19 East 88th Street
19 East 88th Street / 1220-26 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10128
- Year built
- 1937
- Flip tax
- 2%, buyer-paid
19 East 88th Street is one of the most architecturally distinctive late Art Deco cooperatives in Carnegie Hill — designed in 1935-36 by William M. Dowling for Nathaniel Wallenstein and completed in 1937. Daytonian's Tom Miller (May 2, 2024) provides the canonical published architectural and resident history of the building.
The structural identity rests on three features. First, the late Art Deco composition — Miller describes "triple-height fluted pilasters on either side of the entrance that terminated in stylized scallop designs"; the address "was announced in jazzy Art Deco figures within the spandrel"; chamfered corner casement windows; and "streamlined terrace and balcony railings have been compared by architectural historians to ocean liner designs." Second, the densely documented resident roster — investment publisher Russell Field Prudden (founder of Prudden's Digest); Broadway playwright Allen Boretz (co-author of Room Service); architect Daniel Paul Higgins (Eggers & Higgins, designer of Jefferson Memorial interiors); union leader Jacob Potofsky (president, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America). Third, the recently renovated amenity layer — newly landscaped rooftop terrace and new fitness center.
The original 1937 advertising copy: "ultra-modern new building"; "town residence for a selected tenancy"; "individually planned — No two alike!"
Recent sales
Brown Harris Stevens closed sales include penthouse PH-D and Unit 15D at $3,234,000. Apartment-level closing detail should be sourced from NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers for full transactional context.
What to know if you’re buying
The Dowling late Art Deco composition is structurally distinguishing. No peer Carnegie Hill cross-street building carries the same architectural-history depth — Daytonian's Miller has written the canonical published essay.
The original 1937 marketing language — "individually planned — No two alike!" — is reflected in the apartment-line variance. Verify line-specific configuration during walkthrough.
The newly renovated fitness center and landscaped rooftop terrace are real recent capital improvements. Position accordingly.
The 50% financing maximum and 2% buyer-paid flip tax are operational realities. Factor into carrying-cost and net-proceeds calculations.
The historical resident roster — Boretz, Potofsky, Higgins, Prudden — supports cultural-history positioning.
Closing timelines are cooperative-standard. Plan for 6 to 10 weeks from contract through board approval to closing.
Comparable buildings
- 4 East 88th Street — 1922 Georgian Revival; same-block Carnegie Hill peer
- 14 East 90th Street — Carpenter 1928; nearby Carnegie Hill peer
- 12 East 87th Street (The Capitol) — Blum & Blum 1910-12; nearby Carnegie Hill peer
- 21 East 87th Street — Roth 1927; nearby Carnegie Hill peer
- 60 East 88th Street (The Saratoga) — Beyer Blinder Belle 1987; same-block Carnegie Hill peer
The Roebling Team at 19 East 88th Street
The Roebling Team at Compass specializes in Central Park West, the Upper East Side, and the broader Park-facing Manhattan market. If you're considering a purchase or sale at 19 East 88th, a 30-minute consultation is the right starting point.
Corey Cohen · The Roebling Team at Compass 646.939.7375 · c.cohen@compass.com
Sources: Tom Miller, "William M. Dowling's 1937 19 East 88th Street," Daytonian in Manhattan, May 2, 2024; CityRealty building page; Brown Harris Stevens closed sales; NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission Carnegie Hill Historic District Designation Report (LP-0834, 1974 / LP-1834, 1993); NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers.