1280 Third Avenue
1280 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021
BBL 1014080040 · BIN 1043047
- Year built
- 1966
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- 120
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; not in a historic district
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and City Planning records, updated February 2026
- Flip tax
- 2% of the purchase price, paid by the seller
- Doorman
- Full-time doorman
Every recorded sale at this building, 2003–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 2BR median, 2023–2026
- $1.2M
- 9 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $773K – $4.4M
- Listing discount
- 2.0%
- Recorded transfers
- 112
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at 1280 Third Avenue would likely sell for today, what it costs to sell, and what you’d walk away with — reviewed personally against condition, exposures, renovation quality, and the competition actually on the market.
1280 Third Avenue is a 1966 cooperative in the heart of the Upper East Side's East 70s, on the Third Avenue stretch that anchors the neighborhood's everyday life. The location is the headline: this is one of Manhattan's most convenient residential addresses, with the everyday shops, groceries, pharmacies, cafés, and restaurants of Third Avenue at the door, and the more refined retail of Madison Avenue a few blocks west. The 6 train at 77th and 68th Streets and the Q train (Second Avenue Subway) at 72nd Street put both East Side trunk lines within a short walk, and Central Park is roughly five blocks west.
The building belongs to the wave of mid-rise construction that reshaped Third Avenue after the elevated railway came down at mid-century, opening the avenue to light and to a new generation of taller residential towers. The 1960s buildings of this stretch were designed for efficient, light-filled urban living — functional layouts, casement and corner windows, and the elevator convenience the post-war market expected. At 20 stories and 120 apartments, 1280 Third is a substantial, well-scaled example, and it offers something increasingly valuable: full-service cooperative ownership in prime Lenox Hill with pricing to compare against dated, matched Fifth, Madison and Park Avenue transactions.
Architecture and unit composition
The 120 apartments reflect a 1966 post-war building: efficient, light-driven layouts across studio, one-, and two-bedroom configurations, with the casement-window glazing and clean-lined rooms typical of the era. Post-war buildings of this vintage favor functional flow, generous light, and elevator-building convenience over the formal foyers and service wings of pre-war construction. The 20-story height is a real asset — upper floors capture meaningful light and open outlooks across the East Side's mid-rise streetscape, and on the higher lines those long views are the building's clearest premium. Avenue-facing apartments carry Third Avenue exposure; cross-street and rear lines vary by floor and configuration.
Building operations
1280 Third Avenue operates as a full-service post-war cooperative with an attended lobby, a central laundry, and a live-in superintendent. It runs on the standard co-op model: a proprietary lease, monthly maintenance, and a board-approval process for purchasers. Review the current budget, audited statements, debt and any assessments, and confirm the board's financial and occupancy requirements from its application instructions.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of August 2026. They are shown as published, item by item; no total is added because the total depends on the transaction. Deposits are listed apart from nonrefundable charges.
- Terms
- 2% of the gross sales price
- Rate
- 2% of the purchase price
- Paid by
- Seller
Source: building management's published schedule, as of August 2026
Purchase
10 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application processing fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit report and background check feePer applicantRequired | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $120.00 per applicant | Refundable Not stated |
| Adjournment feeConditionalConditions: If applicable | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $250 | Refundable Not stated |
| Fee for holding documents in EscrowConditionalConditions: If applicable | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $250 | Refundable Not stated |
| If financing, a processing feeConditional | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $400 | Refundable Not stated |
| If Title company is present at closing, this fee is applicableConditional | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $250 | Refundable Not stated |
| N.Y State transfer tax payablePer shareRequired | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount $.05 per share | Refundable Not stated |
| Transfer fee | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount $850 | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move in Deposit | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
| Move out Deposit | Paid by Seller | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Not stated |
Sublet
5 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $700 | Refundable Not stated |
| Background and Credit Check FeeConditional · Per applicantRequired | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $120.00 per applicant & guarantor, if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Sublet FeeRecurring | Paid by Shareholder | When Upon approval | Amount 25% of Monthly Maintenance | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move-out Deposit | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Refundable |
| Move-in Deposit | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Refundable |
Refinance
2 items
Management's “less refinance” schedule
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $450 | Refundable Not stated |
Management's “more refinance” schedule
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $450 | Refundable Not stated |
Management updates its schedule without a public filing. The date is when management last updated the page, not when a rule changed. Confirm the current schedule with management before you apply.
