• buy
  • rent
  • sell
  • agents
new developmentWORLD OF ELLIMAN
The latest in luxury property, lifestyle & culture, curated just for you.

company

  • about us
  • leadership
  • offices
  • press & news
  • elliman cares
  • join as an agent
  • careers
  • INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
  • THE ISLES GROUP
  • investors

resources

  • WORLD OF ELLIMAN
  • elliman insider
  • magazines
  • market reports
  • research reports
  • The wealth report
  • Elliman Exclusives
  • Featured Cities
  • guides to buying & selling

brand portfolio

  • new development
  • commercial
  • relocation
  • property management
  • sports & entertainment
  • farm & ranch
  • building broker specialists
  • title services
  • master trust & probate

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
  • Mid-Atlantic
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • New York City
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • SITE MAP
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY
  • COOKIE PREFERENCES
  • DO NOT SELL OR SHARE MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
  • NYS Housing Discrimination Disclosure Notice & Form
  • NYS Standard Operating Procedure
  • NYS Tenants' Rights to Reasonable Accommodations for persons with disabilities
  • California Consumer Privacy Act Notice
  • Texas Consumer Protection Notice
  • Texas Real Estate Commission Information About Brokerage Services
  • text of new york city human rights law
  • new york city commission on human rights
  • nyc source of income discrimination information
  • nyc source of income discrimination tenant faqs

THE SOURCE OF THE DISPLAYED DATA IS EITHER THE PROPERTY OWNER OR PUBLIC RECORD PROVIDED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL THIRD PARTIES. IT IS BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED. FOR COLORADO VIEWERS, INFORMATION ABOUT NON-COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IS PROVIDED EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOUR PERSONAL, NON-COMMERCIAL USE.

575 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 10022. 212.891.7000 © 2025 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES, OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT, OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.LISTING DATA REFRESHED ON MAY 16 2025 AT 7:17 AM.

DOUGLAS ELLIMAN IS A LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER IN CALIFORNIA WITH LICENSE # 01947727, COLORADO WITH LICENSE # EC100053892, CONNECTICUT WITH LICENSE # REB.0314827, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WITH LICENSE # REO40000160, FLORIDA WITH LICENSE # CQ1020232, MARYLAND WITH LICENSE # 645270, MASSACHUSETTS WITH LICENSE # 422764, NEVADA WITH LICENSE # 1454643, NEW JERSEY WITH LICENSE # 0572105, NEW YORK WITH LICENSE # 10991211812, TEXAS WITH LICENSE # 9008706, AND VIRGINIA WITH LICENSE # 0226035659.

POWERED BY PURLIN.AI

541 E 72ND St 2/3

new york, NY 10021

$5,250,000

  • 5 BR
    6 BA, 1 HALF BA
    APPROX. 4,700 SF
  • logodouglas elliman exclusive

GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR AGENTS

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.

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.

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.

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.

Please note the home is currently empty as seen in the unfurnished photos

Details

4,700 Sq Ft

Co-op

$11,394 Monthly Maintenance/CC

Built in 1894

MLS/Listing ID 23421289

Buyer’s Agent Compensation: 2.5%

The Black & Whites

5 Stories

20 Units

Amenities & Features

Bike Room

Pets Allowed

Air Conditioning

Exposures: North, South, East

In Unit Washer/Dryer

River View

Wood Fireplace

Listing Courtesy of DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE, WHITNEY MOGAVERO - 212-224-7322

REBNY

Source of Data: REAL ESTATE BOARD OF NEW YORK

541 E 72ND St 2/3 in the news

See Inside the NYC Duplex Where Jackie Kennedy Partied and Literary History Was Made

Apr 24, 2025Yahoo! News

For $5.25 Million, Own the NYC Duplex Where Literary History Was Made

Apr 24, 2025Elle Décor

Home of the Legendary George Plimpton

Apr 21, 2025Top Ten Real Estate Deals

The Upper East Side co-op where George Plimpton entertained the literary elite asks $5.25M

Apr 21, 20256sqft

Interested in 541 E 72ND St 2/3?

This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

©2025 The Real Estate Board of New York, Inc., All rights reserved.