Skip to Content

The Excelsior, 303 East 57th Street: Review and Ratings

between Second Avenue & First Avenue View Full Building Profile

Carter Horsley
Review of 303 East 57th Street by Carter Horsley

This 47-story white-brick apartment tower was the city's tallest residential tower when it was built in 1967 and a precursor of many major mixed-use buildings as its lower five floors contain offices. Designed by Philip Birnbaum, who moved his offices into the building, many of the cooperative building's apartments have balconies. Over the years, the building has often had scaffolding around it to repair the brick façade as it and many buildings of its generation used a glazed brick that did not survive well in the city's freeze/cycles that caused water to freeze behind the glazing, expand and pop off the glazed facing. Many of the tower's units have impressive views, especially looking west down 57th Street. The building has a spacious lobby and attractive retail spaces, but its location suffers from noise heavy traffic on and off the nearby Queensborough Bridge.

Rating

25
Out of 44

Architecture Rating: 25 / 44

+
21
Out of 36

Location Rating: 21 / 36

+
18
Out of 39

Features Rating: 18 / 39

+
8
=
72

CityRealty Rating Reference

 
Architecture
  • 30+ remarkable
  • 20-29 distinguished
  • 11-19 average
  • < 11 below average
 
Location
  • 27+ remarkable
  • 18-26 distinguished
  • 9-17 average
  • < 9 below average
 
Features
  • 22+ remarkable
  • 16-21 distinguished
  • 9-15 average
  • < 9 below average
  • #48 Rated co-op - Midtown
  • #9 Rated co-op - Midtown East
 
Book a Tour or Get More Information on this Building
Interested in selling? Learn how we can help
Key Details
One United Nations Park
between East 39th Street & East 40th Street
Murray Hill
One United Nations Park is an unprecedented interplay of privacy and light—a balance that reflects the architecture’s bold exterior and luminous interiors.
Learn More
One United Nations Park - Exterior View - Building One United Nations Park - Exterior/Interior View - Terrace and Living Room One United Nations Park - Interior - Corner View - Living Room One United Nations Park - Interior - Living Room - View of ESB One United Nations Park - Interior View - Colorful Living Room