300 E 40th St

The Churchill

The Churchill represents a type of building developers no longer create in New York City. Unlike contemporary condos with flat designs made either of luxury limestone or glass and steel, this 1960s co-op has a fountained driveway, white-glove concierge services and a portrait in the lobby of the namesake figure, Winston Churchill. “One of the main draws is that the building is impeccably maintained,” says Geri Epstein, a real estate agent who has sold in the building for years. “The board is very proactive, and there are building staff who have worked there for 20 years. It’s very hotel-like living.” The rooftop pool is an enticing modern touch, and because owners can start subletting their unit as soon as they purchase, the building appeals to residents and investors. Walking past the cursive gold signage and into the double-height lobby, owners can enjoy a quiet and refined space with an old-school charm, not unlike the Tudor City towers down the streets. There are many studios and one bedrooms, and according to Epstein, it’s common for two- and three-bedroom apartments to sell internally to the owners of those smaller units when they’re ready to trade up to a larger space. “What happens in The Churchill stays in The Churchill,” Epstein says. “Because if someone has a one bedroom, and then a two bedroom opens up, they really don’t leave the building.” Studios have a sleeping alcove, and some have corner windows or a small balcony. Some of the one-bedroom units have balconies and walk-in closets, and some larger ones have an extra half bathroom and dining alcove. Smaller two bedrooms are actually one bedrooms where the dining alcove has been converted into a second bedroom, and some larger ones can be converted into three bedrooms. Both two- and three-bedroom units have balconies. The views, which can include glimpses of the East River, vary depending on which side of the building a unit is located on. Between owners converting, combining and updating interiors to match their preferences, finishes can vary widely. A unit with original parquet floors can also have slate flooring and granite counters in the kitchen, while a unit with modern plank floors can have a white minimalist kitchen with subway tile backsplash. Bathrooms can incorporate everything from brass accents, marble-inspired tiling and walk-in showers, to older wood-framed medicine cabinets. Dishwashers are common, and because in-unit washer-dryers aren’t allowed, every floor has its own shared laundry room. Considering the building’s views, amenities and white-glove service, prices are reasonable for this part of town. Studios range from $650,000 to $700,000, and one bedrooms range from $700,000 to $1.2 million for units over 1,000 square feet with a balcony. Two bedrooms are priced from $1.1 million to $2 million, depending on their location within the building, and three bedrooms, which aren’t available often, are priced above $2.5 million. Subleases can be 12 or 24 months in length, and they include an annual fee based on the monthly maintenance. While owners can bring their pet dogs, subletters are only allowed service animals. And when owners sell, there’s no flip tax. The rooftop pool and shaded lounge areas, which include an outdoor gas fireplace, are The Churchill’s crowning amenities. Plus, they’re the best spot to take in the skyline and river views. A fitness center and saunas round out the shared recreational spaces, and the public underground parking garage adds a practical convenience. In addition to helping residents coordinate their housekeeping and dry cleaning, the front desk staff also offers valet parking. Despite being a short walk from Midtown office buildings, Murray Hill has a lot of residential high-rises and streets that quiet down at night. The nearby East River Esplanade is great for walks and bike rides along the water, and a few blocks west, Bryant Park has pop-up vendors and events throughout the year. Casual eateries on Third and Lexington avenues make it easy to find nearly every kind of cuisine, and a Gristedes across the street is convenient for grocery shopping. At Grand Central Terminal, less than a 10-minute walk west, the 4, 5 and 6 trains run up and down the entire east side. The 7 train also goes crosstown from Grand Central and to the Mets’ stadium in Queens. Buses offer downtown and uptown service on Second and Third avenues, and the 34th Street pier has water ferries. On-ramps for FDR Drive and the Queens Midtown are also right down the street.