Half-billion in Manhattan contracts includes divine penthouse at The Palacios; Robust week for UES co-ops

By CityRealty Staff | From Iconic Addresses Monday, May 19, 2025

The Palacio 620 Park Avenue, #14 | https://www.cityrealty.com/nyc/park-fifth-ave-79th-st/the-palacio-620-park-avenue/apartment-14/ypXWEiopR

Just over halfway through May 2025, nearly 600 residential contracts have been signed in Manhattan with co-ops and condops accounting for nearly 60% of the activity. The strength of co-ops was certainly in play on the second full week of May 2025 (May 12-18): Units in prestigious Upper East Side cooperatives accounted for four of the ten highest-priced contracts of the week, and only two of the top ten deals took place in new construction buildings.

The week's top contract took place at the Emery Roth-designed 1125 Fifth Avenue, where Residence #10 entered contract with a $20,000,000 ask. The full-floor apartment underwent an extensive renovation by Shelton Mindel, but there was no improving on the views of Central Park.

Crain's New York Business identified the seller as investor/former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Wisch and notes that he bought it for $10,000,000. It was previously owned by financier Ted Ammon, whose 2001 murder in East Hampton captured the tabloids' attention. He was trying to offload the apartment at the time of his death and his widow, Generosa Ammon, sold it to Mr. Wisch in 2002.

In addition to the Ammons and Mr. Wisch, past residents of the building have included actress/singer Bette Midler, actor Kevin Kline, and Disney CEO Bob Iger. Also, eagle-eyed Disney fans recognize the address as that of the titular kitten in Oliver and Company.

The Palacio, #14 (Compass)

It was trailed closely by Residence #14 at The Palacio, which was asking $19,750,000. The duplex apartment with a large private terrace underwent an extensive renovation by architects Ferguson & Shamamian with interiors by Brian McCarthy, though not at the expense of the original details and grand proportions that define apartments in buildings designed by J.E.R. Carpenter.

Public records show that hedge fund manager Remy Trafelet and his then-wife, Lara Trafelet, bought the apartment for an even $7,000,000 in May 2004. Lara has lived in the apartment following their acrimonious divorce, and listed it for the asking price in October 2024.

The week's top condo contract was also the top Downtown contract and third-highest overall. Residence #5G at celebrity favorite 443 Greenwich Street was asking $13,300,000. If it closes for this price, the seller stands to make a profit, having bought it from the sponsor for $8,003,000 in June 2018. They were identified through an LLC, and the buyer has not been identified.

The Selene in Midtown East (Evan Joseph)

The week's second-highest condo contract took place at Selene, the Midtown East condominium designed by Lord Norman Foster. Residence #56A's ask of $9,675,000 was good enough for the sixth-highest price of the week, but represents a nearly 60% reduction from the $24,000,000 it initially sought. It came back to the market for $9,900,000 in May 2024.

On the new development front, while two contracts apiece were signed at The Solaire in Battery Park City and The Willow in Gramercy, many of the buildings with the most signings were located off the island of Manhattan. The Westview on Roosevelt Island saw four contracts signed last week, and there were three at Brooklyn Point in Downtown Brooklyn. Two contracts apiece were signed at One Williamsburg Wharf and 74 Jackson Street in Brooklyn, as well as at NuSun Vernon in Queens.

Vesta LIC (Raymond Chan Architect | Serhant)

Two contracts were also signed at VESTA shortly after sales launched on the glassy new condominium in Long Island City. Like all units in the building, the studio and one-bedroom feature floor-to-ceiling triple-pane windows, pre-engineered white oak floors, kitchens with Alpine Mist quartz countertops and fully integrated appliances by Bosch and Bertazzoni, and baths with Grohe fixtures. Amenities include an attended lobby, a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, a lounge, a children's playroom, and a serene courtyard.

“Vesta LIC is where understated elegance meets smart investing. With beautifully crafted homes, thoughtful amenities, and pricing that offers real value compared to Manhattan’s luxury market, it’s a rare blend of style and strategy. " — Kayla Lee, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at SERHANT

It should be noted that the contracts cited are those that come in through the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)'s listing feed, and not every new development necessarily reports contracts this way. The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly does not, and 42 contracts have been signed in the Financial District building as of this writing. Further uptown, the forthcoming 80 Clarkson Street has also reportedly seen a flood of deals since quietly launching sales (h/t The Real Deal).

