The Plan: At 175 East 82nd, the Light Shines — and a Penthouse Costs $30M

When John Cetra, founding principal of CetraRuddy, designs a residential project, his first thought is always “How would I want to live there?” And that question was top of mind for him, his wife and partner Nancy Ruddy, as well as others involved with bringing to life Douglaston Development’s luxury Upper East Side condominium building at 175 East 82nd Street. 

“It’s the Upper East Side, and 82nd Street is perfect,” Cetra said of the property’s location near the corner of 82nd Street and Third Avenue. “There is a family vibe up here. … And we did a lot of research that was really critical to how the layouts were designed. We thought about the experience — not just the efficiency of the floor plate, but really how it feels going from one space to the next.” 

Sales at 175 East 82nd Street launched in September, and construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027. There will be 73 condominium units filling the 38-story brick building. Tenant amenities that will span the 24th and 25th floors include a 40-foot indoor pool, a sauna, and a fitness center with a Pilates and yoga studio. There will also be a resident lounge, an outdoor terrace loggia, a screening lounge and a children’s playroom. 

The lobby will be anchored by a limestone colonnade, a sculptural stone reception desk and a chandelier. The building will also include 3,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Private automated parking is included with the purchase of a penthouse.

When designing the building’s interiors, a key focus was on natural light and how the spaces will be used by the families expected to live in the building. Even the handmade, handlaid brick facade will embrace the glow as the shifts in natural light cause subtle changes in its natural colors. 

“Embracing natural light was key. We created refined detailing that would be highlighted by the changing light that permeates each home through the gracious windows,” Ruddy said in a statement. “The careful textures, materials and artistry in the home bring a sense of depth and warmth to every space.”

Units range from one-bedrooms to four-bedrooms, with a two-bed split unit selling for $5 million, said Josh Young, of the Young Development Group at Brown Harris Stevens. Young and his team are handling sales in the building. 

The penthouses will be magnificent when completed, and even in the current state of construction the idea for what will emerge is already visible. Views from the 6,000-square-foot duplex penthouse include the George Washington Bridge, the East River and Central Park. The great room has 30-foot ceilings, and the main bathroom has a terrace and a freestanding deep-soaking tub.  

That unit will likely go for somewhere in the $30 million to $40 million range, Young said.  

“What makes this property so compelling is that every residence was carefully considered, from the overall unit mix to the layout of each home, to create spaces that truly support the way people want to live today,” Young said in a statement. “Combined with Douglaston’s nearly 50 years of experience and reputation for quality, this is a building that will stand apart for years to come and deliver lasting value for its owners.”

Amanda Schiavo can be reached at aschiavo@commercialobserver.com.