- Year built
- 1966
870 United Nations Plaza is the East tower of the Harrison, Abramovitz & Harris twin-tower mixed-use cooperative complex — designed by the lead architects of the United Nations Headquarters itself. The full block project (twin towers 860 and 870 UN Plaza atop a seven-story ~300,000-sf office base) was a pioneering mixed-use cooperative, among "the city's best cooperative houses" at the time of completion.
The structural identity rests on three features. First, the Harrison & Abramovitz architectural pedigree — the same firm that delivered the UN Headquarters; the Modernist black-glass towers are "in the Miesian tradition of crisp rectilinearity." Second, the 53-member staff — among Manhattan's best-staffed coops, with grand triple-height lobby, private driveway, valet garage, gym, and landscaped garden court. Third, the QPRT-permitted trust policy — a notable accommodation for estate-planning buyers, uncommon among Midtown cooperative inventory.
The cultural resident roster is extraordinary: Walter Cronkite (owned three apartments simultaneously — three-bedroom residence, one-bedroom office, 150-sf studio guest room with East River bridge views), Truman Capote, Johnny Carson, Yul Brynner, Katharine Graham (Washington Post publisher), David Susskind, Mary Lasker, David Koch.
Recent sales
- Average approximately $2.35M / ~$1,121 psf in 870 (vs. $1.95M / $947 psf in 860)
- 2024-25 listings include unit 20B at $1.65M and 31/32F duplex at $2.35M
Cronkite's three apartments traded over time; full closing detail requires ACRIS pull.
What to know if you’re buying
The Harrison & Abramovitz architectural pedigree is real institutional context. Same firm as the UN Headquarters; the building is in direct architectural dialogue with the Secretariat Building across the street.
The 53-member staff supports comprehensive white-glove operational infrastructure. Among Manhattan's best-staffed cooperatives.
The QPRT-permitted trust policy is uncommon and structurally significant for estate-planning buyers.
The Cronkite / Capote / Carson / Brynner / Graham / Koch cultural resident roster supports premium positioning.
The 56 duplexes on the top eight floors are the building's trophy configurations.
Variable financing maximums (50% to 75%) require per-unit verification.
The UN Plaza adjacency and the East River bridge views are structurally valuable urban context.
Comparable buildings
- 860 United Nations Plaza — same-complex West tower
- 1 Beekman Place — Sloan & Robertson 1929; nearby trophy peer
- 2 Sutton Place South — Emery Roth & Sons 1938; nearby trophy peer
- 400 East 56th Street (Plaza 400) — Birnbaum 1968; nearby postwar peer
- 45 Sutton Place South (Cannon Point South) — Resnick & Green 1958; nearby Sutton Place peer
The Roebling Team at 870 United Nations Plaza
Corey Cohen · The Roebling Team at Compass 646.939.7375 · c.cohen@compass.com
Sources: CityRealty (Carter Horsley review, building 1676); Harrison & Abramovitz Wikipedia entry; 860870unp.com and 860870unitednationsplaza.com (building sites); Brown Harris Stevens unit listings; Douglas Elliman Property Management; NYC Department of Finance recorded transfers.