737 Park Ave

737 Park

For home buyers who have toured countless buildings looking for the right fit, 737 Park Avenue is the type of residence that puts an end to the search. Its mix of old and new strikes a delicate balance that can be hard to find, especially in this Upper East Side area, where both historical charm and luxury are the norm. “737 Park is this traditional, super elegant prewar building,” says Juliette Janssens, associate broker and senior global real estate advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty. “It’s super special considering, in a sea of co-ops along Park Avenue, this one is a condo. And to be on this corner at 71st and Park is just the most incredible location.” Originally built in 1940 by architecture firm Sam Minskoff & Sons and designed by Sylvan Bien, the 20-story tower operated as rentals for 71 years before it was purchased in 2011 by high-profile developer Harry Macklowe. As with many rental-to-condo conversions, there were challenges at the onset. In this case, Macklowe, often considered one of the city’s most litigious landlords, encountered several disputes from existing tenants. Though the lawsuits received a lot of press back in the day, any legal matters have long subsided. Today, touring buyers will simply encounter the high-end craftsmanship and design that came of the conversion, which was completed in 2013. To execute his vision — old-school style meets modern luxury — Macklowe brought on three design firms. Handel Architects tackled the architecture and interior design of the units, while MdeAS Architects transformed the common spaces. Acheson Doyle Partners Architects, known for their extensive preservation work, restored the building’s original facade. “[Together,] they did a complete gut reno of the entire building,” Janssens says. “You have this prewar facade and a beautifully restored lobby when you walk in, and then the apartments themselves are more contemporary in feel. It’s kind of a surprise in that sense.” Walking into the units, it’s hard to believe that the building isn’t brand new. During the conversion, Handel Architects enlarged and reconfigured the apartment layouts to create spacious units suitable for the modern-day buyer. And not only do the bright, airy apartments represent a stark difference from the prewar facade and traditional lobby, but they mirror the modernity seen in brand new luxury towers, despite being designed over a decade ago. “The units were done in a very tasteful way,” Janssens says. “My partner and I originally sold this building for Macklowe, so I’ve sold a lot of units here. What made people want to buy was that the apartments are finished so beautifully. They’re outfitted with top of the line appliances and finishes, heated bathroom floors, closets that are nicely done. You have beautiful oak flooring, the windows were replaced, central air conditioning added.” The eat-in kitchens and bathrooms, drenched in sleek white finishes, look incredibly modern. For both, Handel Architects chose to feature flat-panel cabinets sans hardware, polished chrome fixtures and large slabs of lightly veined Italian marble. In the kitchen, home cooks will be happy to find a full suite of stainless steel Miele appliances. The building started with over 60 units, though some owners have combined apartments since then. There are only two one-bedroom condos in the building, most recently sold in 2016 and 2020. The two-bedroom apartments, which typically hover around 1,800 square feet, come on the market more often, with prices between $2.8 million and $4.35 million. Most three-bedroom units cover between 2,900 and 3,200 square feet, with prices ranging from $5.2 million to $9 million. Many of the four- and five-bedroom condos have sold in the $13 million range. The building’s magnificently proportioned penthouse, which was sold in white-box condition, became the second most expensive penthouse sale along Park Avenue, garnering $32.6 million at the time of its sale in 2015. Although the units feature top-notch design and command high prices, the building’s common spaces are rather understated compared to other condos across Manhattan. In the lobby, MdeAS Architects restored original features like the terrazzo floors, while adding period-sensitive embellishments like custom crystal chandeliers and burl wood paneling. The fitness center is well-appointed, too. “It’s on a lower level of the building, but what’s so special about it is that it has a big skylight, so there’s this fantastic light streaming in throughout the day,” Janssens says. There is also a children’s playroom and a large space for building-wide holiday parties or private events. The room includes a catering kitchen and connects to a nice outdoor courtyard. Even though common spaces are limited, buyers can expect a refined lifestyle. “This building has white glove service,” Janssens notes. Between the 24-hour door attendant, porter, elevator operators and live-in resident manager, owners are well cared for. “You really are buying into this instant lifestyle where you can just show up with your toothbrush. That’s very appealing to a lot of buyers.” This corner condominium is one avenue from the designer boutiques along Madison Avenue (including Ralph Lauren’s flagship store and Ladurée pastry shop) and two avenues from Central Park. Highly-rated Italian, French, Asian and Latin American eateries are all available within a five-block radius, and Morton Williams Supermarket along Third Avenue is the nearest grocery store. As for transit, the 4, 5 and 6 trains are accessible 0.2 miles away at 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, while the N, Q and R trains are 0.3 miles away, with an entrance at 72nd Street and Second Avenue. The nearest buses run one block west or north, along Madison Avenue or 72nd Street respectively.