A Storied Fifth Avenue Penthouse Hits the Market for the First Time in Over 60 Years

Fifth Avenue penthouses with Central Park views are always in demand—but few offer the combination of scale, privacy, and untapped potential found in this estate-like aerie. Occupying the coveted Gold Coast corner of Fifth Avenue and East 86th Street, the exceptional full-floor residence is now available for the first time since the building’s debut in 1959 and after more than six decades under the care of a single family.

Listing agents Tate Kelly and Josue Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Warburg call the legacy property "elegant, light-filled and refined." The expansive 8-room co-op lives up to that description, whether its next owner chooses to leave the interiors as-is or reimagine them entirely, they say. The storied residence spans approximately 3,000 square feet and offers up to five bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, and three private terraces—all capturing iconic vistas of the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

A premier setting on a semi-private floor with only one other residence gives the home the feeling of being a single-family dwelling. A gracious foyer and elongated gallery create a welcoming presence as you walk inside. Light pours into the oversized corner living room from south- and west-facing windows, offering cinematic views of Central Park that shift with the seasons. A private terrace extends from this space, perfect for morning espresso or golden-hour entertaining. Adjacent lies a formal dining room large enough for elegant soirées, along with a windowed kitchen and a separate guest suite or office.

A flexible bedroom wing allows for a wide variety of living arrangements. The current configuration includes three generously proportioned bedrooms and a fifth room that functions seamlessly as a library or private study, complete with its own south-facing terrace overlooking the Met. The primary suite serves as a tranquil retreat, featuring a private terrace, en-suite bath with a window, a walk-in closet, and custom cabinetry-lined hallways for discreet, abundant storage.

Additional features include in-unit laundry, through-wall air conditioning, and exceptional closet space throughout. While beautifully maintained and move-in ready, the residence offers a rare canvas for personalization—ideal for those seeking to reimagine a classic Fifth Avenue penthouse through a modern lens.

Designed by architects Melvin D. Lipman and Bernard Spitzer, 1050 Fifth Avenue is one of Fifth Avenue’s most distinguished postwar buildings. The full-service cooperative offers a 24-hour doorman, live-in resident manager, full-time staff, fitness center, common storage, garage, bike room, and laundry facilities. The building permits 50% financing, is pet-friendly, and allows pied-à-terre ownership on a case-by-case basis. Its Upper East Side location is nothing short of iconic—across from the Neue Galerie and Central Park, two blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and surrounded by the cafés, boutiques, and cultural touchpoints that define Madison Avenue and Museum Mile.

View the complete listing by Tate Kelly and Josue Gonzalez, Coldwell Banker Warburg.