42 E 81st Street
MLS® #RLS10806213
Listing by Compass
6
Bedrooms
6.5
Baths
5,262
Sq. Ft.
1899
Year Built
Quick Summary
Property Highlights
- Outdoor Space: Building Terrace, Terrace, Balcony
- Style: Prewar architecture
- Character: Pre-war building (1899)
Property Details
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
Building Information
About Upper East Side
View All Upper East Side ListingsThe 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 NeighborhoodActive 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
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Location
42 E 81st Street, Upper East Side, New York County • Near Madison Avenue/Park Avenue
Floor Plans
Listing Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) via Trestle API. Updated in real-time.
Market Data
RLS® at REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York). Live data updated in real-time.
Map & Location
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Listing Courtesy of Compass - Michael Graves
Listing Contact: (212) 932-2222
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RLS Data display by Keller Williams NYC. Data last updated on 4/4/2026 at 3:22 PM UTC