#RLS20015134, Frances W Katzen, Listing Office: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

541 E 72nd St Unit 2/3 New York City, NY 10021
Property details
About 541 E 72nd St Unit 2/3
<p><p>Welcome to a legendary piece of New York City. Rarely does an opportunity steeped in such a storied history present itself. The former residence of renowned journalist, writer, and longtime editor, George Plimpton, is now primed for its next chapter after nearly sixty years in the Plimpton family. This sprawling 4,700 square foot Upper East Side duplex has not only hosted legendary parties to the Who's Who of the literary elite and society, but also housed the offices of celebrated literary journal, The Paris Review, which Plimpton co-founded in the 1950s. In its first five years, The Paris Review published new works by Jack Kerouac, Philip Roth and Samuel Beckett, and its "Writers at Work" series included interviews with great 20th century American authors such as Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Robert Frost. These glamorous and iconic parties drew the likes of Truman Capote, Paul McCartney, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to name a few. Other famous friends and neighbors included Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Robert F. Kennedy, and Warren Beatty. This unique home is an institution in itself, a cultural mecca located on famed 72nd Street in a series of row houses known as "The Black and Whites," with their distinctive two-tone exteriors, high-gloss red lacquer front doors, and a quiet cobblestone cul-de-sac lined with iron streetlamps and a tree-lined terrace overlooking the East River. </p> <p>Described as a country house in the city, the sprawling 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath duplex residence has it all including large-scale rooms, air-conditioning throughout, custom soundproofed glazed windows, beautiful hardwood floors, and charming historical elements like inlaid tile fireplace surrounds, original ornate wooden mantles, and numerous light-filled windows overlooking the East River. From both floors, there are spectacular waterfront views spanning approximately 60 feet across the entire apartment corner to corner. With 40 windows throughout and 9-foot ceilings, this expansive space is full of light and life, ready to explore. </p> <p>Through the front door is an entry foyer and elegant powder room to greet you and your guests. Steps down to a grand sunlit double living room with stunning water views and two wood-burning fireplaces. On the north facing side of the apartment is a charming kitchen with a FiveStar range and hood, Bosch appliances, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and Caesarstone countertops, as well as an informal dining area and butler's pantry with two refrigerated beverage drawers perfect for entertaining. Off the second living room, which formerly hosted an infamous pool table, is a separate and private primary suite with walk-in closets and a renovated ensuite bathroom. Then up the handsome staircase with its stately wooden banister is an expansive second floor and four additional bedrooms, three of which have ensuite baths. A luxurious wood paneled study is off the top of the stairs leading to a large den with another wood-burning fireplace. An additional second floor corner primary suite feels like a sanctuary with its serene river views, custom built-ins, large walk-in closet, and ensuite bathroom. A full-sized laundry room completes the second floor. </p> <p>541 East 72nd Street is an established pet-friendly coop with a live-in Superintendent / Resident Manager who handles package deliveries, a full time-handyman, a bike room and storage rooms. A parking garage is located directly around the back of the building. Its location is walking distance to numerous Upper East Side schools, as well as the Q train at the 72nd Street Subway Station. Residents enjoy not only anonymity and privacy, but also secured access through double doors, key fob entry, and a video intercom system. "The Black and Whites" provide a welcome escape from the daily hustle and bustle of busy city life with their peaceful waterfront location and quaint cobblestone nook on the Upper East Side.</p> Please note the home is currently empty as seen in the unfurnished photos</p>
Highlights
Summary
- MLS Number: RLS20016616
- MLS Name: RLS
- Office Name: Douglas Elliman Real Estate
- Office Phone: (212) 891-7000
- Listing Agent: Whitney Mogavero
- Agent Phone: (917) 204-7831
©2025 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved. Website powered by IHR Technology Services.
Listing information for certain New York City properties provided courtesy of the Real Estate Board ofNew York’s Residential Listing Service (the “RLS”). The information contained in this listing has not beenverified by the RLS and should be verified by the consumer. The listing information provided here is forthe consumer’s personal, non-commercial use. Retransmission, redistribution or copying of this listing information is strictly prohibited except in connection with a consumer's consideration of the purchase and/or sale of an individual property.
This listing information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
Data displayed may be a portion of, and not a complete set of all listings published in the MLS.
This advertisement does not suggest that the broker has a listing in this property or properties or that any property is currently available.
Last updated on: 4/27/2025, 9:20:55 AM Eastern. If you have any questions regarding the accuracy of this data, please contact us at help@rockethomes.com.
Get an agent. Get a mortgage. Save big.¹

$5,250,000
541 E 72nd St Unit 2/3
Sell your home with Rocket and save even more!
Seller rebate
0.5% sale price²
Price information
Property sales
We're sorry, we currently don't have property sales data for this listing.
Tax history
We're sorry, we currently don't have tax history data for this listing.
Nearby schools
9
P.S. 158 Bayard Taylor School
Public District KG-6
0.3 mi
•1458 York Ave
8
P.S. 183 Robert L. Stevenson School
Public District KG-5
0.4 mi
•419 E 66th St
9
P.S. 290 Manhattan New School
Public District KG-5
0.6 mi
•311 E 82nd St
School ratings are a score out of 10, where 10 is the highest and 1 is the lowest.
Neighborhood
The neighbors living near this home have an average income of $119,853. The majority of New York City, NY residents have income $200k+ annually. Typical family type is single, no kids. Typical level of education for residents in this area is post secondary degree.
Similar homes for sale
This home is located at 541 E 72nd St Unit 2/3 in New York City, NY and zip code 10021 in the Upper East Side neighborhood. This 4,700 square foot home was built in 1894. Features: 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms. It has been listed on Rocket Homes since April 16, 2025 and is currently priced at $5,250,000.
While more than 180 listings in New York City, NY in March 2025 were sold above asking price, there were more than 763 listings sold at asking price, and more than 693 were sold below. The number of listings in New York City, NY increased by 5.1% between February and March 2025. In March 2025, listings were on the market for 143 days. During the same period, the median list price in this real estate market was $869,492.