50 East 79th Street
50 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075
BBL 1013930052 · BIN 1041883
- Year built
- 1958
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- About 97
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; not in a historic district
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and City Planning records, updated February 2026
- Pied-à-terre
- Permitted
- Dogs
- Permitted with conditions
- Cats
- Not stated
- Maximum financing
- 65% of the purchase price
- Flip tax
- 2% of the purchase price, paid by the seller
- Doorman
- Full-time doorman
Every recorded sale at this building, 2005–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 2BR median, 2023–2026
- $1.9M
- 9 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $1.5M – $4.7M
- Listing discount
- 5.0%
- Recorded transfers
- 81
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at 50 East 79th Street 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.
50 East 79th Street is a post-war cooperative that punches above the typical white-brick-era building on two counts: a prime Madison Avenue corner and a genuinely distinctive top. Completed in 1958 to the design of Brown & Guenther and converted to a cooperative in 1963, the 20-story red-brick tower is anchored by a two-story polished gray-granite base and crowned by a series of angled terraces on its top five floors — a sculptural massing that distinguishes it from its flat-topped post-war neighbors and gives its upper apartments private outdoor space with a real architectural identity.
The location is the structural advantage. The southeast corner of Madison Avenue and East 79th Street sits in the heart of the Upper East Side's museum-and-gallery district — within easy reach of the Metropolitan Museum, the gallery row of Madison Avenue, and the luxury retail and dining that define the corridor. The block sits at the productive seam between Lenox Hill to the south and Carnegie Hill to the north, with the 77th Street subway and the full weight of the Fifth and Madison Avenue cultural inventory close at hand.
For buyers who want a full-service Upper East Side cooperative in a premier location — with the practical advantages of post-war construction, an on-site garage, and the bonus of distinctive upper-floor terraces — 50 East 79th Street occupies a clear niche: well-positioned, comfortable, and architecturally a cut above the generic post-war tower.
Architecture and unit composition
The building rewards attention from the street: the granite base grounds the composition, the red-brick body rises cleanly, and the angled terraces at the top transform the upper five floors into the building's signature. Those terraced apartments carry private outdoor space and the best light and views in the building.
The roughly 97 apartments span post-war configurations across the 20 stories, with a unit mix weighted toward the comfortable one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts characteristic of 1958 Upper East Side construction. Post-war signatures recur throughout: efficient, practical floor plans, good light, and solid mid-century construction. Apartment-level variation is significant — floor altitude, exposure, the presence of terrace space on the upper floors, and renovation history all matter to value, and lines price on their individual merits.
Building operations
50 East 79th Street operates as a full-service post-war cooperative with a 24-hour doorman, a live-in resident manager, a fully equipped fitness center, a bike room, storage, laundry, and a discounted on-site parking garage available to shareholders subject to availability.
The board posture is well-defined. The cooperative carries a reported 2% flip tax, with payer disputed between this narrative and the July 2026 management-sourced panel (seller), and permits financing of up to 65% of the purchase price. The building is pet-friendly, allowing one dog per residence, and pied-à-terre ownership is welcome — a flexible combination for a Madison Avenue co-op that broadens the buyer pool to part-time residents and out-of-town purchasers. Buyers should review the current proprietary lease and house rules in the course of a purchase.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of July 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
- Equal to 2% of the sales price
- Rate
- 2% of the purchase price
- Paid by
- Seller
Source: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
Purchase
10 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $550 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit/Background CheckPer applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $200 per applicant and adult occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Dog Registration Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $50 | Refundable Not stated |
| Family Member Credit/Background CheckConditional · Per applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $200 per adult occupant if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Guarantor Processing FeeConditional | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $300 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Document Facilitation FeeConditional | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $150 if applicable | Refundable Not stated |
| Recognition Agreement Fee | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $250 | Refundable Not stated |
| Transfer Fee | Paid by Seller | When At closing | Amount $750 ($800 for financing per apartment) | Refundable Not stated |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move In Deposit | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Refundable |
| Move Out Deposit | Paid by Seller | When With the application | Amount $2,500 | Refundable Refundable |
Sublet
1 item
Sublet renewal
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $125 | Refundable Non-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 Non-refundable |
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 Non-refundable |
Ownership transfer
3 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $450 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $200 per applicant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Closing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $700 | 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.
Financing and purchase requirements
- Maximum financing
- 65% of the purchase priceSource: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
Sublet and pied-à-terre policy
A condominium owner leasing a unit and a co-op shareholder subletting are different rules, and a building-wide rule is different from a restriction on one apartment. This is the building's rule; confirm it for the specific apartment.
- Subletting by shareholders
- Not verified
- Pied-à-terre ownership
- PermittedSource: The Roebling Team's building profile
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to discuss the sublet and pied-à-terre rules for that apartment.
