceries without thinking about it, and still have enough going on socially if you want it. It’s not the version of New York people usually imagine before they move here, but for a lot of renters it ends up working really well.

The Lotus

255 East 39th Street, between Second & Third Avenue

Leasing Manager: The Marketing Directors | Developer: Brause Realty with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman | Architect: CetraRuddy
20 floors | 259 feet tall | 157 units
Completed in Spring 2026

14 Available 1- to 2-bed listings from $5,746/month

*Offering 1 month free on a 13-month lease, and 2 months free on 26-month leases.

Renderings of The Lotus | Credit: Brause Realty with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman | CetraRuddy Architects

The Lotus is the newest building to open in Murray Hill. The 20-story building situated at 255 East 39th Street, on the corner of Second Avenue, delivers 157 one- and two-bedroom apartments to a stretch of Murray Hill that is close to the United Nations and Midtown East offices. Developed by Brause Realty with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman, and designed by CetraRuddy, the building features a fresh gridded glass and masonry facade and stepped upper floors. The location also places residents within easy reach of Grand Central Terminal and the 4, 5, and 6 trains.

Rendering of a penthouse unit at The Lotus | https://thelotusnyc.com/

The Lotus focuses on light, efficient, and low-impact living. One feature that sets the building apart is its all-electric design. It was developed to meet Zone Green standards, with solar panels on the roof and no reliance on natural gas.

Inside, apartments range from studios to two-bedrooms designed with a clean, Minimalist aesthetic, with expansive windows, wide-plank light oak flooring, custom oak finishes, and functional layouts. Kitchens are equipped with induction cooktops and integrated state-of-the-art appliances, while bathrooms are finished with spa-like materials. Each apartment also includes a Bosch washer and dryer.

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The development team designed the day-to-day experience at The Lotus around convenience and flexibility. There is a 24-hour attended lobby and concierge, while amenities cover both work and leisure, from elevated coworking areas to lounges and a landscaped rooftop with a view of the Empire State Building.

So, in a nutshell, combined with its proximity to transit, offices, and daily necessities such as Trader Joe's a few blocks south, The Lotus brings a fresh option for those looking to live on Manhattan's East Side with new systems, modern finishes, and a great amenity package.

Find more details and all current availabilities at The Lotus here.

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Main arrival entrance along East 39th Street

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Amenities:

24-hour attended lobby with concierge service
Fitness center with yoga room
Coworking lounge with private work areas
Residents’ lounge
Game room with billiards and foosball
Golf and multi-sport simulator
Screening room
Children’s playroom
Rooftop terrace with BBQ grills and outdoor dining areas
Central laundry room
Pet-friendly building

One Sixty Madison

160 Madison Avenue, between East 32nd and 33rd Street

3 Available Studio and 3-Bed Listings from $4,690/month

Developer: JD Carlisle | Architect: SLCE Architects
45 floors | 480 feet tall | 319 units
Completed in 2015

Finished in 2015, One Sixty Madison is a 45-story rental tower developed by JD Carlisle on the Murray Hill-NoMad-Koreatown border at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 33rd Street. Designed with exteriors by SLCE Architects and interiors by Philip Koether Architects, the building features a distinctive angled, octagonal massing that allows many of its 318 studio, one-, and two-bedroom residences to capture 180-degree panoramic skyline views.

Sun-filled living room at One Sixty Madison

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View from high floor at One Sixty Madison

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Sun-filled living room at One Sixty Madison 2

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All apartments include 9- to 12-foot ceilings, white oak finished floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Corner units are notably spacious, with layouts are designed to accommodate dining tables for 6 to 8 people, and some one-bedrooms exceeding 800 square feet with up to 12 floor-to-ceiling windows.

Kitchens come equipped with polished Silestone countertops and backsplash, white custom cabinets, stainless steel Blomberg refrigerators, and Kitchen-Aid appliances (slide-in range, dishwasher, microwave). Bathrooms feature custom walnut vanities, Daltile porcelain tile, and recessed shower curtain tracks, with select units offering glass enclosed showers and radiant heated floors. Bosch washers and dryers are included in every residence.

The tower offers over 20,000 square feet of amenities through its Club Madison membership. The Three Sixty Lounge occupies the rooftop with an indoor fireplace, two outdoor terraces, and panoramic views of the city. The 13,667-square-foot Park Lounge is surrounded by an elevated private park and adjacent to a fitness center that overlooks the green space. Additional services include valet and concierge, bicycle storage, and a 24-hour doorman.

Find more details and all current availabilities at One Sixty Madison here.

