Prospect Tower's MILLION DOLLAR listing

It has taken Prospect Tower nearly a century, but again there is a glimmer of hope: a sale price of over $1,000,000. This three-bedroom, three-bathroom unit ‒ on and off the market since 2021 ‒ is now available for $1,695,ooo.

  

 The northern-facing living room is so large. . .

. . . that it requires two photographs to capture its length.

It has a kitchen that's semi-concealed behind glass doors.

The master bedroom.

The smallest bedroom comes complete with two modern Murphy beds, as shown above. 

The floor plan.

Here is its Streeteasy listing.

More MISCELLANY

Once again, a few interesting bits of trivia.

From last Sunday's Post comes a story about the vicissitudes of New York's real estate market, entitled Prices Growing, Growing, Gone! The study of the market over the last ten years, it was a uplifting tale ‒ particularly if 0ne is a real estate agent ‒ except for a couple of straggling neighborhoods.

The main straggler, according to the Post, is "Tudor City, an apartment complex that consumes the area between East 40th and East 43rd streets and First and Second avenues. It took the greatest hit, with prices falling 17% from $402,000 in 2014 to $335,000 last year." 

Thanks to Vanessa Groce for the tip.

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Photograph around 1929, showcasing the two Tudor City signs. Then there was another sign on The Woodstock's western wall. . .

WOODSTOCK TOWER is all we can make out, however.

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The oil painting, Festival of St. Roch by E. Debat-Ponsan, hung in the lounge of Hotel Tudor in the 1950s; this postcard celebrated it.

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Finally, John McKean calls for an emergency meeting in his newsletter of January 25, 1981. "We still can win, but we must fight!"

Penthouse 7

Behold Penthouse 7 in No. 5, once again on the market. It is a two bedroom, two bath affair, spread out over three levels, the top being a roof terrace ‒ with another terrace on the first floor. This is also the penthouse that movie star Charlton Heston rented in the 1950s as his New York City base, and where he gave his celebrated interview with Edward R. Murrow on Person to Person.

The price is listed by its real estate agent, Douglas Elliman, at $4,795,000.

The living room has views toward the east and south, 18-foot ceilings, and a wood-burning fireplace. 

The first terrace, a long strip which winds down the building. 

The roof terrace.

Check out its page on the Douglas Elliman site, here. And for more on Charlton Heston, click here.

HELLO and GOODBYE

We begin with a hello to Turken House that has finally opened its doors on the southeast corner of 41st Street. This was a project of the Turken Foundation, a nonprofit set up to help Turkish students find housing and scholarships, and will serve as their dormitory space while in New York. It took five years to complete.

The building looks exactly like its renderings, down to the jazzy facade along Second Avenue.    

Seen in a closer view, its lacy design also decorates the Turkish Embassy around the corner on 46th Street and First Avenue.

At the junction where Hatfield House and Turken House meet, the former is now under scaffolding. Oh well, someday. . .     

At the same time, it's lights out for the Field of Light, installed by the owner, Stefan Soloviev, to attract some good publicity for his plans for the three-block-long property along the river that has remained vacant for a very long time. His plans include a big ask, a gambling casino. Time will tell.

The Latest on the VACANT LOT

There have been some changes to the proposal for a casino to be built on the three-block piece of land just to the south of the United Nations.

For one thing, the much derided Ferris wheel is gone ‒ a victim of general bad-mouthing ‒ and in its place are two new arrivals. First, a star architect, Bjarke Ingels [the Via 57 West apartments, et al] coupled with the promise that nearly 40% of the apartments will be for middle-income families. 513 units, in perpetuity.

Here is a new rendering of the proposal: from left to right, the residential towers, the hotel (gold buildings) and at the base, a circular structure that houses the entrance to the casino, the majority of which will be built underground. 

Coming soon to the site is the appropriately-named Field of Light at Freedom Plaza, designed by Bruce Munro. Made up of 17,000 fiber-optic spheres that change color, the installation will be on view for 12 months and is scheduled to be unveiled in December.

