20 East End

East End Avenue

At just eleven blocks in length—roughly one mile—East End Avenue is a haven within New York’s Upper East Side that has cultivated an identity all its own.

Many longtime residents relish the area’s quiet, small-town atmosphere and placid river views. Even the residences on East End Avenue differ from most Upper East Side condos in that most of them—including recent additions—seem to fit right in with the overall ambiance of the area. New condos are designed with the history and feel of the famed block in mind. Because East End Avenue is not a bustling thoroughfare, neighborhood traffic tends to be local and low key. And though the change of pace this neighborhood provides is a welcome respite from all the activity of New York City, East End Avenue is situated right around the corner from all NYC has to offer.

Running along the avenue from East 84th to East 90th Streets, meticulously landscaped Carl Schurz Park with its inviting bluestone-lined pathways embodies the area’s accessible charm. After just a short walk to the park from an Upper East Side apartment, one can trade in steel for wood, concrete for grass, and stress for relaxation. The park has jogging trails that run along the water, well-maintained dog runs, and playgrounds for neighborhood children. Originally designed by Calvert Vaux and Samuel Parsons and completed in 1902, Carl Schurz Park was renovated by Robert Moses in 1935 in order to make room for FDR Drive. In the 1970s the not-for-profit group Carl Schurz Park Association was formed to breathe new life into the urban oasis through renovations of its playground with its signature, well-loved Peter Pan statue. Today, the park also plays host to the annual Sunset Film Festival, a Summer Sounds open-air concert series, and numerous organized activities for children.

Much of what helps East End Avenue maintain its unique appeal is the preservation of its original structures. Of its 32 Queen Anne-style townhouses designed by architects Hugh Lamb and Charles Alonzo Rich in 1882, 24 still stand today. These elegant row homes comprise the Henderson Place Historic District. Nearby Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor of New York City, has been an East End Avenue landmark since 1799. Sitting at the north end of Carl Schurz Park, it is an architectural gem from another time that, despite many renovations, is still a prime example of the Federal style of architecture.