200 E 24th St

The Crystal House

From the rooftop of the 19-story Chrystal House, the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings dramatically punctuate the surrounding Manhattan skyline. The newly renovated rooftop terrace delivers a private outdoor space above the crossroads of the Kips Bay and Gramercy neighborhoods, with additional roof rights available to select 19th floor occupants . At East 24th Street and Third Avenue, the Chrystal House appears to be an unassuming post-war co-op building, but it’s also a place where owners can express themselves with custom conversions—and plenty have done so. The Manhattan location and the flexibility of a liberal cooperative appeals to both pied-a-terre buyers and full-time residents. Most of the building’s 164 units are well-apportioned one and two-bedrooms, though there are some studios as well. One-bedrooms range from $510,000 for tidy units with ample closet space to $799,000 for roomy top-floor residences with full-floor layouts offering living room views of Midtown. Two bedrooms can range from $800,000 to $1.3 million, with a custom three-bedroom—created by combining two units to allow for an enlarged kitchen, home office space and private laundry room—going for $1.5 million. This unit includes features like a Scandinavian-style en suite bath off the primary bedroom. Studios can go for between $499,000 and $559,000. Because of the individualization of units, variety can be found in both the floorplans and appliances. Most residences include hardwood flooring and gas stovetops, though a one-bedroom pied-a-terre might include a built-in microwave convection oven rather than a traditional oven. Kitchens also run the gamut from compact galley spaces to broad open kitchens with custom islands and additional hanging wood cabinetry. The Chrystal House’s small, tiled lobby hosts a 24-hour doorman, and the building has a live-in super. Two gold patinaed elevators carry residents to their units or to the large basement laundry room. Residents also have access to the rooftop space which functions as a nice outdoor lounging and entertaining area, especially during warmer months. Both pets and subletting are allowed. While parking is not available, there are third-party garages in the area, though there may be waitlists. Maintenance fees do tend to be higher here than in comparable buildings, with 1-3% increases to be expected each year. The address on East 24th Street puts the building just three blocks away from Madison Square Park and within reach of a myriad of NoMad restaurants and shops. It’s also just a couple blocks from the beautiful and exclusive Gramercy Park, and the idyllic streets that surround it. Baruch College is a neighbor, occupying the block between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue, as is New York Comedy Club, on East 24th Street closer to Second Avenue. Residents also have grocery stores within reach, including D'agostino Supermarket, a block and a half north, and Morton Williams on Park Avenue South and East 22nd Street. The Chrystal House’s location gives easy access to the 6 train, as well as the R and W trains, from East 23rd Street. It’s also close to the hospitals and healthcare facilities to the east of 1st Avenue, for those who may work in the area. Residences along Third Avenue are being impacted by a project currently under construction by the Naftali Group that is expected to be a 19-story building with retail and residential space.