Common rooftop terrace with skyline views

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Top-floor lounge at One Sixty Madison with fireplace

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State-of-the-art fitness center with terrace access

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Amenities:

• Three Sixty Lounge (rooftop lounge with indoor fireplace and two outdoor terraces)

• 13,667-square-foot Park Lounge

• Elevated private park

• Fitness center overlooking private park

• 24 hour doorman

• Full-time concierge

• Valet services

• Bicycle storage

The Summit

222 East 44th Street between Second and Third Avenue

7 Available studio to 2-bed listings from $4,980/month

Developer and Manager: BLDG Management | Architect: Handel Architects
43 floors | 556 feet tall | 429 units
Completed in 2018

Exterior of The Summit

The Summit is a 43-story rental tower at 222 East 44th Street in Midtown East, developed by BLDG Management and designed by Handel Architects. The 429-unit building spans a through-block site between Second and Third Avenues, close to Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the United Nations. Its faceted glass design is oriented to capture natural light and maximize views of the Midtown skyline and East River, with many residences offering direct sightlines to nearby landmarks.

Apartments range from studios to two-bedroom layouts and are consistently finished with floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, custom closets, and in-unit washer/dryers. Kitchens feature Scavolini cabinetry, quartz countertops, full-height backsplashes, and integrated Bosch appliances. Bathrooms are designed with Italian vanities, oversized medicine cabinets, floor-to-ceiling tile, and spa-like showers and soaking tubs, with layouts that emphasize both functionality and natural light.

High-floor apartments at The Summit have some of the best up-close views of The Chrysler Building

The Summit includes over 45,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities, anchored by a private drive court entrance and a 30-foot lobby with full-service concierge and lifestyle services. Amenities span multiple levels and include a rooftop Sky Lounge with dining and entertainment spaces, a skylit 18-meter lap pool with spa facilities, and a full basketball and squash court. Additional offerings include coworking spaces, landscaped terraces, resident lounges, and a range of recreation and wellness facilities, positioning The Summit as a high-amenity rental option in a transit-rich Midtown location.

Sky lounge at The Summit

Amenities:

24-hour doorman and concierge with lifestyle services
Private drive court and valet parking
Multiple rooftop decks and outdoor terraces with BBQs and seating
Summit Sky Lounge with fireside seating and skyline views
Private dining room with catering kitchen and wine storage
Resident lounges and dedicated coworking spaces
Indoor heated 18-meter lap pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room
Full-size basketball court and squash court
Fitness center with Technogym and Peloton equipment
Personal training and treatment rooms with complimentary classes
Gaming lounge with billiards and foosball
Tech lounge with meeting/work spaces
Children’s playroom and outdoor playground
Golf simulator
Landscaped backyard sun deck with outdoor screening area

300 East 39th Street

Between First and Second Avenue

8 Available studio to 3-bed listings from $4,091/month
Shared pricing starts at $3,507 | Concessions on select apartments

Manager: Equity Residential | Developer: The Related Companies | Architect: Davis Brody Bond
27 floors | 287 feet tall | 254 units
Completed in 2000

300 East 39th Street is a 27-story rental tower built in 2000 with a distinctive asymmetrical design featuring curved façades on its north and south sides. Designed by Davis Brody Bond LLP, the orange brick building contains 254 apartments and stands out in this high-rise neighborhood near the Manhattan approach to the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The building was formerly known as Archstone 39th and was acquired by Equity Residential in 2012. The lobby was designed by David Rockwell, and the ground floor features a rusticated masonry base with sidewalk landscaping.

All apartments come equipped with in-unit washer dryer units, floor-to-ceiling windows, ceiling fans, and oak parquet floors. Kitchens feature granite countertops while bathrooms have marble bathtubs. The building's very large windows include discrete air conditioners, and corner units benefit from wraparound exposures.

The location places residents near Tudor City, the Ford Foundation Building, and the United Nations, with convenient access to public transportation at Grand Central Terminal and along 42nd Street, though the area experiences considerable tunnel generated traffic.

Amenities:

• 24-hour concierge service

• Roof deck

• Fitness center

• Business center

• Bicycle room

• Valet service

• Maid service

• Dry cleaning service

• Sidewalk landscaping

Paramount Tower

240 East 39th Street between Second and Third Avenue

5 Available one- to four-beds from $4,895/month

Developer and Manager: Glenwood Management | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners
51 floors | 567 feet tall | 466 units
Completed in 1999

The Paramount Tower's facade

Paramount Tower is a 51-story rental building erected by Glenwood Management in 1998. Designed by Costas Kondylis, the sleek tower at 240 East 39th Street and 221 East 38th Street contains 466 apartments across its slab form, which is modulated with projected bays and a high ratio of windows. The lobby features a distinctive dome ceiling, and the building maintains a separate attended service entrance with escorted deliveries.

