157 East 81st Street, Unit 8
Description
A private elevator vestibule opens into approximately 4,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, where classic pre-war detail meets modern comfort. With exposures in every direction, the home is...Rarely does a home of this scale and character come to market. Occupying an entire private floor within an intimate pre-war boutique building, this exceptional four-bedroom, three-bathroom residence is set on a beautiful, tree-lined townhouse block in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
A private elevator vestibule opens into approximately 4,000 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, where classic pre-war detail meets modern comfort. With exposures in every direction, the home is brimming with natural light throughout the day, enhancing its expansive feel.
The centerpiece of the home is a truly impressive entertaining space: an open concept living and dining room spanning 55’. The living room is anchored by a wood-burning fireplace and framed by four sets of south-facing, full-height French doors with elegant Juliet railings, bringing in beautiful light and adding architectural presence. Coffered ceilings, hand-crafted moldings, and rich oak hardwood floors carry throughout, creating a warm yet refined atmosphere.
The custom, windowed chef’s kitchen is designed for both everyday living and entertaining, featuring stainless steel countertops, granite surfaces, double sinks, and premium Viking and Sub-Zero appliances. An electric oven is complemented by a gas range that vents out.
The home offers four generously sized bedrooms, with an additional den/office space off the kitchen which can easily be converted to a fifth. The primary suite is a standout, complete with charming bay windows and a gas fireplace, offering a quiet and comfortable retreat. Throughout the home, custom 8-foot solid wood doors, excellent storage, and multiple walk-in closets reflect the level of detail and care put into the design.
Additional features include two-zone central air conditioning, recessed lighting, WiFi access points throughout, and a full laundry room with a brand-new washer.
This is a rare opportunity to reside in a full-floor home that blends scale, light, and craftsmanship in one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable settings.
A $20 Application Fee applies per applicant.
Pets permitted. Showings by appointment. Welcome Home!
Listing Agents
![Henry Weinstock]()
P: (516)-673-8321
![Stacey Froelich]()
P: (917)-623-7616
![Robert Godby]()
P: (917)-971-9685
Amenities
- Working Fireplace
- Built-Ins
- Columns
- Private Entrance
- Hardwood Floors
- High Ceilings
- Elevator
- Washer / Dryer in Unit
- Central AC
- Electric Oven
- Eat-in Kitchen
- Chef's Kitchen
- Marble Bathroom
- Double Sink Bathroom
- Northern Exposure
- Southern Exposure
- Eastern Exposure
- Western Exposure
- Voice Intercom
- Video Intercom
- Primary Ensuite with Separate Shower
- Primary Ensuite with Separate Tub
- Laundry Room
- Gas Stove
- Island Kitchen
- Midrise
- Lowrise
Open Houses
Property Details for 157 East 81st Street, Unit 8
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Days on Market | 18 |
| Pet Policy | Allowed |
| Rental Incentives | No Fee |
| Costs & Fees | View breakdown |
| Available Date | 07/01/2026 |
| Lease Term | Lease Length: 12 Months, Lease Length Min/Max: 12-12 mo |
| Furnished | - |
| Total Rooms | 7.0 |
| Property Type | Rental |
| MLS Type | - |
| Year Built | 1912 |
| County | New York County |
Building
157 E 81st St
Location
Building Information for 157 East 81st Street, Unit 8
Property History for 157 East 81st Street, Unit 8
| Date | Event & Source | Price | Appreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | Listed (Active) Manual | $40,000 | — |
| Jun 4, 2020 | Rented Manual | — | |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 | — |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Temporarily Off Market Manual | — | |
| Feb 26, 2020 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 | — |
| Jan 28, 2020 | Temporarily Off Market Manual | — | |
| Dec 4, 2019 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 | — |
| Date | Event & Source | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 05/26/2026 | Listed (Active) Manual | $40,000 |
| 06/04/2020 | Rented Manual | — |
| 03/25/2020 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 |
| 03/25/2020 | Temporarily Off Market Manual | — |
| 02/26/2020 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 |
| 01/28/2020 | Temporarily Off Market Manual | — |
| 12/04/2019 | Listed (Active) Manual | $21,230 |
For completeness, we often displays two records for one sale: the MLS record and the public record.
Schools near 157 East 81st Street, Unit 8
Rating | School | Type | Grades | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public - | PK to 5 | |||
| Public - | 6 to 8 | |||
| Public - | 6 to 8 | |||
| 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.
Neighborhood Map and Transit
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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.