The Peregrine, 303 East 49th Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 303 East 49th Street by Carter Horsley

The Peregrine is a sliver, mid-block, apartment tower on Second Avenue between 49^th and 50^th streets. 

Its entrance is at 303 East 49^th Street just to the west of a larger but lower apartment building that has curved balconies quite similar to those on the southwest corner of the Peregrine. 

This 24-story building has only 20 apartments and its tower is setback over a low-rise retail base on Second Avenue.

It was designed by John Klausz of the Architects Desgn Group for Joseph Albani.

Bottom Line

An ungainly intrusion into the Turtle Bay neighborhood, this sliver tower on Second Avenue tucks its canopied entrance on the side-street.

Description

The mid-block does not have fire escapes like its neighbors on Second Avenue on this block but it is significantly set back on its site at the third story creating a deep gap in the street wall. 

An asymmetrical tower, it has large curved balconies on its south corner beginning at the 11^th floor that are mimicked nicely by the more symmetrical and better proportioned mid-block apartment building at 309 East 49th Street. 

The Peregrine also has smaller, boxy balconies on its northwest corner. 

A February 12, 1984 article in The New York Times by Dee Wedemeyer noted that the lobby at the Peregrine had a bronze sculpture of a woman with bare breasts whose designer, Bill Miller, described it as “a temptress pouring wine into the little wood nymph’s mouth.” 

According to the article, Mr. Miller also said that “many of the people on 49^th were European clientele so they weren’t offended or taken aback.”  The lobby measures 29 by 18 feet with a white marble floor, mirrored walls, silk wall coverings, a Japanese fan, Japanese chairs, a bamboo tree, stainless-steel trim, a skylight over the concierge desk and a view of a mediation garden, the article said.

Amenities

The building, which is also known as 924 Second Avenue, has a full-time doorman and a canopied entrance.

Apartments

Penthouse 23 is a triplex with four bedrooms.  On its second level, it has a 9-foot-long entry foyer that leads to a 35-foot-long living room with a large curved corner balcony and a wet bar, a 14-foot-long dining area with solarium across from an open 14-foot-long kitchen with an island.  On its lower level it has three bedrooms, one with a large curved corner balcony.  On its top level, it has a 13-foot-long bedroom that opens onto a 13-foot-wide sunroom with a 14-foot-wide terrace and a 9-foot-wide office with a rear 24-foot-wide terrace. 

Apartment 8 is a two-bedroom unit with a 22-foot-long living room with a small balcony facing west and an enclosed 12-foot-long kitchen.

Apartment 3AB has a 10-foot-wide open kitchen, an 18-foot-long living room and three bedrooms. 

Apartment 20 has a 22-foot-long living room with an 18-foot-long curved balcony and a 13-foot-long enclosed kitchen and two bedrooms.