Milton Coste

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker

(917) 416-7433

SOLD FOR $11,500,000

· Closed October 27, 2022

42 E 81st Street

$11,500,000

$2,185 per sq ft

42 E 81st Street

Upper East Side, Manhattan

MLS® #RLS10806213

RLS at REBNY

Listing by Compass

6

Bedrooms

6.5

Baths

5,262

Sq. Ft.

1899

Year Built

Quick Summary

Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 6 full, 1 half
Living Area 5,262 sq ft
Year Built 1899
Neighborhood Upper East Side

Property Highlights

  • Outdoor Space: Building Terrace, Terrace, Balcony
  • Style: Prewar architecture
  • Character: Pre-war building (1899)

Property Details

Type Single Family Residence
Total Rooms 12
Baths 5 Full, 1 Half
Pets Yes
Cross Street Madison Avenue/Park Avenue
Year Built 1899
Living Area 5,262 sq ft
Architectural Style Prewar
Parcel # 1492-0046
Block/Lot 1492/46

Description

42 East 81st Street is a charming historic townhouse on one of the most coveted tree-lined blocks of the Upper East Side. Originally constructed in 1872, this 5 story townhouse measures 5,262 square feet and consists of six bedrooms five and a half baths, central air, and elevator access to all floors. Upon entering the residence, a large formal dining room awaits, with views of the forecourt's beautiful greenery through an oversized window. The open plan eat-in kitchen is complete with a center island and Italian serpentine marble counters, Thermador four burner cooktop with grill and hood vented to the outside, double Thermador wall ovens with warming drawer, Subzero refrigerator and freezer, with two additional integrated under counter Subzero refrigerator drawers, and two Miele dishwashers. Adjacent the kitchen is a spacious breakfast area overlooking the south facing garden complete with a planted boarder and outdoor lighting. An elegant grand staircase leads you to the parlor floor which features two large entertaining rooms. The formal living room is north facing over the quiet tree lined street, and boasts high ceilings, oversized double height windows, and a gas fireplace with original marble mantle. Equal in scale, the south facing sitting room also features high ceilings and a gas fireplace with original marble mantle. Off the sitting room is a stunning wrought iron balcony which overlooks the garden below. The third floor is made up of the primary bedroom and library or additional bedroom. The primary bedroom is south facing and has abundant natural light, a gas fireplace with marble surround, and boasts beautiful wood paneling and crown moldings. A shared bathroom with dual vanities, jacuzzi tub, steam shower, and radiant heated floors joins the two rooms and dressing area. The fourth and fifth floors each consist of two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, while the fifth floor also has an office with built in desk, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and additional storage space. The basement has a finished recreation room, laundry and two storage rooms, and houses the mechanicals. This extraordinary home is located one block from Central Park on beautiful tree-lined East 81 Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue. World-class destinations are just moments away, including the city's finest restaurants, shops, boutiques, galleries, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums along Museum Mile.

Features & Amenities

Exterior Features

Balcony Garden Building Terrace Terrace Balcony

Building Information

Stories 5
Style Prewar

The Upper East Side remains the gold standard for classic New York elegance. Known for 'Museum Mile' and its quiet, tree-lined streets, the neighborhood offers a refined lifestyle away from the midtown bustle. While famous for its historic cooperatives, the area has seen a recent surge in ultra-luxury new construction condos, particularly along the Second Avenue Subway corridor, making it a top choice for both traditionalists and modern buyers.

Upper East Side Live Market Data

View Neighborhood

Active Listings

309

Median Asking Price

$1.39M

Median $/Sqft

$1,476

Avg Days on Market

N/A

New This Week

8

Price Reduced

25%

Sold (30 Days)

27

Median Sale Price

$1.44M

Live data from RLS at REBNY • Updated 4/4/26, 11:22 AM EST

Similar Listings in Upper East Side

View All

Location

Loading map...

42 E 81st Street, Upper East Side, New York County • Near Madison Avenue/Park Avenue

Floor Plans

Floor Plan
MLS® ID: RLS10806213
First Listed: 3/1/2022
Price Changed: 11/3/2022
Closed: 10/27/2022
Contract Date: 3/1/2022

Listing Courtesy of Compass - Michael Graves

Listing Contact: (212) 932-2222

Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York's Residential Listing Service (the "RLS"). The information contained in this listing has not been verified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is for the consumer's personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property. This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., all rights reserved. This advertisement does not suggest that the broker has a listing in this property or properties or that any property is currently available.

Broker Commission Disclosure: Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.

Buyer Notice: Planning to work with a buyer's broker? A Buyer Representation Agreement is required before your broker can show you properties, per REBNY/UCBA guidelines (effective 2025). You may attend open houses independently without one.

RLS at REBNY

RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 4/4/2026 at 3:22 PM UTC

Buying in NYC? Start Here

NYC Closing Costs: Complete Breakdown

Buyer and seller closing costs itemized, including what to budget for.

Read article

NYC Mansion Tax: 2026 Guide

How the tiered mansion tax works for purchases over $1M.

Read article

NYC Real Estate Market Report 2026

Data-driven analysis of prices, inventory, and trends across NYC.

Read article

Interested in this property?

Get a response within 2 hours

Your info is secure and never shared.

View Active Listings Call Milton