RealtyLens
for saleRealtyLens property overview
$4,995,000

541 E 72nd St Unit 2/3

New York, NY, 10021
View more New York, NY property pages
5Beds
6.5Baths
4,700Sqft
$1063$/sqft

Listing Notes

INCREDIBLE RARE OPPORTUNITY to own a sprawling 4, 700 square foot 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath duplex for under $5 million! MUST SEE this country house in the city featuring large-scale rooms, a magnificent mahogany staircase, air-conditioning throughout, beautiful hardwood floors, and custom soundproof glazed windows. Additional features include prewar character and charm, 9- foot ceilings, original inlaid fireplace surrounds, ornate wooden mantles, crown moldings, and numerous light-filled windows overlooking the majestic East River. From both floors, there are spectacular waterfront views spanning 60-feet corner to corner! An elegant entry foyer and powder room lead to a grand sunlit double living room with stunning water views and two wood-burning fireplaces. On the north facing side of the apartment is an open concept kitchen / dining area connected to a butler's pantry perfect for informal gatherings or formal entertaining. Traditional kitchen includes a FiveStar range and hood, Bosch appliances, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and two refrigerated beverage drawers. The spacious second floor includes four additional bedrooms, three of which have ensuite baths. A luxurious wood paneled study off the top of the staircase opens to a large den including a third wood-burning fireplace. From there, enjoy your very own full-sized laundry room! Sunlight and serene river views create a private sanctuary nestled above the iron street lamps and tree-lined cobblestones of this famed 72nd Street cul-de-sac. Full of storied history, this legendary piece of New York City is the former residence of renowned journalist, writer, and Editor of The Paris Review, George Plimpton. Owned by the Plimpton family for nearly 60 years, the home has hosted iconic parties for New York's literary elite and Society including the likes of Truman Capote, Paul McCartney, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. It is located in a series of row houses known as The Black and Whites, with their high-gloss red lacquer doors and distinctive two-tone exteriors. 541 East 72nd Street is an established pet-friendly Coop with four connected buildings and a live-in Superintendent / Resident Manager who handles daily package deliveries. The 541 building has 5 floors with 2 units per floor (A & B), some of which have been combined. This duplex is the combination of 4 units spanning the entire 2nd and 3rd floors. In total, there are 7 units in the 541 building. The other 3 buildings all have A, B, C, & D units, so are larger than 541. A full time-handyman assists the live-in Super and the Coop has a bike room and parking garage located directly behind the buildings. Its location is walking distance to numerous Upper East Side schools, as well as the 72nd Street Subway Station and Q train. Residents enjoy not only privacy and anonymity, but secure access through double doors and key fob entry, as well as a video intercom system. The Black and Whites provide a unique and charming escape from the daily hustle and bustle of city life with their peaceful waterfront location and quaint little nook on the Upper East Side. Please note the home is currently empty as seen in the unfurnished photographs. Included are previously furnished pictures. THE OWNER ALSO OWNS A FIRST FLOOR STUDIO APARTMENT THAT IS NOW BEING OFFERED FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT CAN ALSO BE PURCHASED AS PART OF A SALES TRANSACTION FOR BOTH APARTMENTS.

Market Insights

Below nearby median-44%

$1063/sqft vs a nearby median of $1908/sqft.

Nearby median$1908/sqft
Nearby properties12
Property size4,700 sqft
  • -44% versus the nearby median price per square foot.
  • Price history is limited, so current comps matter more than trend alone.
  • 4,700 sqft creates a usable price-per-square-foot read.

Pricing Read

Yardstick fair value$8.96M$8.01M$9.92M · 33% confidence
vs ask $5.00M−$3.97M (−79.5%)

Asking price is about 79.5% below the fair value — likely to draw competing offers if it's still on market.