The building occupies a midblock location on the eastern edge of Murray Hill, providing quieter living conditions while remaining close to Grand Central Terminal, the United Nations, and the Midtown business district. The location affords many apartments unobstructed views across the neighborhood.

Amenities:

• Indoor pool

• Health club with sauna

• Fitness center

• 24-hour doorman

• On-site garage

• Bicycle room

• Storage room

• Children's playroom

• Residents' lounge

• Landscaped sundeck

• Rooftop deck

• Private garden

• Video security

• WiFi access

• Laundry facilities

The Metropolis

150 East 44th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue

9 Available one- to four-beds from $4,673/month

Developer and Manager: Rose Associates | Architect: SLCE Architects
52 floors | 550 feet tall | 360 units
Completed in 2001

The Metropolis

The Metropolis is a 52-story rental tower at 150 East 44th Street, developed by Rose Associates Inc. and The Benenson Capital Company in 2001, and designed by SLCE. The 360-unit building sits in the heart of Midtown, steps from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, with convenient access to the United Nations and extensive public transportation. The attractive lobby features a revolving door entrance with marquee and a tapestry based on a Bauhaus design by Gunta Stolzl. The building's south façade is distinguished by large bay windows that span multiple apartments.

Apartments range from studios with sleeping alcoves to one-bedroom units with 1.5 baths, many featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, pass through kitchens with granite countertops and wooden cabinetry, walk in closets, and Maytag appliances. Corner units on higher floors offer views of the East River and city skyline, while select units include curved bay windows. Rent includes heat, hot water, and cooking gas, though residents pay for electricity, cable, and internet. Dogs are not permitted. The fitness center requires an additional $65 monthly fee per person.

Roof deck at The Metropolis

Amenities:

• 24-hour attended lobby and concierge

• On-site valet services and dry cleaning

• Maid services available

• Video security

• Sun deck

• Fitness center (The Metropolis Club)

• Golf simulator

• Billiards parlor

• Laundry room (5th floor)

• Central air conditioning

Frontier

200 and 210 East 39th Street between Third and Second Avenue

2 Available studio to one-beds from $4,463/month

Developer and Manager: CBSK Ironstate | Architect: Rawlings Architects
19 floors | 213 feet tall | 123 units
Completed in 2015

The Frontier consists of two buildings

The Frontier is a 19-story rental building at 200 East 39th Street in Murray Hill, developed by CBSK Ironstate and designed by Rawlings Architects in 2015. Built on the site of the former Frontier Diner that burned down in 2010, the building contains 91 apartments, including 20 affordable units that allowed the developer to approximately double the building's footprint. The location offers convenient access to Grand Central Terminal, and the building's nicely modulated façade and numerous corner windows distinguish it from typical rental construction in the area.

Apartments feature bamboo wood floors, large windows with solar shades, and 11-foot ceilings in select units. Kitchens come equipped with Liebherr and Bosch stainless steel appliances, while bathrooms include custom vanities and blue glass tile. Most units have in-unit Bosch washers and dryers, central air and heating with individual controls, and pass through kitchens in studio and one-bedroom layouts, while two-bedroom units have enclosed kitchens. Units can be delivered either furnished or unfurnished, and the building is pet friendly.

Amenities:

24-hour doorman
Landscaped rooftop terrace with Midtown views
Fitness center
Storage
Package room
Pet friendly

The Anthem

222 East 34th Street, between Second and Third Avenue

9 Available studio to one-beds from $4,025/month

Developer and Manager: Rosebud Associates | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners
21 floors | 232 feet tall | 480 units
Completed in 2001

The Anthem at 222 East 34th Street is a 21 story rental building completed in 2003 by developers Kamran Hakim and his son Scott. Designed by Costas Kondylis & Partners, the building stretches 360 feet long between Third and Second Avenues and contains 480 apartments plus approximately 50,000 square feet of commercial retail space.

Located at the cusp of Murray Hill and Kips Bay, the building offers convenient access to public transportation, the FDR Drive, and the Queens Midtown Tunnel, and sits near the concentration of medical facilities along First Avenue known as "Hospital Alley."

Typical apartment at The Anthem

The apartments consist primarily of studios and one-bedrooms, with some two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 470 to 2,500 square feet. Standard features include granite countertops, maple floors, and marble bathrooms. Walk-in closets are a common feature throughout the building, with many alcove studios offering multiple closets and efficient layouts that accommodate separate living, dining, and sleeping areas. Select apartments include private terraces, in-unit washers and dryers, wood-burning fireplaces, and corner windows.

