530 E 76th St

Promenade Condominiums

Ever fantasized about living in a grand Upper East Side condo with soaring views of the city and fine interior details, like built-in bookcases? If so, The Promenade might be a dream come true. The building, completed in 1987, exudes a certain ostentatious Trump-era charm. Upon entering the lobby through a chrome-framed glass atrium, residents are greeted by door attendants gussied up in classic uniforms with white gloves. The lobby feels luxurious because the East River Promenade is within sight, and the walk from the street to the elevators makes it feel more like a procession than an everyday jaunt. While it might be a bit older, luxury condominiums at The Promenade in the oh-so-desirable neighborhood of Lenox Hill can be acquired at a more accessible price. Because the building was completed in 1987, each residence somewhere on the spectrum between being preserved with the original design and completely gut renovated. Regardless of the interior architecture, each unit features soaring ceilings, dynamic city or river views (many feature both) and generous square footage (there aren’t any studios in the building and the smallest one-bedroom is 680 square feet). A renovated, 780-square-foot one-bedroom on the 9th floor with a brand-new kitchen sold for $930,000 in July 2024. Similarly, a two-bedroom corner unit on the 17th story with river and city views sold for $1.3 million in April 2024. The grandest of listings, a 4,952 square foot combined duplex penthouse on floors 21 and 22, listed for $6.9 million in July 2024. The looking dramatic curved glass exterior of the sky-high amenities suite are emblematic of the 80s design aesthetic. Located on the solarium-style 39th story, the top floor features panoramic views of the East River framed by curvaceous curtain walls, which feels like being inside of a vitreous jewelry box sitting atop the Upper East Side. There, residents can find the health club, outfitted with a fitness center with the latest cardio machines and weight training equipment, a movement studio, a swimming pool, steam and sauna rooms and two hot tubs. A landscaped-around terrace frames the chambers with an outdoor running track and a lounge decked out with plush lounge furniture. There’s also a business center, kid’s playroom, tenant lounge and event space. As a full-service luxury condominium, The Promenade has a 24-hour door attendant, live-in super and round-the-clock porters. If a picturesque view of the East River wasn’t enough, one could walk outside the building to find The East River Promenade and John Jay Park — which includes a playground and community pool. Of course, there’s also the east side of Central Park, near the famed zoo. Furthermore, this specific pocket of the Upper East Side is known for its highly acclaimed public schools, including East Side Elementary, Robert F. Wagner Middle School and Eleanor Roosevelt High School. A famous private school, Lycée Français de New York, is a bilingual English and French school serving preschool through 12th grade. Residents can access nearby emergency, primary and specialty care at the neighborhood’s legendary medical center, New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, on East 70th Street and York Avenue. Meanwhile, residents could pop by live art auctions at nearby Sotheby’s. For groceries, it's about a 15-minute trek in all directions to the neighborhood’s many markets, including Morton Williams, Citarella and D’Agostino. Fun fact: every November, the NYC marathon races along First Avenue from the Queensboro Bridge, enticing a large, enthusiastic crowd. Part of the allure of living at The Promenade is access to the waterfront, but that comes at the cost of being a small odyssey from any subway station. The nearest station, 77th Street, which only services the local 6 train, is a 15-minute walk west to Lexington. 72 Street Station at 2nd Avenue provides access to the N, Q, and R lines. Meanwhile, Citi Bikes near 1st Avenue are ideal for short, local trips.