Murray Hill Tower, 245 East 40th Street: Review and Ratings

Review of 245 East 40th Street by Carter Horsley

This 34-story rental apartment building was erected in 1975 and was one of the first towers to pioneer the transformation of this area south of the United Nations from a commercial and industrial area to a luxury high-rise neighborhood.

It was built by Glenwood Management, one of the city's leading developers of residential buildings and its tower, which rises without setbacks, is notable for its corner balconies whose staccato visual impact energize its otherwise quite utilitarian design.

It was originally known as the Marlborough and is now known as Archstone Murray Hill. It was acquired by Equity Residential in 2012.

The building has a free health club and pool, a garage, a driveway, a doorman, a bicycle and storage room, a recreation room, a children's room, a sundeck, video security and valet service. The building has a laundry room on every floor and does not permit pets. There are 9 apartments a floor and a total of 270 units.

Since its completion, this formerly amorphous neighborhood at the lower, eastern edge of the Midtown Office District, has been transformed into one of the city's densest and showiest high-rise residential enclaves.

About equidistant from the United Nations and Grand Central Terminal, this building is also close to public transportation and Murray Hill.

Many of the building's impressive views have since been somewhat obstructed by other high-rise construction, but those new buildings often create more interesting views.

The building, which is located at 245 East 40th Street and is also known as 747 Second Avenue and 242 East 41st Street, is just a few blocks north of the entrance to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, which generates a great deal of traffic, but is also convenient for getting out of the city.

This area has also benefited by the renaissance and popularity of the Midtown South and Flatiron Districts that have made this central location even more appealing.