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Highest-Priced NYC Contracts: May 12-18, 2025

#10. 565 Broome Soho, #S26A
Last Ask: $7,795,000

Soho | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,244 ft²

565 Broome Soho, #S26A (LREB)

From the Listing: Located in 565 Broome SoHo, one of Manhattan’s most coveted full-service condominiums, Residence S26A strikes the perfect balance between luxury and convenience for distinguished Downtown living. Towering over SoHo from the 26th floor, this elegant condominium residence combines its floor height and 10’ curved glass windows to offer panoramic views of the Hudson River and the many architectural icons of Downtown Manhattan. The south and west exposures flood the apartment with natural light throughout the day and offer spectacular sunsets in the evening. See full details here.

565 Broome Soho has 9 public availabilities from $1,500,000.

#9. Sherry's Village Apartments, #PH
Last Ask: $7,995,000

Greenwich Village | Cooperative | 5 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

Sherry's Village Apartments, #PH (Leslie J Garfield & Co Inc)

From the Listing: Private elevator access opens directly into this expansive triplex penthouse in the heart of Greenwich Village. Offering approximately 4,000 square feet of interior space and 1,375 square feet of private outdoor areas, including a private landscaped roof deck with outdoor kitchen, grill, and multiple balconies. The main level features soaring 17-foot ceilings, a 40-foot atrium, and unobstructed city views from every exposures. See full details here.

Sherry's Village Apartments have no public availabilities.

#8. 1220 Park Avenue, #13B
Last Ask: $8,950,000 (-5.8%)

Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 5 Bedrooms, Unknown Baths

1220 Park Avenue, #13B (Sothebys International Realty)

From the Listing: Perched on a very high floor, this coveted corner B-line, 12-into-10 room, apartment at 1220 Park Avenue has five-bedrooms, four-and-a-half-baths, is flooded with sunlight and has sweeping city views over Park Avenue and East 95th Street. Designed by Rosario Candela, this prewar cooperative apartment offers a perfect blend of sophisticated grandeur and modern comfort. A private elevator vestibule opens to an expansive gallery, setting the tone for the apartment’s gracious proportions, striking ceiling height and refined details. See full details here.

1220 Park Avenue has one public availability asking $2,849,000.

#7. 161 East 74th Street, #TH
Last Ask: $9,500,000

Lenox Hill | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 6,691 ft²

161 East 74th Street, #TH (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)

From the Listing: Be a part of the Upper East Side renaissance! Captivating views through the double-height ceiling of the top floor greenhouse of the St. Jean Baptiste Church and private garden vignettes. Exceptional light on all floors. With over 6,600 square feet of interior space across six floors, over 1,200 square feet of exterior space between the garden, terrace and a roof deck, six gorgeous fireplaces and an elevator, you can call this magical beauty your home. See full details here.

#6. Selene, #56A
Last Ask: $9,675,000 (-2.3%)

Midtown East | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,385 ft²

Selene, #56A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)

From the Listing: Selene, located at 100 East 53rd Street, offers graciously scaled residences and sophisticated design by Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Norman Foster with interiors in collaboration with AD100 recipient William T. Georgis. Residence 56A is a 3,385-square-foot full-floor convertible 4-bedroom (currently 3-bed) home offering sweeping, panoramic views in every direction. A grand arrival gallery leads to a stunning great room and kitchen and dining area with three sprawling exposures with luminous floor-to-ceiling windows. See full details here.

Selene has 11 public availabilities from $1,715,000.

#5. 180 East 75th Street, #TH
Last Ask: $11,995,000 (-4%)

Lenox Hill | Townhouse | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths | 5,950 ft²

180 East 75th Street, #TH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: From the regal limestone facade, elegant layout, tasteful decor to the structural steel used in the walls and floors and 7 wood-burning fireplaces, this property is truly unique. Enter the vestibule into this chic and comfortable home. You are immediately met with the beautiful and elegant staircase. Continue down the hall to the living room as well as the front staff /guest room or office with en-suite bathroom. There is a large coat closet and another full bathroom that serves as the guest powder room. The living room is 27 feet deep and centered on the wood-burning fireplace, floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases, and three arched French doors leading out to the 29-foot-deep landscaped rear garden. See full details here.