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the building's costs and purchase requirements.
Own an apartment here? Request an apartment-specific pricing review.
Monthly carrying charges in recent sales
- Maintenance, per room
- $663 per room a monthMedian of 11 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
- Maintenance, per square foot
- $2.14 per square foot a monthMedian of 4 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
Maintenance as recorded with each sale. A co-op's maintenance already covers the building's real estate taxes and the building's own mortgage, if it has one; add your own loan payment for the monthly outlay. A summary of recorded sales, not a current bill; charges change.
Building staffing and amenities
- Doorman
- Full-time doormanSource: recent listing records
- Attended lobby
- YesSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Live-in superintendent
- YesSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
- Elevator
- YesSource: NYC Department of City Planning records (PLUTO)
- Amenities noted
- Laundry roomSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
Staffing and amenities as our building profile and recent listing records describe them. A feature not listed is not confirmed absent. Outdoor space, parking and some facilities can belong to particular apartments or to a separate owner; confirm access for the specific apartment.
Local Law 97
- 2024–2029 annual penalty
- $0 (under cap)
- 2030–2034 annual penalty
- $65,148/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $45
- Modeled exposure split equally across 120 units (the residential count on the city's lot record). Not an assessed amount; co-op shareholders are typically charged by share allocation.
Source: NYC LL84 benchmarking and PLUTO · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
See full Local Law 97 analysis — emissions history, scenarios, methodology →Facade safety — Local Law 11
The latest available FISP filing classified the facade as Safe — no repairs were required at that inspection. A filed Safe grade is not a guarantee of current condition: owners still maintain the facade and, where required, observe parapets each year. Future inspection timing (Local Law 49 of 2025 changed the cycle framework from October 1, 2026), repair and any assessment decisions remain building-specific.
How to read this, and where it comes from
QEWI = Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector — a licensed professional engineer or registered architect who meets DOB’s FISP qualifications and signs the report (the independent expert, not the managing agent).
Source: NYC DOB facade filings (FISP) · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
Recent sales
Recent transfers at this building, from The Roebling Research Library. Prices are the transfer amounts recorded with the NYC Department of Finance; apartment-level detail is checked against the building’s own file in The Roebling Research Library before publishing.
| Date | Unit | Apartment | Price | PPSF | vs. Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | PHC | 2 BR · 2 BA | $2,550,000 | +8.5% | |
| Jun 25, 2026 | 8A | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,537,000 | -14.4% | |
| Sep 26, 2025 | 3A | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,627,000 | +2.0% | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | 8C | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,180,000 | +12.4% | |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 12BC | 3 BR · 3 BA · 1,800 sf | $2,237,500 | $1,243/sf | -10.3% |
| Mar 27, 2025 | 4ABC | 4 BR · 4.5 BA · 3,300 sf | $4,400,000 | $1,333/sf | -2.2% |
| Dec 4, 2024 | 10G | 2 BR · 1 BA · 850 sf | $772,500 | $909/sf | -3.3% |
| Nov 26, 2024 | 6A | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,200 sf | $1,270,000 | $1,058/sf | +3.7% |
Market read. $/sf is measured on the latest sales with reliable square footage (2025): a median $1,203/sf (floor-adjusted) across 2 sales. The building has traded as recently as 2026. Median listing discount 4.1% from the last ask — a recurring negotiation gap worth pricing into any offer or listing strategy.
The retrade record
Lines that have traded more than once in the public record — the building’s appreciation arc, apartment by apartment.
