The “Justin,” a converted, über exclusive full-floor condominium in the Upper East Side’s Yorkville neighborhood, is open for business.
The catch: only five residences are available. In this prestigious and popular area desperate for living space, that should translate to a feeding frenzy as sales officially opened via a launch party on March 18th. The current list prices are roughly 5.7% less than previously announced last fall.
Five fortunate (and affluent) residents will call the one-of-a-kind development at 225 East 81st Street home—and they will live better for it. Situated on a tree-lined street, the renovated building (designed by Vail Associates) features a gorgeous limestone, marble and translucent glass façade with modern finishing that updates the typical Upper East Side 20th century pre-war style. The condominium adds new architectural life to the community, Detractors claim it disrupts the neighborhood’s Brownstone continuity but that’s likely old Yorkville money speaking. Such is the cost of modernizing. Combine that with proximity to Central Park, access to gourmet cuisine and the future Second Avenue subway line, the condominium is indeed a rare Manhattan find.
“[The Upper East Side] is on fire,” said Ryan Serhant of Nest Seekers International, which has the listing. “But finding a three or four bedroom full-service condo in this neighborhood it’s nearly impossible. It’s incredibly residential with great restaurants and it's continuously changing for the better. They’re calling it the new Williamsburg. And because of the Second Avenue subway, people are investing because they foresee the value appreciation.”
Housed over six floors, The Justin offers five luxuriously modern homes, priced from $3.3 million to roughly $6 million or more: a triplex maisonette with private garden; three full-floor three-bedroom units; and a majestic penthouse with a 1,700-square-foot roof deck.
Each residence of The Justin boasts private outdoor terraces or balconies, key-lock entry, coffered ceilings, full height tilt-and-turn Kolby windows, masonry fireplaces, central air, in-unit washer/dryer, private storage, ample closet space, and Smart Home-wired for audiovisual systems and Wi-Fi with built-in speakers. Some have Jacuzzis and lofts. The pet-friendly building also offers part-time doorman service and a fitness center.
An open house for the Residence One Triplex maisonette and Residence Two is scheduled at The Justin for Sunday, March 22 from noon to 4 pm. The penthouse unit details are scant (official price, dimensions or potential buyer), but images are available.
The triplex maisonette is a four bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home, spanning nearly 3,900 square feet. A Juliet balcony overlooks the backyard garden which covers 750 square feet of tranquil space. The open living and dining room are an ideal entertaining space, spanning nearly 25 feet across wide-planked radiant heat flooring. The state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen features a breakfast bar, Caesarstone countertops, custom tile backsplash, a Wolf range/hood and Subzero refrigerator. The first floor bedroom can be utilized as a guest room or converted to a proper dining room or home office.
Internal stairs beneath a 20-foot ceiling negotiate to the second floor where three more bedrooms reside—two of which are master suites. The main suite is also 25-feet wide with Juliet balcony access, fireplace, walk-through closets and a large master bath. Each of the three-and-a-half spa bathrooms is outfitted with high-end fixtures, radiant heat flooring, and Bianco Carrara Marble.
Newly released images of Residence Two highlight a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home spanning nearly 1,800-square feet. It, too, showcases an open, 25-foot-wide living and dining area. The Residence Two master suite includes a Jacuzzi tub and steam shower while each of the two-and-a-half spa bathrooms also has radiant heat flooring and Bianco Carrara marble.
The Justin condominium was developed by Michael Paul Enterprises in the heart of the Upper East Side. Contrary to popular belief, the building is named for a real life person—owner Michael Paul D’Alessio’s son Justin, according to Serhant, who says another property will follow named for D’Alessio’s daughter.
Based on intense interest and open house demand for The Justin (he expects over 350 people), Serhant anticipates contracts in hand shortly after the open house. Naysayers aside, why should we doubt him? Serhant, an experienced actor and co-star of Bravo’s reality series Million Dollar Listing New York who recently posed in the buff for Flaunt magazine, knows how to close a deal. As one of New York’s top real estate brokers (in 2012 he ranked 15th), surely he can sell a pricey condo—and his own personal brand. And that's the naked truth.