The Lucida (151 East 85th Street)
151 East 85th Street, New York, NY 10028
- Year built
- 2007
- Type
- Condominium
- Units
- 118
- Floors
- 18
- Landmark
- No
- Pets
- Permitted under condominium rules
- Subletting
- Permitted under the condominium declaration
- Pied-à-terre
- Allowed
The Lucida is among Extell Development's substantial body of UES luxury condominium projects from the 2007–2010 development cycle. The building completed in 2008–2009 — the early period of the modern Manhattan luxury condominium boom — and established a position in the UES condominium market at a transit-anchored corner (Lexington Avenue and East 85th, immediately adjacent to the 86th Street subway hub).
The Lexington / 85th positioning is structurally distinct from the trophy UES corridor (Park Avenue / Madison Avenue / Fifth Avenue). The eastern UES — extending from Lexington east to the East River — features a different residential character: more transit-anchored, more amenity-and-services-oriented, and materially more accessible pricing than the trophy core UES tier. The Lucida's corner positioning at 85th and Lexington places it at the heart of this eastern UES residential corridor.
The approximately 116-residence unit count places The Lucida in the mid-size modern condominium tier — meaningfully larger than the smallest trophy condominium scales (15-residence Benson, 33-unit 520 Park) but smaller than the largest (815-unit One Manhattan Square, 179-unit Central Park Tower). The scale produces moderate annual transaction volume and a broad range of apartment configurations and price points.
For buyers, The Lucida represents a particular position in the modern UES condominium market: Extell quality, transit-anchored Lexington / 85th positioning, substantial amenity package including parking, and pricing materially more accessible than the trophy core UES condominium tier.
Architecture and unit composition
The 116 condominium residences distribute across the 22-story tower in configurations ranging from approximately 700 sf studios through 3,000+ sf 4 BR layouts. Most apartments feature floor-to-ceiling glass on primary exposures, modern luxury finishes, and the standard new-construction luxury condominium specifications.
Common configurations include 1 BR (700–1,100 sf), 2 BR (1,200–1,600 sf), 3 BR (1,800–2,400 sf), and select larger 4 BR penthouse-tier apartments (2,500–3,500+ sf).
The COOKFOX design language — emphasizing sustainability, generous glazing, and energy efficiency — produces a building that was the first LEED-certified condominium on the Upper East Side. COOKFOX (Cook + Fox Architects) is also responsible for the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park and a substantial body of green-building Manhattan commercial and residential projects.
Building operations
The Lucida operates as a luxury condominium with 24-hour doorman, concierge, and a comprehensive amenity program (fitness center, pool, residents' lounge, screening room, children's playroom, multiple outdoor terraces, parking garage). The amenity program is scaled appropriately to the building's 116-residence count.
Common charges and property taxes are substantial but materially more accessible than core UES trophy peers. A 1,500 sf 2BR carries combined common charges and property taxes in the $4,500–$7,500+ monthly range.
The 116-unit scale produces active annual transaction volume — typically 10–15 transactions per year.
Recent sales
Last 5–10 closed sales at The Lucida (replace this section with current ACRIS data):
[Recent sales table to be populated from ACRIS]
Sales context at The Lucida: active resale market given the substantial unit count; pricing reflects the eastern UES tier — typically materially more accessible than trophy Park / Madison / Fifth Avenue peers.
What to know if you’re buying
The Lexington / 85th positioning is transit-anchored. Immediately adjacent to the 86th Street subway hub (4/5/6/Q lines). Material for buyers prioritizing transit access.
The eastern UES neighborhood character is specific. More transit-anchored, more amenity-services-oriented than the trophy core UES tier.
Pricing is materially more accessible than trophy UES condominium peers. Substantially less expensive per square foot than The Benson, 200 East 83rd, or the Madison-Fifth side-street pre-war cooperatives.
The on-site parking garage is a structural amenity. Parking on the UES is highly constrained; building-owned parking is meaningful.
Condo flexibility is real. 30–45 day closings; foreign buyers welcome; pied-à-terre and investment use permitted; subletting allowed.
What to know if you’re selling
Pricing should reference eastern UES comparables. Do not benchmark against Park Avenue / Madison / Fifth Avenue trophy peers.
Marketing should emphasize transit access, amenities, and building services.
Pricing requires apartment-level comparable analysis given high transaction volume.
Closing timelines are condo-fast. 30–45 days.
The Roebling Team at The Lucida
The Roebling Team at Compass specializes in Central Park West, the Upper East Side, and the broader Park-facing Manhattan market — including the eastern UES luxury condominium tier. We publish this building profile because UES condominium buyers and sellers deserve building-specific intelligence.
If you're considering a purchase or sale at The Lucida, a 30-minute consultation is the right starting point.