Financier’s UES Townhouse Rules Manhattan’s Luxury Market

A financier’s Upper East Side townhouse snagged Manhattan’s priciest inked deal last week — but with a discount.

The six-story home at 127 East 73rd Street last asked $28 million, about an $8 million dip from its initial price when it hit the market in April, according to Olshan Realty’s weekly report. The property was one of 32 in the borough asking $4 million or more to find buyers between Feb. 28 and March 2.

The townhouse is likely trading for less than its last purchase price back in 2008, when former Bank of America president Thomas Montag and his wife, philanthropist and former banker Janet Montag, bought the home for $32.5 million. The couple bought the home under an LLC, and it appears Thomas transferred ownership to Janet two years ago, according to property records.

The renovated home, built by Stanford White in 1904, spans 10,000 square feet and has six bedrooms and five bathrooms. It also features a basketball court on the fifth floor, an elevator and garden.

Compass’ Patricia Farman-Farmaian and Laurie Stolowitz had the listing.

The second most expensive home to find a buyer was a penthouse at 212 West 72nd Street, with an asking price of just over $19 million. The 4,600-square-foot apartment has five bedrooms and five bathrooms. It also features a library and balcony.

Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, led by Ammanda Espinal and Maya Kadouri, is heading sales at the building, which launched in 2020. The 106-unit building, developed by Centurion Real Estate Partners, includes amenities such as a doorman, fitness center and rooftop terrace.

Last week’s total was up from the previous period, when just 17 contracts were signed post-President’s Day. Just two of the 32 pending deals were for homes asking more than $10 million.

Of the properties, 19 were condos, nine were co-ops and four were townhouses.

The homes’ combined asking price was $233 million, which works out to an average price of $7.3 million and a median of $6 million. The typical home spent more than 630 days on the market and was discounted 9 percent from the original listing price.

The priciest homes to hit the market last week were both at 53 West 53rd Street, including a penthouse asking nearly $65 million, according to the Eklund-Gomes team’s weekly report.