988 Fifth Avenue Upper East Side Apartment For Sale

In the heart of Manhattan's Upper Eastside on arguably the most coveted block, this lofty home is simply iconic. For those desiring Central Park and Manhattan skyline views, beautiful natural light and voluminous rooms - this 3500+ square foot home is unequalled. With a bird's eye view of Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the George Washington Bridge and other notable buildings - the picturesque views are unsurpassed. Complementing the views the apartment features soaring 12+ foot ceiling creating volume and space while oak flooring and wood burning fireplaces provide warmth and texture. From a private elevator landing, enter the apartment via a foyer, off which an enormous living room and library offer sweeping Central Park and iconic New York City skyline views. Along an impressive gallery leads to three bedrooms with ensuite baths. The dining room and spacious kitchen provide for elegant entertaining. The apartment is in need of some TLC so bring your architect and contractor.

The condominium entrance is discretely located on quiet East 80th Street, one of the most beautiful mansion-lined blocks on the Upper East Side Historic District. There is a full-time door person, live-in Resident Manager, and the apartment includes a basement storage cage. Pets are welcome. With only twelve apartments, residents enjoy the highest level of service, privacy and security.

Historical Provenance - 988 Fifth Avenue is built on the previous site of Hugh A. Murray (988) and Nicholas F. Brady (989) townhomes. The townhomes were demolished and the building, 988 Fifth Avenue, was designed in 1925 by James E.R. Carpenter and built by Dwight P. Robinson & Company. James E.R. Carpenter is named by the New York Times as "The Architect Who Shaped Upper Fifth Avenue" and "the father of the modern large apartment in New York City". The building is 13-story tall and comprise of one apartment per floor. The 12th and 13th floor PENTHOUSE was built for Ms. Syliva Green Wilks, the daughter to Hetty Green, "the richest woman in America" at that time.

Hetty is noted to have save J.P. Morgan's bank during the Panic of 1907, writing out a check for $1.1 million (50 times that in today's marketplace). And more than once the City of New York called on Hetty to keep the city solvent.

Syliva resided in the PENTHOUSE at 988 Fifth Avenue - the 12th floor consisted of all the entertaining space - drawing room, dining room, hall, library, kitchen, servant's hall and a maid's room; while the 13th floor were the chambers, consisting of 3 bedrooms, dressing room, sitting room and four maid's room. Syliva exchanged the penthouse unit for the 3rd and 4th floor in the building where she resided on the 3rd floor and used the 4th floor as storage. Syliva passed in 1951, leaving an estate worth $90 million (approximately $990 million in 2021) which was distributed amongst 63 charities including colleges, libraries, hospitals and churches. Records indicate that the duplex Penthouse at 988 Fifth Avenue was split in two floors in 1949.

Also of note, the American actress, Grace Kelly resided in the building in the 1950's just before she left for Monaco to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco.

To conclude, the building was converted to a condominium in 1979 and there has only been two deeded owner of the unit.