    

A close-up view of the festivities. Both imaginary images staged by the Soloviev Foundation in an effort to give their proposal some buzz. Still, if the casino is not built, all bets are off ‒ including the loss of 513 middle-income apartments.

Your comments, as always, are welcome.

REAL ESTATE REPORT: What's Your Apartment Worth?

 Recent Tudor City sale prices via Streeteasy.

The Cloister 

$572,500, Apt 1008, one bedroom

$555,000, Apt 302, one bedroom

Essex House

$975,000, Apt 902, two bedroom

$585,000, Apt 608, one bedroom

Haddon Hall
$930,000, Apt 802C, two bedroom
$900,000, Apt 501C, two bedroom

Hardwicke Hall
$875,000, Apt 205B, two bedroom
$328,000, Apt 1303A, studio

Hatfield House   
$330,000, Apt 306A, studio
$329,000, Apt 903A, studio

The Hermitage 
The Hermitage is a rental-only building. Recent monthly rentals:
$5,895, Apt 505, three bedroom

$5,495, Apt 604, three bedroom

The Manor  

$1,250,000, Apt 808, three bedroom

$440,000, Apt 316, one bedroom

Prospect Tower, No. 45
$550,000, Apt 910, one bedroom
$495,000, Apt 1211, one bedroom

Tudor Gardens, No. 2
$1,100,000, Apt 8BS, tw0 bedroom

$660,000, Apt 5GN, one bedroom

Tudor Tower, No. 25
$482,500, Apt 1712, one bedroom
$465,000, Apt 505, one bedroom

Windsor Tower, No. 5
$3,200,000, Apt PH 4, two bedroom
$435,000, Apt 720, one bedroom

Woodstock Tower

$599,000, Apt 2418, one bedroom

$435,000, Apt 1810, one bedroom

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Penthouse 4 in Windsor Tower has sold for its asking price, $3.2 million (see our coverage here) and the nearly-million dollar studio has not sold yet (see more here). Such is the nature of the real estate market these days. 

The biggest ask at the moment is Apartment 9HS in Tudor Gardens, a two-bedroom priced at $1.35 million. 

The dining room of Apt 9HS with windows facing south.

Brown Harris Stevens is handling the sale. More details, here.

A CASINO and a FERRIS WHEEL for the Vacant Lot?

The proposal in a rendering by the Soloviev Group. No word yet from No. 5 (to the right of the Ferris wheel) or No. 25 (far right). 

Introducing Stefan Soloviev, son of the late Sheldon Solow (who died in 2020) and now the billionaire owner of 9 West 57th Street, which made his father famous, along with countless other properties. Including a three-block-long stretch along First Avenue near the U.N.

In an interview with Bloomberg last Monday, Soloviev announced he is currently in talks with Las Vegas gaming companies for a venture to develop the site ‒ if he wins one of the three casino licenses the state is issuing. His current plan includes a 1,000-room casino/hotel, a four-acre park, a Ferris wheel and a museum dedicated to democracy. "It's really exciting to take that site and look at what it can become," said Soloviev.

Your reactions are welcome in the comments.

Many thanks to David Reiff for the tip.

REAL ESTATE REPORT: What's Your Apartment Worth?

Recent Tudor City sale prices via Streeteasy.

 

The Cloister 

$970,000, Apt 201, two bedroom

$875,695, Apt 905, two bedroom

Essex House

$625,000, Apt 808, one bedroom

$460,000, Apt 111, one bedroom

Haddon Hall
$999,500, Apt 901C, two bedroom
$949,000, Apt 701C, two bedroom

Hardwicke Hall
$825,000, Apt 103C, two bedroom
$820,000, Apt 405B, two bedroom

Hatfield House   
$345,000, Apt 901A, studio
$315,000, Apt 401A, studio

The Hermitage 
The Hermitage is a rental-only building. Recent monthly rentals:
$6,495, Apt 305, three bedroom

