681 Madison Avenue
681 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065
BBL 1013760051 · BIN 1040861
- Year built
- 1955
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- 100
- Landmark status
- Not an individual landmark; in the Upper East Side Historic District
- NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission records, updated February 2026
- Subletting by shareholders
- Permitted
- Pied-à-terre
- Permitted
- Pets
- Pets permitted; species and limits not stated
- Washer/dryer
- Not permitted
- Maximum financing
- 50% 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, 2003–2026
Bedroom-by-bedroom medians, the full transfer record, and how units trade against ask.
- 1BR median, 2025–2026
- $1.4M
- 3 qualifying sales
- Recent range
- $1.3M – $4M
- Listing discount
- 2.9%
- Recorded transfers
- 71
Own an apartment here? See what it would sell for.
A Private Pricing Opinion — what your apartment at 681 Madison 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.
681 Madison Avenue sits at the foot of one of Manhattan's most prestigious retail and gallery corridors. The Madison Avenue of the low 60s is the heart of the luxury-shopping and art-dealing district — flagship boutiques, established galleries, and the cross streets that connect to Central Park three blocks west and to Midtown a few blocks south. A residence here trades the quiet of a pure side street for an address at the center of the East Side's most cosmopolitan corridor, with the building's own ground floor occupied by the flagship retail and gallery tenants that define the avenue.
Completed in 1955, the building belongs to the post-war wave that filled out the East Side avenues in the decade after the war — efficient, full-service apartment houses with attended lobbies, livable floor plans, and low-maintenance presentation. Though it is a mid-century building, it falls within the Upper East Side Historic District, which governs exterior work and anchors the building in one of the city's most protected streetscapes.
At 16 stories and 100 apartments, 681 Madison is a mid-size post-war cooperative — with full staffing and actual resale activity to assess from current expenses, dated sales and listings, with a unit mix spanning the post-war range. For a buyer who wants a full-service building at the dead center of the Madison Avenue district, the location is the whole argument: the cross-town bus on 60th, the N/R/W and 4/5/6 trains a short walk south at 59th–60th, the Q and weekday M at Lexington and 63rd, and Central Park, Midtown, and the East Side's full amenity all within an easy walk.
Architecture and unit composition
The building's 100 apartments span the configurations typical of a 1955 East Side cooperative — from studios and one-bedrooms through two- and three-bedroom layouts, with some larger combined configurations. Post-war signatures recur: efficient, livable floor plans; functional kitchens and baths; and, on the upper floors, open exposures and good light over the surrounding low-rise corridor.
Interior condition varies widely across 100 units by individual renovation history; buyers should evaluate each apartment's layout, light, and condition on its own merits. The Madison Avenue frontage means lower-floor front apartments sit above the corridor's retail-and-gallery activity, while upper-floor and rear apartments offer more quiet and longer exposures. Historic-district status governs exterior alterations.
Building operations
681 Madison operates as a full-service post-war cooperative with full-time door staff, elevator service, central laundry, and a live-in superintendent. Review actual staffing costs for the 100-unit building, and confirm ownership of the ground-floor retail and gallery space, any corporate lease income and its actual net contribution; retail occupancy alone does not establish income to the cooperative.
Application and transaction fees
Fees below are from building management's published schedule, as of September 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 gross sales price
- Rate
- 2% of the purchase price
- Paid by
- Seller
Source: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
Purchase
9 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $600 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Background Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $100 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $75 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Messenger Fees | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $65 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Recognition Agreement FeeConditionalConditions: If Financing | Paid by Buyer | When At closing | Amount $300 (if applicable) | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Managing Agent Fee | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $900 (Shareholder is an Individual) or $1000 (Shareholder is an Estate) | Refundable Non-refundable |
| New York State Stamp TaxPer share | Paid by Shareholder | When At closing | Amount $0.05 per share | Refundable Non-refundable |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move-In Deposit | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $1,500 | Refundable Refundable |
| Move Out Deposit | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $1,500 | Refundable Refundable |
Sublet
7 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Move-Out Fee | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Application Processing FeeRequired | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $550 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Background Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $100 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Not stated |
| Bedbug Disclosure Form Fee | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $25 | Refundable Not stated |
| Credit Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $75 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Move-In Fee | Paid by Subtenant | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Deposits
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sublease Security Deposit from Shareholder | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount Equal to 2 months' Maintenance | Refundable Not stated |
Refinance
2 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing FeeRequired | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $500 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Messenger Fees | Paid by Shareholder | When With the application | Amount $35 | Refundable Non-refundable |
Ownership transfer
4 items
Fees and charges
| Item | Paid by | When | Amount | Refundable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Processing Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $600 | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Background Check FeePer applicant | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $100 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Credit Report FeePer applicantRequired | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $75 per applicant/occupant | Refundable Non-refundable |
| Messenger Fee | Paid by Buyer | When With the application | Amount $65 | Refundable Non-refundable |
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
- 50% of the purchase priceSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Guarantors
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Co-purchasing
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Parent buying for an employed child
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Parent buying for a student child
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Purchase or lease by a corporation
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 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
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Pied-à-terre ownership
- PermittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- Short-term rentals
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
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
- Pets
- Pets permitted; species and limits not statedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
- In-unit washer/dryer
- Not permittedSource: building management's published schedule, as of September 2026
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
- $152 per room a monthMedian of 8 recorded sales since October 2023Source: recorded sales, refreshed October 2026
- Maintenance, per square foot
- $0.50 per square foot a monthMedian of 5 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
- 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
- $45,200/yr
- Per unit / month range
- $0 – $38
- Modeled exposure split equally across 100 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 filing classified the facade as SWARMP — Safe With A Repair and Maintenance Program: the inspector (QEWI) identified conditions requiring monitoring or repair, with repairs due by the deadline stated in the filing. The scope, timeline, and how the building funds the work are building-specific — we review the filings and board materials for you.
