345 E 80th St

East Winds Condominium

Clad in limestone with a patina that suggests maturity and a learned elegance only found in Manhattan, East Winds Condominiums is a standard, full-service Upper East Side condo with 378 units spread across 31 stories. The lobby is lively, to say the least; it’s a passing zone for kids with backpacks, tenants carrying yoga mats or pickleball paddles and business casual adults with manila folders peeking out of their leather tote bags. There is an air of intimacy – mom-and-pop shops, neighborhood restaurants and a fountain pen repair shop – that gives the building its friendly feeling. Besides the amenities, services and individual residences, the location is just a stone’s throw from Central Park. Meanwhile, some families move to this neighborhood just to be zoned for P.S. 290 Manhattan New School, a pre-K through grade 5 school whose students test almost double city average scores. Because the condo was built in 1976, not all units are the same, depending on how often they’ve been rented out and renovated. According to property management, most condos have been remodeled with contemporary finishes and fixtures, including new layouts designed to maximize space and light, wide-plank oak flooring, Caesarstone quartz countertops and GE stainless steel appliances. As evident from the building’s exterior, most residences have private terraces. A 1-bedroom with 650 square feet, crown moldings, custom built-in cabinetry and a Fisher Paykel refrigerator starts at $825,000. Likewise, a 2-bedroom with 898 square feet on the 16th floor with a balcony and in-unit washer/dryer starts at $1.1 million. East Winds Condominiums is a full-service residence with a 24-hour door attendant and a live-in super to help with day-to-day odds and ends. In addition to an in-unit washer/dryer, there is a central laundry room with dry cleaning services. Residents have access to the private roof deck on the top floor, which offers lounge chairs for sunbathing and tables for dining with a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. Bike and personal storage are available for an additional charge, both of which are waitlisted. For residents with cars, there is an in-building garage with personal spots for an additional charge. Furthermore, the condo was recently renovated in all the common areas and hallways with contemporary finishes and sound-absorbing acoustic barriers. Geographically, Yorkville stretches from East 79th Street to East 96th Street between Third Avenue and the FDR. The area is in a sweet spot between the East River and Central Park, both of which residents can easily make a part of their everyday lives for a morning jog or a scenic Sunday picnic. Meanwhile, one can’t forget the legendary luxury shops lining Madison Avenue, including Ralph Lauren’s boutique and café, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s spa, Christian Louboutin and Hermes, among others. Some of New York’s most iconic cultural institutions are within reach, including The Met, the Guggenheim Museum, Neue Gallerie, The Frick Collection and Gagosian Gallery. Just next door in the gallery’s basement, Kappa Masa serves famously extortionate sushi by chef Masayoshi Takayama. Likewise, Saint Ambroeus Madison plates pricey Milanese classics, like tagliatelle alla bolognese, saffron risotto and breaded veal. For groceries, there’s a mecca of supermarkets in the neighborhood, including the Morton Williams directly across the street. There’s also Target, Citarella and Fairway within walking distance. Residents are within walking distance – two to six blocks – from two subway stations. The 77th Street station at Lexington Avenue services the 4, 5 and 6 trains. Similarly, the 86th Street station provides access to the N, Q and R trains. Via car service or private car, FDR Drive is a straight shot down 80th Street to the freeway exit. East Winds Condominiums requires 10% down, allowing up to 90% of the total cost to be financed. Plus, the cooperative build identifies as an “investor-friendly” property, meaning they tend to be easygoing about owners renting out units – this is, of course, based on approval after the extensive screening process. Monthly maintenance fees start at $645 for a 1-bedroom. It should be noted, this residence does not qualify for tax abatement.