$5,595, Apt 204, two bedroom

The Manor  

$975,000, Apt PH 17, one bedroom

$525,000, Apt 418, one bedroom

Prospect Tower, No. 45
$495,000, Apt 1907, one bedroom
$485,000, Apt 2011, one bedroom

Tudor Gardens, No. 2
$2,495,000, Apt 11AS, three bedroom

$1,190,000, Apt 5BN, two bedroom

Tudor Tower, No. 25
$940,000, Apt 1010, two bedroom
$825,000, Apt 1212/1214, two bedroom

Windsor Tower, No. 5
$2,999,900, Apt PH C, two bedroom
$605,000, Apt 1532, one bedroom

Woodstock Tower

$899,000, Apt 2807/2809, two bedroom

$555,000, Apt 918, one bedroom

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The revelation that the million dollar studio is at almost at hand is the big news this cycle. Penthouse 3C of Haddon Hall has just been listed at a cool $995,ooo by Douglas Elliman.

The view from the outside is rather simple, a square-ish box atop a rooftop. 

Inside, it's business as usual. The room is good-sized but nothing special, save for having windows on three sides. The website helpfully adds "it's also possible to build out onto the terrace." Hmmm.

In the end, it's all about the outdoor space, all 1,040 square feet of it. There's nothing wrong with the northern view from the west terrace (below) either.  

REAL ESTATE REPORT: What's Your Apartment Worth?

Our last survey of recent sale prices in Tudor City took place in February, eons ago. Though there was little activity March through June (when in-person inspections were banned), sales began to pick up after the ban was lifted in July. As for the future, we're betting on the story that the Times ran the other day: "New York Real Estate Is On the Mend." 

Recent Tudor City sale prices via Streeteasy.

Vintage sign in No. 5's lobby

The Cloister 

$750,000, Apt 101, two bedroom
$510,000, Apt 614, one bedroom

Essex House
$1,045,000, Apt 507, two bedroom
$750,000, Apt 101, two bedroom

Haddon Hall
$999,500, Apt 901C, two bedroom
$925,000, Apt 603C, two bedroom

Hardwicke Hall
$885,000, Apt 401B, two bedroom
$359,000, Apt 306, studio

Hatfield House   
$305,000, Apt 206, studio
$350,000, Apt 1404A, studio

The Hermitage 
The Hermitage is a rental-only building. Recent monthly rentals:
$3,246, Apt 201C, two bedroom

$2,795, Apt 204C, two bedroom

The Manor  

$522,000, Apt 1009, one bedroom

$570,000, Apt 207, one bedroom

Prospect Tower, No. 45
$570,000, Apt 1618, one bedroom
$335,000, Apt 1321, studio

Tudor Gardens, No. 2
$645,000, Apt 10KN, one bedroom
$1,349,000, Apt 15CN, two bedroom

Tudor Tower, No. 25
$380,000, Apt 1116, studio
$320,000, Apt 1992, studio

Windsor Tower, No. 5
$525,000, Apt 1920, one bedroom
$585,000, Apt 1732, one bedroom

Woodstock Tower

$620,000, Apt 2018, one bedroom

$445,000, Apt 409, studio

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Now on the market, this cycle's Million-Dollar Club includes a $1,250,000 three bedroom in No. 25, a $1,295,000 two bedroom in Essex House, and a $1,500,000 two bedroom in No. 2. The Big Ticket winner is Penthouse 9 in Windsor Tower, which has been been on and off the market for several years, and now relisted for $1,900,000.

RENTAL OF THE DAY

Though this blog is usually preoccupied with the past, a newly listed rental in Windsor Tower has caught our attention: the slickly renovated Apartment 1135. As shown below, it's not your typical Tudor City studio, more like Architectural Digest's idea of a Tudor City studio.

It can be yours, for $2,450 a month ‒ furnished ‒ at City Connections.

Chandelier-equipped, with an East River‒facing window.

Reverse view. Industrial-chic doors and flooring lend some edge. 

The kitchen.

The bath.

REAL ESTATE REPORT: What's Your Apartment Worth?

