21 East 81st Street

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Active
$16,500,000
6 beds8,538 sqft
21 East 81st Street, Upper East Side
Building Info: 21 E 81st St, 5 stories, Built 1899
Est: $98,088/moGet pre-approved
TownhouseProperty Type
0.05 acresLot Size
1899Year Built
$1,933/sq ftPrice per sq ft
No pets allowedPet policy

Description

Just off Fifth Avenue on one of the Upper East Side's most coveted blocks, 21 East 81st Street presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of New York history. Built in 1899, this south-facing, 20-foot-wide, six-story limestone townhome spans approximately 8,600 square feet and is crowned by a charming mansard roof. Grand interiors feature impressive 12-foot ceilings, multiple wood-burning fireplaces, elegant period details, and an elevator servicing all levels. The parlor floor offers generous entertaining...Just off Fifth Avenue on one of the Upper East Side's most coveted blocks, 21 East 81st Street presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of New York history. Built in 1899, this south-facing, 20-foot-wide, six-story limestone townhome spans approximately 8,600 square feet and is crowned by a charming mansard roof. Grand interiors feature impressive 12-foot ceilings, multiple wood-burning fireplaces, elegant period details, and an elevator servicing all levels. The parlor floor offers generous entertaining spaces, with sun-filled rooms and a massive windowed kitchen. Above are spacious bedrooms, oversized walk in closets, and a stately library. Crowning the residence is a beautiful landscaped roof deck with views of the Metropolitan Museum and space for dining, lounging, and entertaining. Currently configured as an owner's quadruplex with a separate income-producing duplex, the home offers exceptional flexibility for extended family, guests, staff, a home office, gym, or den. It can also be returned to its original configuration as a grand single-family residence. Set on one of the neighborhood's most elegant tree-lined blocks, 21 East 81st Street is moments from Central Park, the Guggenheim, Museum Mile, and the Upper East Side's celebrated restaurants, art galleries, and Madison Ave shopping.
33 days on Market
Last updated: 09/08/2026 02:58 PM • Source: RLS RESO as distributed by MLS GRID, MLS#: RLS20110701

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Location

Listing Courtesy of Serhant
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$98,088 per month

30 year fixed, 7.03% Interest

Principal and Interest

$88,086

Property Taxes

$10,002

Maintenance/Common Charges

$0

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Property Information for 21 East 81st Street

Property Details
  • MLS ID: RLS20110701
  • Taxes: $10,002 / month
  • Total Rooms: 18.0
  • MLS Type: House/Building
  • County: New York County
  • View: Other
Building Information
  • Stories: 5
  • Year Built: 1899
  • Building Size: 19.83' x 66'
  • Building Sq. Ft: 6,543.9 SF
  • Lot Size: 2,040 SF / 102' x 20'
  • Building Age: Pre-war
  • Building Type: Townhouse
Summary
Location and General Information
  • Subdivision Name: Upper East Side
  • Stories Total: 1
  • View: No
Taxes and HOA
  • Tax Lot: 0012
  • Tax Block: 01493
  • Building Tax Lot: 0012
  • Tax Abatement YN: false
Parking
  • Garage: No
  • Garage Spaces Assigned YN: false
Property
Lot Information
  • Living Area: 8538.0
  • Building Area Total: 8538.0
  • Building Area Units: Square Feet
  • Lot Size Dimensions: 102.00x20.00
  • Living Area Units: Square Feet
Building Information
  • Building Features: Elevators
  • Landmark Status YN: false
  • Building Smoke Free YN: true
  • Building Laundry Features: Other
  • Building Pets Allowed: BuildingYes
  • Building Pool Features: None
  • Capital Reserves YN: false
  • Green Building YN: true
Property and Assessments
  • New Development: No
  • Sponsor Unit: No
  • Certificate Of Occupancy: Yes
  • New Construction: No
  • Structure Type: Townhouse
  • Property Condition: Good
Interior and Exterior Features
Exterior Features
  • Basement: Other
  • Exterior Features: RoofDeck
  • Patio And Porch Features: None
Interior Features
  • Cooling: Other
  • Entry Level: 1
  • Appliances: WasherDryerAllowed
  • Fireplace Features: Stone
  • Fireplaces Total: 1
  • Fireplace: Yes
  • Interior Features: WalkInClosets, HighCeilings
  • Floor Number: 1
  • Basement: No
  • Cooling: Yes
  • Laundry Features: WasherHookup, InUnit
  • ElevatorsTotal: 1
  • Size Dimensions: 66.00x19.83
Multi Family
Multi-Family Information
  • Number Of Units Total: -1
Rental
Rental Information
  • Pets Allowed: UnitNo
  • Delivered Vacant: No
  • Attendance Type: None
  • Land Lease: No