Other recent transfers
| Date | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2003 | 11G | $450,000 |
Full closing history with price-per-square-foot over time, the complete retrade record, and every line that has traded.
Sales sourced from NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers (BBL 1-01408-0040). Apartment-level facts (line, condition, asking-price context) curated and cross-verified in The Roebling Research Library. Not all transactions cross-verify with ACRIS records — sponsor and LLC purchases sometimes record at stipulated values rather than market price; square footage on co-ops is not officially recorded, figures shown are approximate.
What would your apartment rent for?
Enter your apartment and I'll send you what it would rent for, from comparable closed leases at 1280 Third Avenue and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $1.58M (8 transfers in the past 24 months, since October 31, 2024), a buyer putting 25% down would pay about $30,303 to close, or 1.9% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $15,820
- No mortgage recording tax or title insurance on a co-op purchase
- Attorneys, lender, building fees and filings: $14,483
Assumes a resale (the seller pays transfer taxes), a $4,500 attorney fee and a mortgage on the rest.
Keep up with 1280 Third Avenue and its market
The Roebling Report, monthly: Manhattan sales data and analysis, including buildings like 1280 Third Avenue. Unsubscribe anytime.
We’ll use your email for The Roebling Report and note your interest in this building. See our privacy policy.
What to know if you’re buying
This is a board-approval cooperative, so a complete, well-documented purchase application matters. The value proposition is location and convenience: full-service co-op ownership in prime Lenox Hill, steps from two subway lines and Central Park, with relative price to establish from dated, matched transactions and total carrying costs. Expect efficient post-war layouts rather than pre-war foyers — bright, functional apartments built for easy living — and target the higher floors for light and views. We help buyers assess the line and exposure, read the building's financials, and prepare a complete board package.
What to know if you’re selling
Lead with location and the building's everyday livability: a full-service Lenox Hill co-op steps from the 6 and Q trains, the Third Avenue retail spine, Madison Avenue shopping, and Central Park. Present those specific features, confirm current occupancy rules and compare dated, matched sales; location alone does not establish buyer composition or a discount to the marquee avenues. Price to line and floor — altitude, exposure, light, and renovation condition drive value here — and lean on a building-specific comparable analysis to position correctly. Our Seller Closing Cost Calculator below helps you map net proceeds from the start.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 1280 Third Avenue, also look at these nearby Third Avenue cooperatives:
- 1270 Third Avenue — 1958 Upper East Side elevator co-op, immediate neighbor
- 1250 Third Avenue — 1960 Third Avenue elevator building
- 1230 Third Avenue — 1962 Third Avenue building
- 1218 Third Avenue — 1962 Third Avenue building
More Upper East Side buildings
- 1250 Third Avenue — 1960 co-op
- 1261 Madison Avenue — 1901 co-op
- 1270 Third Avenue — 1958 co-op
- The Hayworth (1289 Lexington Avenue) — 2019 condominium
- 1295 Madison Avenue — 1900 condominium
- 1296 Third Avenue (196 East 75th Street) — 1959 co-op
The neighborhood
For the full corridor — architecture, transit, and pricing across Upper East Side — read The Roebling Team Guide to Upper East Side.
The full playbook — what goes in the package, how boards read your financials, the interview, and the timeline — plus sample cover, reference, and personal letters you can adapt.
How to read the facts on this page. Items attributed to an offering plan describe the building as it was offered at that filing — unit mix, square footage, the amenity program as planned. They are not a statement about how the building operates today. Tax and compliance figures are sourced separately to current City records and carry their own dates. House rules, staffing and fee policy can change by board resolution without any public filing: treat every policy line here as a starting point for diligence and confirm it with the managing agent. Where this page compares one building or neighborhood to another, that is our analysis of the recorded record — it names the measure, the period and the sample it rests on, and it is an observation about medians rather than a prediction about any particular apartment.
Considering a move at 1280 Third Avenue?
Request a private building brief with the relevant comparable sales, current and off-market availability, and an apartment-specific view of value.
646.939.7375 · c.cohen@compass.com