$1,908/sqft median across 4 tight comps × 4,700 sqft= $8.96M
  • Days-on-market gravity−$269k −3.0%
  • Pre-war character+$224k +2.5%
  • Transit access+$45k +0.5%
Cumulative NYC adjustments+$0+0.0%

Property Read

FreshnessVerification recommended

The page is useful for research, but the status and price should be verified before acting.

Market Position-44% vs nearby

The asking price per square foot is below the nearby median, which can be worth a closer comp check.

Price MovementInitial price point

Price history is still limited; review again as more market activity becomes available.

Diligence Read4 items to check
AI ReadinessReady to analyze
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Generated from the facts shown on this page and nearby market data. Not a professional appraisal.

Listing Details

Days on market
391 days
Last price change
No change recorded
Listed
Apr 16, 2025
Photos
22 photos
Property type
coop
Status
for sale

Features & Amenities

FireplaceViewWasher DryerWater ViewTwo Or More StoriesGarage 1 Or MoreWaterfrontModern KitchenOpen KitchenHigh CeilingEnsuiteRiver ViewStunning ViewsViewsOpen ConceptHardwood FloorsDen

Photos

Building Facts

Year built
1894
Stories
5
Total units
11
Residential units
10
Building area
11,550 sqft
Lot size
2,813 sqft
Land use
Multi-family walk-up buildings
Building class
C6

From NYC public records where available.

Price History

May 4, 2026Initial record
$4,995,000for sale

Public Records

DOB violations0 open

9 total recorded against the building

HPD violations0 open

5 total recorded

ACRIS documents91

Tax-lot deed, mortgage, and transfer records on file

311 calls (12 mo)8,535

Top: illegal parking

Top complaint types in ZIP 10021

  • Illegal Parking1,271
  • HEAT/HOT WATER534
  • Noise447
  • Noise - Residential380
  • Vendor Enforcement349

Recent DOB

  • Feb 27, 2001V*-DOB VIOLATION - DISMISSED · LL6291-LOCAL LAW 62/91 - BOILERS BOILER REQUIRED
  • Feb 27, 2001V*-DOB VIOLATION - DISMISSED · LL6291-LOCAL LAW 62/91 - BOILERS BOILER REQUIRED
  • Feb 7, 2000V*-DOB VIOLATION - DISMISSED · LL6291-LOCAL LAW 62/91 - BOILERS BOILER REQUIRED
  • Mar 16, 1999V*-DOB VIOLATION - DISMISSED · LL6291-LOCAL LAW 62/91 - BOILERS BOILER REQUIRED

Recent HPD

  • Mar 15, 2023Class A · (A) § HMC:FILE ANNUAL BEDBUG REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH HPD RULE AS DESCRIBED ON THE BACK OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION OR AS DESCRIBED ON HPD S WEBSITE, WWW.NYC.GOV\HPD, SEARCH BE...
  • Feb 15, 2022Class A · (A) § HMC:FILE ANNUAL BEDBUG REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH HPD RULE AS DESCRIBED ON THE BACK OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION OR AS DESCRIBED ON HPD S WEBSITE, WWW.NYC.GOV\HPD, SEARCH BE...
  • Apr 1, 2021Class A · (A) § HMC:FILE ANNUAL BEDBUG REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH HPD RULE AS DESCRIBED ON THE BACK OF THIS NOTICE OF VIOLATION OR AS DESCRIBED ON HPD S WEBSITE, WWW.NYC.GOV\HPD, SEARCH BE...
  • Oct 25, 2019Class I · §27-2107 ADM CODE OWNER FAILED TO FILE A VALID REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT AS REQUIRED BY ADM CODE §27-2097 AND IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CIVIL PENALTIES, PROHIBITE...

Sourced from NYC Open Data (DOB, HPD, ACRIS). Updated as the city republishes — check the original source for live status.

You can also find this listing on StreetEasy.

Listing data sourced from streeteasy.com. RealtyLens enriches and contextualises it for you, but the original listing lives on the source.