250 E 54th St

The Mondrian

Yes, The Mondrian is named after the famous modern artist Piet Mondrian, often associated with his abstract grids in primary colors. In fact, he lived nearby in a studio at 353 East 56th Street in the early 1940s. As for the condo, the L-shaped building evokes the artist with red and blue bands wrapping around its 43 stories and makes a statement in a neighborhood populated by red brick or glass-and-steel structures. It’s also notable for being a condo in a majority co-op neighborhood. But The Mondrian started out as Le Grand Palais, completed in 1992 by Fox and Fowle Architects, now called FXCollaborative. According to a 1991 New York Times article, the postmodern new construction condo stood out for featuring a glass facade instead of brick; apparently this choice allowed it to blend in with nearby office buildings. But sales tanked along with the economy, and a 1996 New York Times article later reported how the building sat empty for two years before rebranding and opening sales again. Despite its rocky start, The Mondrian’s 174 units eventually sold, although a percentage are rented out. The original design favored mostly one- and two-bedrooms, but threw in a good number of studios and a dozen three-bedrooms, including a handful of penthouse floors. Today’s exact breakdown is difficult to determine since smaller units were also designed to be combined with larger ones in accordance with market demand. That said, studios start at 376 square feet and a recent one sold for $627,000. Three bedrooms with about 1,700 square feet have sold for as much as $2.7 million. Combined units with more than 2,000 square feet rarely hit the market; there hasn’t been one since 2020, which sold for $3 million. Some unrenovated units still contain original marble bathrooms, black-and-white checkered kitchen tiles and herringbone floors. Otherwise, standard features entail nine-foot ceilings with picture windows and stacked in-unit washers and dryers. Most units facing Second Avenue feature small balconies, but even those without balconies offer impressive views of the East River or skyline views from the higher floors. Mondrian-inspired elements continue in the lobby with a modern, grid-like light fixture illuminating the Mondrian grid wall behind the front desk — minus the primary colors. As expected for a building of this stature, full-time staff includes a door attendant and on-site maintenance. Amenities are rather lackluster: The main standout for a building of this age is the landscaped fifth-floor terrace outfitted with lounge chairs and umbrella-topped tables, except views aren’t as dramatic at this level. The Equinox on the lower floor isn’t an official amenity, but it’s tough to beat its convenience since members don’t need to leave the building for a workout. Sutton Place has long been an exclusive enclave populated with white-glove buildings. It’s more residential than surrounding neighborhoods but doesn’t lack basics and leisure. Besides the Equinox in the building, casual restaurants, bars and coffee shops line Second Avenue, with more options along First and Third Avenues and the side streets. Plus, despite Sutton Place’s small footprint, the area is home to both Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Otherwise, shopping is a bit underwhelming, but more options can be found west of Third Avenue, like the flagship Bloomindale’s department store at 59th and Lexington. For greenspace, a recently completed $100 million project added five parks along the waterfront, including a promenade and playground with a sandbox. Transportation options are above average for a location this far east, including the E and M lines right around the corner. The local 6 train is a few blocks further at 51st, while crosstown buses chug along 57th Street. The Roosevelt Island Tramway at 59th and Second Avenue technically goes to Queens, but many riders take it for the scenic views and a day out on quiet Roosevelt Island.