- Year built
- 1942
- Type
- Cooperative
- Units
- 47
- Floors
- 6
- Pets
- Permitted (small dogs and cats)
- Subletting
- Liberal sublet policy
Every recorded sale at this building, 2004–2022
Price-per-square-foot over time, the line- and floor-premium curves, and every recorded sale.
- Median $/sf
- $940
- Listing discount
- 3.0%
- Recorded sales
- 17
- On record
- 2004–2022
The Hendrik House is a prewar cooperative on the corner of Second Avenue and East 37th Street in Murray Hill, addressed on both frontages (685 Second Avenue and 245 East 37th Street). Built in 1942, the six-story elevator building holds roughly 47 apartments and carries the prewar characteristics buyers seek in the neighborhood: high ceilings, hardwood floors, and classic detail, with renovated kitchens and baths in many units. Its corner siting gives many apartments good light and multiple exposures.
For buyers, the appeal is a well-located prewar co-op near Grand Central with two features that stand out: a genuinely liberal sublet policy — unusual for a co-op and valuable to owners who may want to rent — and a pet-friendly stance. The building is self-service and modestly scaled, which keeps carrying costs reasonable.
Architecture and unit composition
The Hendrik House is a prewar mid-rise elevator building of 1942, six stories tall, on the corner of Second Avenue and East 37th Street. Apartments feature high ceilings, hardwood floors, and prewar detail; many have renovated kitchens and baths. The corner location contributes light and exposures to many of the residences.
The cooperative holds approximately 47 residential units (public sources cite 47 to 49). As a co-op, values are best evaluated on a per-room and monthly-carry basis. The building's prewar character and liberal sublet policy support demand.
Building operations
685 Second Avenue operates as a self-service prewar cooperative with an elevator, a live-in superintendent, laundry facilities, bike storage, and an attended lobby. There is no doorman, no garage, no gym, and no roof deck — the building's appeal is prewar character, location, and its accommodating sublet policy rather than amenity depth. Standard co-op financing applies. Buyers should review the co-op's financials and any capital plans appropriate to a 1942 building.
Recent sales
The Hendrik House trades as a value-oriented prewar Murray Hill co-op, with the liberal sublet policy and pet-friendly rules broadening the buyer pool and appealing to owners who value flexibility. The Grand Central proximity and prewar character underpin steady demand across the building's studios through larger layouts.
Recent transfers at this building, curated by The Roebling Team research desk. Apartment-level facts are independently verified before publishing; sale prices reflect the recorded transfer amount at the NYC Department of Finance.
| Date | Unit | Apartment | Price | PPSF | vs. Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 3, 2022 | 3F | 1 BR · 1 BA | $515,000 | -1.0% | |
| May 11, 2018 | 2BC | 4 BR · 1,500 sf | $1,420,000 | $947/sf | -5.0% |
| Feb 17, 2016 | 3E | 1 BR · 893 sf | $705,000 | $789/sf | +1.4% |
| Jan 8, 2016 | 3D | 1 BR · 800 sf | $600,000 | $750/sf | off-mkt |
| Sep 3, 2015 | 2H | 1 BR · 800 sf | $545,000 | $681/sf | -0.9% |
| May 13, 2015 | 2F | 1 BR · 700 sf | $515,000 | $736/sf | -6.4% |
| Aug 13, 2014 | 2E | 3 BR · 900 sf | $603,750 | $671/sf | -3.4% |
| Jun 6, 2014 | 4B | 2 BR | $679,000 | +3.0% |
Market read. $/sf is measured on the latest sales with reliable square footage (2018): a median $940/sf across 1 sale. The building has traded as recently as 2022. Median listing discount 3.0% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| May 25, 2022 | 5D | $525,000 |
| Feb 26, 2020 | 2A | $539,000 |
| Nov 25, 2019 | 2G | $532,000 |
| Aug 24, 2004 | 11D | $2,495,000 |
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 1-00918-0025) and verified listing data. Apartment-level facts (line, condition, asking-price context) curated and cross-verified by The Roebling Team research desk. 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 to know if you’re buying
The sublet policy is a real advantage. The building's liberal sublet stance is unusual for a co-op and valuable if you may want to rent your unit — verify the current terms at offer stage.
Pet-friendly. Small dogs and cats are permitted.
Prewar character at a Murray Hill price. High ceilings, hardwood floors, and renovated kitchens and baths in many units.
Standard co-op financing. Plan for a board package and interview.
What to know if you’re selling
Lead with the sublet flexibility. The liberal sublet policy is a genuine differentiator for a co-op — foreground it.
Corner light and prewar detail sell. Emphasize exposures, ceiling height, and any recent renovation.
Location supports demand. Grand Central proximity is a durable draw.
Comparable buildings
If you're considering 685 Second Avenue, also evaluate:
- 157 East 32nd Street (L'Isola) — full-service Murray Hill condo
- 208 East 28th Street — flexible prewar Kips Bay co-op
- 150 East 27th Street (Gotham House) — 1960 co-op with parking, low carry
- 240 East 46th Street — postwar Turtle Bay condo
The Roebling Team at The Hendrik House
The Roebling Team at Compass publishes building-specific profiles because buyers and sellers deserve architecture, operational reality, and transactional mechanics — not generic market commentary. If you're considering a purchase or sale at 685 Second Avenue, a 30-minute consultation is the right starting point.
The neighborhood
For the full corridor — architecture, schools, transit, and pricing across Gramercy — read The Roebling Team Guide to Gramercy.
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