340 E 64th St

The St. Tropez

When the luxury residences at the St. Tropez building on the Upper East Side first went on the market in 1965, they were advertised in the brochures and floorplan printouts as “New York’s first condominium in the sky”. While the building certainly wasn’t the first towering residential condominium in Manhattan, it was one of the first high-rises in the area, with 300 units spread across 35 stories. The luxury condominium has aged well over the years with its modest brown brick-clad facade and interiors that have since been renovated and well-maintained. Nowadays, the development draws in buyers looking for a reasonably priced resale property that offers a certain standard of living. “The buyers who just closed on the unit I was representing wanted to live here because they get the luxury condo experience in a convenient location at an accessible price,” says Sharon Kantor, real estate agent at NextStopNY, who recently sold a three-bedroom residence in the building. “There’s easy access to all the east side highways, bridges and tunnels: the Queensboro Bridge, the FDR and the Queens Midtown Tunnel. It’s the best of both worlds; a very ‘neighborhoody’ neighborhood that’s great for those commuting.” Because the building was completed in 1965, each condo differs. Some are maintained with their initial interior design, while others may have been renovated four times throughout various ownerships. Most are somewhere in between, with several updates that pair nicely with the original fittings. From studios to three bedrooms, 300 residences are spread across 35 stories — with about 12-16 units per floor, give or take. A one-bedroom on the 8th floor with a breakfast bar and gigantic walk-in closet sold for $1.5 million in July 2024. Similarly, a three-bedroom on the 9th floor with a grand living room and formal eat-in kitchen last sold for $1.9 million in June 2024. The grandest of listings, a combined penthouse on the 17th floor with 4,400 square feet, last sold for $6.5 million in November 2015. The St. Tropez is a full-service luxury condominium with a round-the-clock door attendant and live-in resident manager. Upon entering the building, residents can access the private driveway with 24-hour valet service and parking. Subsidized bike storage are available upon request. Inside, the lobby looks like a mashup of loud, colorful early 2000s interior finishes paired with modern-style minimal furniture. On the upper floors, there is a tenant’s lounge with a theater-style viewing room and a children’s playroom with kid-size furniture, toys and games. “There’s space for a grand old party in the lounge,” says Kantor. “It’s also good for teenagers who want to hang out outside the apartment. [The amenities spaces] are perfect for when you need your own space because, as you know, we have none in Manhattan.” However, the highlight of the amenities is the rooftop pool and landscaped terrace with panoramic skyline views and bountiful plush lounge furniture. Primarily residential and mostly affluent, Lenox Hill is known for its historic palatial brick-clad townhouses and sleek contemporary glass curtain-walled high-rise new builds. This mixture of old and new housing is amongst New York City’s most beloved cultural institutions, including the Park Avenue Armory, the landmarked Upper East Side venue for avant-garde visual and performing arts, and The Frick Collection, a museum housing the art collection of industrialist Henry Clay Frick. Meanwhile, those interested in less educational pursuits can relish the luxury boutiques dotted along Madison Avenue, including Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Loro Piana and many more. Ladies who lunch can be seen decked out in designer duds dining at places like Sarabeth’s, eating $40 Cobb salads. Of course, one cannot mention living in Lenox Hill without highlighting Central Park, Manhattan’s largest green space with notorious eastside sites, including Bethesda Terrace, Central Park Boathouse and Central Park Zoo. For groceries, residents can shop at nearby markets, including Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and Morton Williams. Residents can walk two blocks to Lexington Avenue/63rd Street Station to access the F and Q trains. A bit further south, on Lexington Avenue, 59th Street Station services the N, R, W, 4, 5, and 6 trains. A Citi Bike station on 63rd Street is convenient for local transportation and nearby trips.