870 UN Plaza

870 United Nations Plaza is touted as one of Manhattan’s most prestigious addresses. It’s steeped in the cultural and social history of New York, with all of the luxury, comfort and security of contemporary living.

Consisting of two 38-story towers, the plaza was constructed in 1966 and designed with a bronze and glass facade in the Modernist spirit by Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz, the lead architects for the United Nations headquarters.

The Orsid Realty-managed buildings boast 48 duplex apartments with contained elevators, and offer stunning one to five bedroom residences, all with gracious layouts, soaring ceiling heights and room-by-room ventilation controls. There are also floor to ceiling windows allowing unobstructed views of New York’s dramatic cityscape — and they open to allow for fresh air.

There are plenty of amenities, too: a 24 hour doorman and full service concierge, laundry facilities, two furnished sun decks, a fully equipped fitness center with pilates rooms, a family oriented playground, adjacent dog park, spacious storage rooms and a contained garage with inside access and in-house valet.

As for nearby schools, the building is zoned for 59 Beekman Hill International at 233 E 56th St. And commuters will benefit from being within walking distance from Grand Central Station and close to the FDR Drive.

From the moment the doors opened in the late 1960’s to the present, 870 and its neighbor — 860 United Nations Plaza — have been home to some of New York’s most prominent figures. For example, the late great newsman Walter Cronkite actually owned three co-ops in 870: a three-bedroom, where he lived; a one-bedroom, where he worked; and a 150-square-foot studio with sweeping views of the East River and its bridges, which he used for guests (h/t New York Times).

His estate has since sold all three.