#4. 136 East 79th Street, #9
Last Ask: $12,500,000

Park/Fifth Ave. to 79th St. | Cooperative | 6+ Bedrooms, 6+ Baths

136 East 79th Street, #9 (Compass)

From the Listing: Epitomizing luxury, modernity, and elegance, this grand floor-through home features 5+ generous bedrooms, all with en-suite baths, a spacious eat-in chef’s kitchen/family room, a sprawling living room, formal dining room, den, and powder room. Additionally, a full-sized staff quarters including a bedroom, full bathroom, and laundry room complete this extraordinary home. Also included with the apartment is a large storage room (approximately 9'x9'), plus a storage locker. See full details here.

136 East 79th Street has 2 public availabilities from $3,995,000.

#3. 443 Greenwich Street, #5G
Last Ask: $13,300,000

Tribeca | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,022 ft²

443 Greenwich Street, #5G (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Live in the most sought-after building Downtown! Step off the elevator directly into your private foyer with limestone inset flooring and handcrafted blackened steel feature wall. The original Carolina yellow pine beams and columns from 1882 complement the lofted ceilings. Northern and southern exposures from your over-sized living room/open kitchen. Entertain in your Christopher Peacock custom designed kitchen that overlooks the landscaped courtyard garden. See full details here.

443 Greenwich Street has no public availabilities.

#2. The Palacio, #14
Last Ask: $19,750,000

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

The Palacio, #14 (Compass)

From the Listing: If you have been looking for an apartment that makes you think “I can’t believe I live here!”, you have found it! Located in the heart of one of New York’s most distinguished neighborhoods and blocks from Central Park, this duplex apartment with terraces, unobstructed views, and exceptional light, is set above the rest. This is an apartment for great entertaining in the stunning paneled, blue-glazed dining room and on the expansive terraces off the upstairs entertainment room. The residence also transfers with a separate private laundry room, a cedar closet and a storage room, all located on the basement level of the building. See full details here.

The Palacio has no public availabilities.

#1. 1125 Fifth Avenue, #10
Last Ask: $20,000,000

Carnegie Hill | Cooperative | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,600 ft²

1125 Fifth Avenue, #10 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)

From the Listing: Triple mint and perfectly renovated full floor residence with sweeping views of Central Park, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and the New York skyline, all the way up to the George Washington Bridge. Brilliantly conceived and perfectly executed by AD100 designer Shelton Mindel, every single element has been thoughtfully considered, resulting in a home that is as functional as it is beautiful. A dramatically framed elevator opens directly into an elegant entry gallery, which leads to all major areas of the home. The almost 50-foot-long great room features 6 oversized picture windows with western views over Central Park and the Central Park West skyline, and open views north to the George Washington Bridge. A storage unit transfers with the apartment. See full details here.

1125 Fifth Avenue has one public availability asking $9,995,000.

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Highest-Priced NYC Contracts: May 12-18, 2025

#10. 565 Broome Soho, #S26A
Last Ask: $7,795,000

565 Broome Soho has 9 public availabilities from $1,500,000.

#9. Sherry's Village Apartments, #PH
Last Ask: $7,995,000

Sherry's Village Apartments have no public availabilities.

#8. 1220 Park Avenue, #13B
Last Ask: $8,950,000 (-5.8%)

1220 Park Avenue has one public availability asking $2,849,000.

#7. 161 East 74th Street, #TH
Last Ask: $9,500,000

#6. Selene, #56A
Last Ask: $9,675,000 (-2.3%)

Selene has 11 public availabilities from $1,715,000.

#5. 180 East 75th Street, #TH
Last Ask: $11,995,000 (-4%)

#4. 136 East 79th Street, #9
Last Ask: $12,500,000

136 East 79th Street has 2 public availabilities from $3,995,000.

#3. 443 Greenwich Street, #5G
Last Ask: $13,300,000

443 Greenwich Street has no public availabilities.

#2. The Palacio, #14
Last Ask: $19,750,000

The Palacio has no public availabilities.

#1. 1125 Fifth Avenue, #10
Last Ask: $20,000,000

1125 Fifth Avenue has one public availability asking $9,995,000.

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