Back in June of 2015, YIMBY reported on plans for an 18-story and 29-unit condominium development coming to 40 East End Avenue, on the corner of East 81st Street. Today, we have the first look at the project’s design, thanks to photos by Tectonic.
At 18 floors and 210 feet to its rooftop, the building will barely be noticeable by Manhattan standards, but it will still be a positive improvement over the old structure, which was attractive but fairly run-down. Unfortunately, the redevelopment will result in a declining housing stock, with the 40 rentals yielding to only 30 condominiums, despite the massive overall size increase.
While the Upper East Side is one of the most generously-zoned neighborhoods in all of the five boroughs, the state-mandated cap on residential FAR prevents developers from building to the area’s true capacity, which has been further enhanced by the opening of the Second Avenue Subway.
As additional phases continue the line’s northward trek into Harlem and southern advance down to the Financial District, sites like 40 East End Avenue will benefit enormously, with much easier access to the rest of Manhattan. With the 4, 5, and 6 trains also serving the neighborhood, there is no reason that the Upper East Side shouldn’t be the first example of residential FAR maximums exceeding 10 (or 12, with inclusionary bonuses).
40 East End Avenue, photo by Tectonic
As for 40 East End Avenue, though the on-site image isn’t the most comprehensive, the actual appearance should be fairly attractive, with a seemingly contextual design by Deborah Berke Partners. With about 81,000 square feet of residential space divided amongst 29 units, the condos will average over 2,700 square feet apiece, so the final product is likely to be finished quite nicely.
Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel is the architect of record, and the Lightstone Group is developing. Completion is expected in the summer of 2019.
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Whichever I forever agreed with work in progress.
Sorry to say, but looking from my window this building looks like some jail..
Those huge windows are vierd