Pets and in-unit washer/dryer
- Dogs
- Permitted with conditions1 Dog-No Aggressive Breeds.Source: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- Cats
- Not statedThe source permits pets without naming cats.Source: building management's published schedule, as of July 2026
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Not verified
Considering an apartment here? Send Corey the listing to confirm the pet and washer/dryer rules for that apartment.
Monthly carrying charges in recent sales
- Maintenance, per room
- $824 per room a monthMedian of 11 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
- Maintenance, per square foot
- $2.62 per square foot a monthMedian of 6 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: 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
- Fitness room, garage, bike storageSource: 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
- $108,635/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $93
- Modeled exposure split equally across 97 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).
Penalties shown are amounts DOB assessed against filings on record across 2005–10 to 2020–25. The FISP dataset does not record whether they were paid, contested or remain open, so treat the figure as history rather than a current balance and confirm the building’s standing with the managing agent.
Source: NYC DOB facade filings (FISP) · The Roebling Research Library. City data last refreshed October 2026.
Management & transfer contacts
- Flip tax
- 2% of the sales price (payable by Purchaser or Seller)
- Policies and fees
- Max financing 65%; 1 dog, no aggressive breeds
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2026 | 2D | 3 BR · 2 BA | $1,500,000 | +0.0% | |
| May 18, 2026 | 7B | 2 BR · 1.5 BA | $1,520,000 | -3.8% | |
| Mar 12, 2026 | 5B | 2 BR · 2 BA | $1,485,000 | -5.7% | |
| Jan 30, 2026 | PH21A | 3 BR · 3 BA · 1,964 sf | $3,750,000 | $1,909/sf | +0.0% |
| Nov 13, 2025 | 2C | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,600 sf | $1,850,000 | $1,156/sf | -2.6% |
| Sep 9, 2025 | 12AF | 5 BR · 4 BA · 2,935 sf | $3,800,000 | $1,295/sf | -8.4% |
| Jun 24, 2025 | 12B | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,200 sf | $1,635,000 | $1,363/sf | -3.8% |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 11BC | 4 BR · 3 BA | $4,700,000 | -5.9% |
Market read. Most recent trades (2026 to date) cleared a median $1,909/sf (recorded) across 1 sale. Median listing discount 5.3% 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.
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 1-01393-0052). 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 50 East 79th Street and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $1.85M (11 transfers in the past 24 months, since October 31, 2024), a buyer putting 35% down would pay about $33,050 to close, or 1.8% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $18,500
- No mortgage recording tax or title insurance on a co-op purchase
- Attorneys, lender, building fees and filings: $14,550
Assumes a resale (the seller pays transfer taxes), a $4,500 attorney fee and a mortgage at the building's 65% financing limit.
Keep up with 50 East 79th Street and its market
The Roebling Report, monthly: Manhattan sales data and analysis, including buildings like 50 East 79th Street. 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
The Madison Avenue corner is the asset. A premier museum-and-gallery-district location with the Met, gallery row, and luxury retail close at hand.
The upper-floor terraces are the building's signature. The angled top-five-floor terraces offer private outdoor space found nowhere else in the building — and command a premium accordingly.
The policy posture is accommodating. A reported 2% flip tax with the payer requiring confirmation, 65% financing, one dog per residence, and pied-à-terre ownership permitted make the board's expectations clear up front.
The on-site garage is a practical edge. Discounted shareholder parking is a real day-to-day advantage on this stretch of Madison.
What to know if you’re selling
Lead with the corner location, the terraces, and the garage. The Madison Avenue museum-district position, the distinctive upper-floor terraces, and the on-site parking are the strongest selling points.
Pricing requires apartment-level comparable analysis. Floor, exposure, terrace space, and renovation drive value more than building averages.
The buyer pool skews toward established Upper East Side buyers and pied-à-terre purchasers. The location, full-service profile, and flexible policies draw a motivated, well-capitalized demographic.
Closing timelines are co-op standard. Roughly 4–8 weeks from contract to closing, subject to board-package and interview scheduling. Reconcile the reported 2% flip-tax basis and payer with the current management schedule before assigning the cost in pricing conversations.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 50 East 79th Street, also evaluate:
- 30 East 76th Street — nearby Upper East Side building
- 14 East 75th Street — nearby Lenox Hill cooperative
- 130 East 75th Street — nearby Upper East Side building
- 175 East 77th Street — nearby Upper East Side building
- 33 East 74th Street — nearby Lenox Hill cooperative
- 45 East 82nd Street — nearby Upper East Side building
More Upper East Side buildings
- 49 East 86th Street — 1930 co-op
- 49 East 96th Street — 1939 co-op
- 50 East 72nd Street — 1928 condominium
- 50 East 89th Street (Park Regis) — 1974 co-op by Emery Roth & Sons
- 51 East 78th Street — 1893 co-op
- 51 East 90th Street — 1926 co-op by George F. Pelham
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 50 East 79th Street?
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