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 2025–30. 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | 3G | 1 BR · 1.5 BA · 1,100 sf | $1,450,000 | $1,318/sf | +3.6% |
| Mar 5, 2026 | 2H | 1 BR · 1 BA · 900 sf | $1,315,000 | $1,461/sf | -2.6% |
| Feb 25, 2026 | 3A | 3 BR · 2 BA · 1,400 sf | $3,100,000 | $2,214/sf | -3.1% |
| Jan 29, 2026 | 11A | 3 BR · 2 BA | $3,575,000 | -2.1% | |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 8A | 2 BR · 2 BA · 1,480 sf | $3,125,000 | $2,111/sf | -3.8% |
| Jun 23, 2025 | 11G | 1 BR · 1.5 BA · 1,000 sf | $1,800,000 | $1,800/sf | +2.9% |
| Nov 6, 2024 | 7C | 3 BR · 3 BA | $4,000,000 | -4.8% | |
| Jun 10, 2024 | 14A | 2 BR · 2 BA | $3,900,000 | -8.8% |
Market read. Most recent trades (2026 to date) cleared a median $1,438/sf (floor-adjusted) across 3 sales. Floor-adjusted means each sale is restated to a constant mix of floors, so the figure can differ from the plain median of the sales listed above. Median listing discount 4.5% 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 1-01376-0051). 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.
Closed rents at 681 Madison Avenue, last 36 months
| Size | Leases | Median / month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 2 | $7,300 |
| 2 bedroom | 2 | $15,000 |
4 closed sublet leases, October 2023 to September 2026. Most recent lease July 2025. Based on few leases. Sizes with fewer than 2 leases are not shown. Compiled by The Roebling Team at Compass from closed leases.
What would your apartment rent for?
The figures above are the building's closed leases. Enter your apartment and I'll send you what yours would rent for, from comparable leases at 681 Madison Avenue and nearby.
At the recent median sale of $3.1M (7 transfers in the past 24 months, since October 31, 2024), a buyer putting 50% down would pay about $61,050 to close, or 2.0% of the price.
- Mansion tax: $46,500
- 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 50% financing limit.
Keep up with 681 Madison Avenue and its market
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What to know if you’re buying
The Madison Avenue district is the draw. Flagship retail, galleries, Central Park, and Midtown are all within an easy walk, with multiple subway lines a few blocks south.
Confirm the retail ownership and income arrangements. Review who owns the space, who receives its rent and what net amounts contribute to the cooperative's budget; do not infer corporate rental income from retail occupancy alone.
Front-facing lower floors sit above corridor activity. For quiet, look to upper floors or rear-facing apartments.
Inspect condition apartment by apartment. Renovation history varies widely across 100 units, and historic-district status governs exterior work.
What to know if you’re selling
Market the address. The Madison Avenue retail-and-gallery corridor and the full-service, doorman-staffed building are the strongest selling points.
Price at the apartment level. With 100 mixed units, floor, exposure, and renovation quality drive value more than any building average.
Closing timelines are co-op standard. Plan for roughly 6–10 weeks from contract to closing.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 681 Madison Avenue, also evaluate:
- 955 Madison Avenue — a 1958 Paul Resnick co-op
- 976 Lexington Avenue — post-war East Side building nearby
- 118 East 60th Street — post-war Lenox Hill cooperative
- 773 Lexington Avenue — full-service Lenox Hill post-war co-op
- 1250 Third Avenue — East Side post-war building
- 1091 Lexington Avenue — post-war East Side cooperative
More Upper East Side buildings
- 551 Main Street (Island House) — 1975 co-op
- 625 Main Street (Westview) — 1976 co-op
- 605 East 82nd Street — 1953 co-op
- 701 Madison Avenue (The Leonori) — 1901 condominium
- 721 Madison Avenue — 1908 co-op
- 737 Park Avenue — 1940 condominium by Sylvan Bien
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 681 Madison 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