Property History for 21 East 81st Street

DateEvent & SourcePriceAppreciationLink
Aug 24, 2026

Listed (Active)

RLS RESO #RLS20110701

$16,500,000—
Aug 14, 2026

Permanently Off Market

Manual

——
Feb 10, 2026

Listed (Active)

Manual

$18,000,000——
DateEvent & SourcePrice
08/24/2026

Listed (Active)

RLS RESO #RLS20110701

$16,500,000
08/14/2026

Permanently Off Market

Manual

—
02/10/2026

Listed (Active)

Manual

$18,000,000

For completeness, we often displays two records for one sale: the MLS record and the public record.

Public Records for 21 East 81st Street

Taxable ValueLand$444,420Additions$854,880Total$1,299,300
Home Facts
Total Finished SqFt7,784 SqFtLot Size2,026 SqFtYear Built1899ZoningR8BAPN1014930012

Schools near 21 East 81st Street

This home is within New York City Geographic District # 2.
Rating
School
Type
Grades
Distance
P.S. 6 Lillie D Blake
Public - PK to 5
Nyc Lab Ms For Collaborative Studies
Public - 6 to 8
Lower Manhattan Community Middle School
Public - 6 to 8
Jhs 167 Robert F Wagner
Public - 6 to 8
Rating
School
Distance
P.S. 6 Lillie D Blake
PublicPK to 5

Nyc Lab Ms For Collaborative Studies
Public6 to 8

Lower Manhattan Community Middle School
Public6 to 8

Jhs 167 Robert F Wagner
Public6 to 8

School ratings and boundaries are provided by GreatSchools.org and Pitney Bowes. This information should only be used as a reference. Proximity or boundaries shown here are not a guarantee of enrollment. Please reach out to schools directly to verify all information and enrollment eligibility.

Upper East Side
Upper East Side
An upscale neighborhood with affluent roots. Although the Upper East Side is best known for upscale real-estate, well-known prep schools and designer boutiques, affordable apartments and relaxed living are easy to find in this quiet and bright neighborhood.
Upper East Side Guide

Neighborhood Map and Transit

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More information about 21 East 81st Street, Upper East Side

21 East 81st Street is a townhouse for sale in Upper East Side. This property was listed for sale on August 24, 2026 by Serhant, it's currently listed at $16,500,000. This listing's school district is New York City Geographic District # 2. Nearby schools include P.S. 6 Lillie D Blake, Nyc Lab Ms For Collaborative Studies and Lower Manhattan Community Middle School. 21 East 81st Street is a 6-bed, 7-bath, 8,538 sqft townhouse built in 1899.

No guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind is made regarding the completeness or accuracy of any information, descriptions or measurements (including square footage measurements and property condition), such should be independently verified through appropriate means, including, but not limited to, in person inspection and public records, and Compass International Holdings, its subsidiaries, affiliates and independently owned and operated franchisees, and their affiliated agents and associated third parties expressly disclaim any liability in connection therewith. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Offers of compensation are subject to change at the seller's discretion. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Listing Courtesy of Serhant

This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved. The source of the displayed data is either the property owner or public record provided by non-governmental third parties. It is believed to be reliable but not guaranteed. This information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the IDX Program of OneKey® MLS. Information Copyright 2026, OneKey® MLS. All data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Compass, Inc., its subsidiaries, affiliates and their agents and associated third parties. See Terms of Service for additional restrictions. Compass · Tel: 212-913-9058 · New York, NY Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board of New York’s Residential Listing Service (the "RLS"). The information contained in this listing has not been verified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is for the consumer’s personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property. This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. ©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., all rights reserved. This information is not guaranteed, should be independently verified and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Offers of compensation set forth here are for other RLSParticipants only and may not reflect other agreements between a consumer and their broker.©2026 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.