7 Gracie Square

Overview of 7 Gracie Square

7 Gracie Square is a 16-story cooperative apartment building erected in 1929 on a quiet cul-de-sac facing Carl Schurz Park on Manhattan's Upper East Side. The building, which contains 43 apartments, was designed by the architectural firms of George B. Post & Sons and Rosario Candela. Post was known for designing many significant Manhattan buildings including the New York Stock Exchange and the Vanderbilt mansion.

The building's most distinctive feature is its spectacular Art Deco entrance, featuring intricate metalwork attributed to French designer Edgar Brandt. The entrance doors and surrounding ironwork showcase an elaborate design of swirling shapes in brass and iron, plated with zinc, nickel and cadmium, featuring motifs of gazelles, elephants, and sinuous plants. The interior continues this nautical-themed metalwork with radiator grilles designed as square-rigged ships.

The building's development was initiated by Arthur W. Crisp, a successful Canadian muralist who purchased the property in early 1928. The red-brick façade features vertical runs of brick set at angles and four large masonry piers in the center. The building underwent significant façade repairs in the mid-1950s, including a period where it was clad in aluminum strips, before being restored in 1993.

The apartments are generously proportioned, featuring high ceilings, herringbone floors, and many units with fireplaces. Typical layouts include formal dining rooms, libraries, and staff quarters. Many apartments offer views of Carl Schurz Park, Gracie Mansion, and the East River.

The building has an interesting financial history, having been taken back by a bank in 1935 before the tenants purchased it as a cooperative in 1945 for $500,000. Notable residents have included Robert Moses, the influential urban planner who shaped much of New York City's modern infrastructure.

Today, 7 Gracie Square operates as a full-service cooperative with a full-time doorman, concierge, resident superintendent, and modern amenities including a gym and laundry facilities. The building maintains storage facilities and maids' rooms for residents.

The cooperative currently requires a minimum 50% down payment from buyers and implements a 2.5% flip tax. The building is pet-friendly and sits in a prime location near schools, with convenient access to the East River Promenade and various transportation options.