250 E 53rd St

The Veneto

Sharing the name of a northeast region in Italy, The Veneto is imbued with a certain European flair. A substantial spiral of a chandelier floats over the polished marble floor of the grand, double-height lobby. Italian names are given to amenity spaces: “Terzo Piano” is the resident lounge, a serenity garden is dubbed “Giardino” and the children’s playspace is “Arcobaleno,” which translates to “rainbow.” The 2008 building is the product of a partnership between several heavy hitters in New York City real estate. Developed by Related Companies, the 34-floor, 137-unit condominium features a contemporary stone and brick facade by award-winning architectural firm David Brody Bond. Adam D. Tihany, whose work includes Thomas Keller’s Per Se and the Mandarin Oriental Lobby and Lounge in Hong Kong, designed the building’s interiors, and premier firm H. M. White landscape architects created the condo’s outdoor space. According to agent Dan Gotlieb of Digs Realty Group who has done business in the building, all of these factors contribute to the building’s appeal. “It’s a full-service condominium building in a prime East Midtown location,” he says. “And it’s a very well-run building. People are always mentioning that the staff is so good.” Homes in The Veneto include one-bedroom to four-bedroom residences with city views. One-bedroom prices start at about $950,000 and residences measure up to 1,045 square feet; some units have dining alcoves. Most apartments are two-bedroom homes, measuring up to 1,780 square feet and asking $1.6 million to $2.6 million. Three-bedrooms measure up to 1,939 square feet, with listings starting at $2.2 million and four-bedroom homes ask about $4 million and up. Layouts are generous, with nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows with UV protection and Brazilian cherry wood flooring. Kitchens feature marble floors, granite counters and cabinets with etched glass panels. A Viking gas range, Sub-Zero refrigerator and wine cooler and a Bosch dishwasher make up the suite of premium appliances. Apartments also feature a Miele washer and dryer. Bathrooms include custom-designed walnut double vanities, luxurious Kohler soaking tubs and travertine marble flooring and counters. Satin chrome fixtures from Villi and Villi finish the space. Amenities include the outdoor space, which is equipped with a gas grill, a resident entertainment lounge and a children’s playroom. Fitness Lifestyle by Equinox manages the gym and offers concierge service. The building is staffed by a 24-hour door attendant and concierge, and a parking garage with valet service is located in the building. “You pay for it, but it’s good to be able to take the elevator to your car,” says Gotlieb. Related Companies also manages the building. “As far as management companies go, they are known as one of the best,” opines Gotlieb “They are responsive to issues; they have a streamlined way of processing payments and inquiries.” The Veneto is on East 53rd Street in the east side neighborhood of Turtle Bay, at the border of Upper East Side enclave Sutton Place. To say the block between Second and Third Avenues is incredibly convenient is an understatement. Businesses include a barber, locksmith, a new age bookstore and two nail salons; a sports bar, graffiti-covered punk rock dive bar and an upscale “saloon” also call the block home. Italian, Japanese, Indian, Mexican and Thai are among the restaurant options. Insomnia Cookies operates a store here, and a Starbucks is on the corner. Grocery shopping can be done at D’agostino’s at 53rd Street and First Avenue. The East River and Peter Detmold Park and Dog Run, a small and shaded enclave tucked along the waterway, are three blocks to the east. A recently unveiled section of the East Midtown Waterfront Esplanade and East River Greenway Project, with landscaping, walking and biking paths, runs from 53rd to 61st Street. Public transit is similarly convenient, with an entrance to the E and M trains at the end of the block and the 4 and 6 trains stopping at Lexington and 51st Street. An entrance to the FDR Drive is located at 53rd Street for easy travel uptown and downtown on Manhattan’s east side, and at 59th Street, the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge connects to Queens, Interstates 495 and 278 and Long Island. Grand Central Terminal is a 10-minute train ride away, providing access to the Metro-North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road. Laguardia Airport can be reached in about 40 minutes by car.