Amenities:

Doorman and concierge
Parking garage
Health club
Three resident lounges
Rooftop garden

The Knox

49 East 34th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues

9 Available one- and two-beds from $4,815/month*

*Prices reflect the net effective rent with concessions included. Pricing and availability are subject to change. Please contact our leasing team to confirm.

Developer: Times Square Development/Construction | Architect: HTO Architect
36 floors | 450 feet tall | 110 units
Completed in 2009

The Knox

The Knox is a 36-story rental tower at 49 East 34th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues. The mid-block tower features a design with two center white piers flanked by single red brick piers, set back considerably from its one-story base with a hanging entrance marquee.

Located at the intersection of Murray Hill and NoMad, the building sits near the Empire State Building, Morgan Library, Bryant Park, and Madison Square Park, with convenient access to Grand Central and Penn Station.

Typical corner unit at The Knox

Apartments range from studios to two-bedrooms and feature 9-foot ceilings, oak wood flooring, marble bathrooms with Kohler fixtures, and marble countertops. Most units include in-unit Bosch washers and dryers, along with Frigidaire refrigerators, GE dishwashers, and solar shades. Recent condo grade renovations added custom cabinetry, updated lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows in many units.

Typical layouts feature entry foyers leading past open kitchens to living spaces ranging from 13 to 15 feet in length, with corner windows in many apartments providing views of the Empire State Building from west, south, and north facing exposures. Select units include walk-in closets and private terraces.

Fitness center at The Knox

Amenities:

• 24-hour doorman and concierge

• Fitness center

• Lounge and media room

• Rooftop terrace with Midtown South and Empire State Building views

• Bicycle room

• On-site laundry facilities

• Pet friendly

• Resident superintendent

The Knox NYC

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In this article:

255 East 39th Street, between Second & Third Avenue

Leasing Manager: The Marketing Directors | Developer: Brause Realty with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman | Architect: CetraRuddy 20 floors | 259 feet tall | 157 units Completed in Spring 2026

160 Madison Avenue, between East 32nd and 33rd Street

Developer: JD Carlisle | Architect: SLCE Architects 45 floors | 480 feet tall | 319 units Completed in 2015

222 East 44th Street between Second and Third Avenue

Developer and Manager: BLDG Management | Architect: Handel Architects 43 floors | 556 feet tall | 429 units Completed in 2018

Between First and Second Avenue

Manager: Equity Residential | Developer: The Related Companies | Architect: Davis Brody Bond 27 floors | 287 feet tall | 254 units Completed in 2000

240 East 39th Street between Second and Third Avenue

Developer and Manager: Glenwood Management | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners 51 floors | 567 feet tall | 466 units Completed in 1999

150 East 44th Street between Lexington and Third Avenue

Developer and Manager: Rose Associates | Architect: SLCE Architects 52 floors | 550 feet tall | 360 units Completed in 2001

200 and 210 East 39th Street between Third and Second Avenue

Developer and Manager: CBSK Ironstate | Architect: Rawlings Architects 19 floors | 213 feet tall | 123 units Completed in 2015

222 East 34th Street, between Second and Third Avenue

Developer and Manager: Rosebud Associates | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners 21 floors | 232 feet tall | 480 units Completed in 2001

49 East 34th Street, between Fifth and Madison Avenues

Developer: Times Square Development/Construction | Architect: HTO Architect 36 floors | 450 feet tall | 110 units Completed in 2009

The Knox NYC

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Leasing Manager: The Marketing Directors | Developer: Brause Realty with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman | Architect: CetraRuddy
20 floors | 259 feet tall | 157 units
Completed in Spring 2026

Developer: JD Carlisle | Architect: SLCE Architects
45 floors | 480 feet tall | 319 units
Completed in 2015

Developer and Manager: BLDG Management | Architect: Handel Architects
43 floors | 556 feet tall | 429 units
Completed in 2018

Manager: Equity Residential | Developer: The Related Companies | Architect: Davis Brody Bond
27 floors | 287 feet tall | 254 units
Completed in 2000

Developer and Manager: Glenwood Management | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners
51 floors | 567 feet tall | 466 units
Completed in 1999

Developer and Manager: Rose Associates | Architect: SLCE Architects
52 floors | 550 feet tall | 360 units
Completed in 2001

Developer and Manager: CBSK Ironstate | Architect: Rawlings Architects
19 floors | 213 feet tall | 123 units
Completed in 2015

Developer and Manager: Rosebud Associates | Architect: Costas Kondylis & Partners
21 floors | 232 feet tall | 480 units
Completed in 2001

Developer: Times Square Development/Construction | Architect: HTO Architect
36 floors | 450 feet tall | 110 units
Completed in 2009