Convenience, Culture and European Chic: Tristan Harper’s Upper East Side

By David Graver View the full issue. Tristan Harper has spent his whole New York City life—upward of 32 years—on the Upper East Side. For more than 20 years, he traversed 63rd Street, residing in four different apartments in three different buildings. Afterward, he moved just two blocks north to a co-op on Park Avenue, a location he still calls home today. Harper is a top producing agent and an award-winning broker. Most recently, he received the highest tradepeer recognition by being named “Agent of the Year” by the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY). What is appealing to you about the Upper East Side? The feel of the Upper East Side is sophisticated, comfortable and cultured. In that sense it feels very European to me. Since I come from that part of the world, it’s the closest to back home. It’s primarily residential and quieter than many other areas. It’s clean and safe. It offers many nice little stores next to luxury designer boutiques, the choice of quality restaurants, quaint caffes, world-class museums, all within walking distance. It feels like a real neighborhood. It is a combination I call European chic. Have you found a community on the Upper East Side? Absolutely! Most of my friends live here, and clients too. I’ve met many in the neighborhood. While not all are native New Yorkers, we all adopted the Upper East Side as our New York home. What about younger residents moving in? What does the Upper East Side have to offer them? Having brokered countless transactions in the area, I observed an interesting trend among Upper East Siders. Many who were raised on the Upper East Side chose to leave their uptown childhood homes to live in downtown neighborhoods. Others start their careers in midtown and wish to live closer to work. But, several years later, in their late twenties or early thirties, many decide to come back to the Upper East Side. They go back to their roots. They feel they are returning home. That’s the appeal. Could you describe your neighborhood if you were to walk out your door? From my home I see are the Park Avenue Malls. They’re beautifully landscaped and they change seasonally. It’s either the trees decorated for the holidays, or the tulips in the spring, or the colorful mums in the fall. There are often outdoor sculpture installations by some of the world’s most renowned artists. Two blocks North is the famous Park Avenue Armory with amazing cultural programming throughout the year. Two blocks west is my “backyard,” Central Park. Everything is close and easy to reach. Do you have personal recommendations you’d like to share? For outdoor activities, Central Park is a must. Expansive, well maintained and with so many options to stroll, run or just lounge. For everything else, that comes back to our sense of community. New Yorkers tend to live within five to ten blocks from their homes. We all have our local dry cleaners. Our brunch spots. Our neighborhood hangouts. There are so many I could mention, but everyone picks their own. Every community has them. For someone looking at NYC from the outside, what might the Upper East Side offer them? The Upper East Side is primarily a residential area, and the largest one in the city. The real estate choices abound. There are homes for everyone’s taste and budget. From starter apartments in smaller buildings to grand prewar co-ops, from new condos with amazing amenities to traditional townhouses. What about the architecture of the Upper East Side? This is another element that makes the Upper East Side so desirable. Some of the most beautiful architecture from different periods and styles are here. Stately prewar buildings overlooking Central Park, or stunning new high-rises throughout the area, as well as many historic mansions along quaint side streets. Is there anything you feel like people need to know about living on the Upper East Side? It offers a unique blend of convenience, culture and upscale lifestyle. It is among the most affluent, yet one of the more affordable areas in the city to live in. It is where the real estate saying “location, location, location!” applies the most. It is safe. It is welcoming. To many, included, it feels like home.