Our occasional survey of recent sale prices in Tudor City, via Streeteasy:

Vintage sign in No. 5's lobby

The Cloister 

$290,000, Apt 515, studio
$790,000, Apt 111, two bedroom

Essex House
$1,045,000, Apt 507, two bedroom
$560,000, Apt 408, one bedroom

Haddon Hall
$825,000, Apt 504C, two bedroom
$925,000, Apt 603C, two bedroom

Hardwicke Hall
$885,000, Apt 401B, two bedroom
$359,000, Apt 306, studio

Hatfield House   
$305,000, Apt 206, studio
$350,000, Apt 1404A, studio

The Hermitage 
The Hermitage is a rental-only building. Recent monthly rentals:
$3,095, Apt 802, one bedroom

$1,895, Apt 406, studio

The Manor  

$510,000, Apt 720, one bedroom

$495,000, Apt 502, one bedroom

Prospect Tower, No. 45
$570,000, Apt 1618, one bedroom
$420,810, Apt 403, studio

Tudor Gardens, No. 2
$665,000, Apt 11EN, one bedroom
$1,000,000, Apt 5BS, two bedroom

Tudor Tower, No. 25
$300,000, Apt 517, studio
$545,000, Apt 619, one bedroom

Windsor Tower, No. 5
$530,000, Apt 704, one bedroom
$485,000, Apt 1331, one bedroom

Woodstock Tower

$339,000, Apt 2403, studio

$495,000, Apt 718, one bedroom

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Currently for sale, this cycle's Big Tickets are both in No. 2: a $1,545,000 three bedroom, and a $1,350,000 two bedroom. Last cycle's Big Ticket, Penthouse 9 in Windsor Tower, has been delisted.

REAL ESTATE REPORT: What's Your Apartment Worth?

Our occasional survey of recent sale prices in Tudor City, via Streeteasy:

Vintage sign in No. 5's lobby

The Cloister 

$290,000, Apt 515, studio
$790,000, Apt 111, two bedroom

Essex House
$1,590,000, Apt PH1, two bedroom
$850,000, Apt 1005, two bedroom

Haddon Hall
$825,000, Apt 504C, two bedroom
$925,000, Apt 603C, two bedroom

Hardwicke Hall
$885,000, Apt 401B, two bedroom
$359,000, Apt 306, studio

Hatfield House   
$305,000, Apt 206, studio
$350,000, Apt 1404A, studio

The Hermitage 
The Hermitage is a rental-only building. Recent monthly rentals:
$5,100, Apt 405, three bedroom

$3,195, Apt 502, two bedroom

The Manor  

$825,000, Apt 921, two bedroom

$950,000, PH10, two bedroom

Prospect Tower, No. 45
$562,000, Apt 1504, one bedroom
$615,000, Apt 507, one bedroom

Tudor Gardens, No. 2
$850,000, Apt 12AS, one bedroom
$1,000,000, Apt 5BS, two bedroom

Tudor Tower, No. 25
$365,000 Apt 502, studio
$565,000, Apt 1805, one bedroom

Windsor Tower, No. 5
$413,000, Apt 234, studio
$551,000, Apt 711, one bedroom

Woodstock Tower

$415,000, Apt 416, studio

$570,000, Apt 1210, one bedroom

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The atmospheric Penthouse 9

This cycle's Big Ticket remains Penthouse 9 in Windsor Tower, now discounted to $2,225,000 from its original $2,850,000 price. A two-bedroom, two-bath triplex, it includes a fireplace-equipped double-height living room and a 1,000-sq-ft private roof terrace. Monthly maintenance: $5,030. See its Brown Harris Stevens listing here.

Elsewhere in the million dollar‒plus club are a $1,095,000 two bedroom in No. 45, a $1,395,000 three bedroom in No. 25, and a $1,495,000 three bedroom in No. 2.

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In other news, there's a new book out about the complex written by Windsor Tower resident Lawrence Samuel. Published by The History Press, it's entitled Tudor City and can be found on Amazon, eBay, etc.