Property Attributes
- MLS#RLS20115265
- TypeSingle Family
- Listing Status Active
- CountyNew York
- CityManhattan
- AreaManhattan
- NeighborhoodUpper East Side
- Zip10028
- Style
- Year Built1901
- Taxes$ 150540
- Price$ 12,500,000
- Bedrooms6
- Full Bathrooms5
- Half Bathrooms2
- Sqr Footage5760
Data Source:
Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)
Property Description
44 East 81st Streеt prеsеnts а rаrе opportunitу tο асquirе an architecturally significant, exceptionally tall 20-foot-wide one-unit townhouse on one of the Upper East Side's most distinguished residential blocks, ideally positioned between Park and Madison Avenues.
Its commanding red-brick facade, articulated with substantial limestone detailing, gives the residence an unusually handsome and distinguished street presence. The combination of width, height, architectural character and scale immediately sets the house apart from more conventional Upper East Side townhouses.
Spanning approximately 5,760 square feet of interior living space across five stories, with an additional cellar and approximately 764 square feet of outdoor space, the residence offers exceptional volume and flexibility. The existing layout includes six bedrooms plus an office, five full baths and two powder rooms, together with an elevator, and a beautifully proportioned sequence of formal and private rooms.
One of the house's defining qualities is its remarkable vertical scale. Notably high ceilings extend throughout the five principal floors, creating an extraordinary sense of volume, light and grandeur rarely found even among substantial Manhattan townhouses. Original architectural details include handsome wood paneling, intricate moldings, multiple fireplaces and beautifully proportioned rooms that reflect the craftsmanship and residential elegance of an earlier era.
The parlor level is particularly impressive, with expansive living and reception rooms, dramatic ceiling heights and a glass-enclosed sunroom overlooking the rear garden. Generous windows throughout the residence bring in natural light while preserving the intimacy, privacy and sense of permanence associated with a classic Manhattan townhouse.
The upper floors continue the same sense of scale, offering generously proportioned bedrooms and substantial private living spaces. The primary suite includes a large dressing area with custom built-ins, a fireplace and French doors opening to a Juliet balcony. Additional bedrooms, dedicated office space and abundant storage provide considerable flexibility for a variety of lifestyles and uses.
The south-facing private garden is another defining feature. Established greenery and established greenery create a secluded urban sanctuary, while a glass-enclosed garden room opens toward the outdoor space. A spiral stair connects the upper terrace to the landscaped courtyard below, creating a layered indoor-outdoor environment that is particularly rare in the heart of Manhattan.
Located just moments from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Museum Mile and Madison Avenue, 44 East 81st Street occupies an exceptional position within one of Manhattan's most culturally rich and enduring residential neighborhoods, surrounded by world-class museums, restaurants, boutiques and architecture.
Offered in its current condition, the residence presents a singular opportunity to create a highly personalized Upper East Side home while preserving the extraordinary width, height, proportions, architectural character and presence that make 44 East 81st Street so distinctive.
The property may also offer meaningful unused development rights, providing the next owner with additional flexibility to expand or further reimagine the residence, subject to confirmation by the purchaser's architect and all applicable zoning, building and landmark approvals.
| Price History | |
|---|---|
| 9/15/2026 | Listed $12,500,000 |
Amenities
- Foreclosure
- Views
- Short Sale
- New Construction
- Adult 55+
- Lease To Own
- No HOA Fees
- Furnished
- Primary On Main
- Air Conditioning
- Seller Finance
- Green
- Fixer Upper
- Horse
- Golf
- Fireplace
- Deck
- Garage
- Basement
- Pool
Property vs Single Family Average in 10028
In The Neighborhood
Manhattan
$ 65,000,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 14,800 SqFt
- Rooms
- 8 Beds + 12.5 Baths
Listed by: Sothebys International Realty
Manhattan
$ 68,000,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 19,050 SqFt
- Rooms
- 6 Beds + 9 Baths
Listed by: Modlin Group LLC
Manhattan
$ 19,500,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 6.5 Baths
Listed by: Sothebys International Realty
Manhattan
$ 14,995,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 5,750 SqFt
- Rooms
- 6 Beds + 6.5 Baths
Listed by: Nest Seekers LLC
Manhattan
$ 6,995,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 3,584 SqFt
- Rooms
- 5 Beds + 3.5 Baths
Listed by: Compass
Manhattan
$ 8,950,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 3,500 SqFt
- Rooms
- 2 Beds + 3 Baths
Listed by: Sothebys International Realty
Manhattan
$ 13,995,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 6,546 SqFt
- Rooms
- 5 Beds + 5 Baths
Listed by: Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Manhattan
$ 7,750,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 4,828 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 4.5 Baths
Listed by: Serhant
Manhattan
$ 21,995,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 6,605 SqFt
- Rooms
- 5 Beds + 6.5 Baths
Listed by: Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Manhattan
$ 35,000,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 17,600 SqFt
- Rooms
- 9 Beds + 6.5 Baths
Listed by: Modlin Group LLC
Manhattan
$ 7,850,000
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 4,148 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 5.5 Baths
Listed by: Compass

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