The 13 Most Expensive Co-Ops in New York City

If nothing else, New York City is a town where decadence and luxury can be found in every corner.

Few real estate markets in the world are pricier, more famous, or as coveted by the rich and famous as top venues in the Big Apple.

The wild popularity of NYC real estate isn’t just limited to exclusive apartments, either.

Co-ops throughout the five boroughs are now starting to get the star treatment, too.

These ultra-luxury co-ops are now seen as status symbols that only the rich elite can afford.

Wouldn’t you want to kick back in one of these hot venues?

Of course you would. Anyone would want to be able to live in decadence in the best neighborhoods of Manhattan!

Why Choose a Co-Op?

New York City is not exactly the kind of place where most people can afford homes.

Unfortunately, if you want to actually see a return on all the money spent on rent, you’ll be sorely disappointed.

A co-op is a little different than an apartment because it also acts as an investment, in a sense.

Co-ops let you buy a share of an apartment building, pay maintenance fees, and live there.

When you want to move, you are allowed to sell off your share.

If the overall value of the co-op increased, you get to keep the profits.

This makes them a hit among people who want to build equity without giving up the city life.

The pricier the co-op, the better your life will be.

These co-ops aren’t just valuable; they offer up some of the most exclusive community connections in the city. That’s what makes them so popular.

To learn more about co-ops, read up on New York City Condo vs. Co-op

990 5th Avenue

Not much is known about this apartment, aside from the fact that it’s a triple apartment in the most exclusive part of 5th Avenue.

The co-op’s luxurious interior was designed by the very same people who created Grand Central Station, boasts incredible views, and has one of the lowest turnovers in the city.

Only a scant six apartments belong to this co-op, and the rules of use are unknown.

All we do know is that the prices for a spot topped $60 million in the past, and that Peter Lawford was once a renter here in the 1960s.

11th Floor, 944 5th Avenue

Yes, it’s another 5th Avenue apartment, and this one is slightly less mysterious than 990.

This 5,000 square foot co-op was bought up by Frank McCourt of LA Dodgers fame for $50 million back in 2017.

This makes the price per square foot a jaw-dropping $10,000!

This building that houses this uniquely pricey co-op unit has been in action since 1926, and has seen many celebrity renters during its time.

The 11th floor co-op is one of the largest in the building, with over six beds and six baths included in its floor plan.

834 Penthouse 5th Avenue

Luxury, thy name is penthouse!

Ukraine-born billionaire Leonard Blavatnik is the one who shattered records in New York City by dropping a cool $80 million on a single co-op.

The penthouse sits atop a beautiful 16-story building.

The 834 5th Ave. penthouse was designed by none other than Rosario Candela, one of the most renowned Art Deco designers in history.

Thankfully, not all apartments in this co-op are as pricey. 24 units exist in the building, with most costing an average of $20 to $30 million.

Don’t whip out your wallets just yet, though!

This co-op is known for being extremely choosy when it comes to the people they rent to.

In order to rent here, you generally have to have an extremely well-known name.

Should you rent here, be prepared for brushes with media moguls. One of your neighbors is Rupert Murdoch!

740 Park Avenue

This might be one of the smallest co-ops on this list, since the building itself is only a duplex.

That seems to just add to the demand for a spot on the renters’ waitlist, though.

Known as one of New York City’s “Towers of Power,” only the extremely rich and famous have a chance at getting this Manhattan co-op’s share.

A spot in this duplex has gone for as much as $71 million.

Former occupants include Vera Wang and Ronald Lauder of Estee Lauder.

Being a celebrity isn’t enough to get in, though. Joan Crawford once applied for a location, only to be denied by the board.

15 Central Park West

Nicknamed the “House of Outrageous Fortune” in books, people regularly acknowledge this as one of the most powerful addresses in New York City.

The 550-foot-high pair of towers have a total of 202 units, most of which are on sale for an average of $20 million or more.

Though the apartments range from a single bedroom to a quartet of beds, the amenities definitely make it worth buying if you have the money.

Some of the perks of living in this prestigious place include a movie theater, a private driveway to discourage paparazzi, and a swimming pool.

The pedigree of former (and current) residents alone is enough to make most people consider buying.

Some of the residents include Robert DeNiro, Denzel Washington, Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, and rockstar musician Sting.

1040 Fifth Avenue

Known by residents as the “10 40,” this ultra-luxe co-op can go head-to-head with most other famous co-ops and win.

This 27-unit building is hailed as one of the greatest apartments to be built in the 1920s, and has since hosted some of the most recognizable names in the world—including former First Lady Jackie Onassis.

The average price of a place in 1040 is around $17 million, making it one of the more ‘affordable’ apartment buildings on this place.

That being said, every single floor of this apartment is worth the money, especially since it was designed by Robert Candela himself.

960 Fifth Avenue

If you’re looking to schmooze with billionaires and A-list celebrities, then you definitely will want to check out 960 Fifth Avenue.

This co-op made headlines after Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris plunked down a shocking $65 million in order to buy up this building’s five-bedroom penthouse a couple of years ago.

Like others that have made headlines, this apartment building is a “Candela building” that is synonymous with old world New York City wealth.

The units are exorbitantly pricey, ranging from anywhere from $3.5 million to $48 million for non-penthouse choices.

785 Fifth Avenue

This co-op goes by a lot of different names, including Park Cinq and Park V. No matter what you choose to call it, it’s hard to deny how insanely luxurious this Roth-designed apartment building is.

Part of the attraction people have to this building deals with its close proximity to major landmarks like Barney’s, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Center.

Of course, others just flock to this 58-unit building because of the crazy amenities it offers and the star-studded resident list it boasts.

David Geffen is proof of concept, since the music mogul bough not one, but two units in the building for his own personal use. The total he spent was a whopping $68.7 million.

2 East 67th Street

Believe it or not, this entry was once the most expensive co-op in New York City back in the day.

Even though there are now pricier units on the market, this luxury apartment definitely isn’t anything to sneer at.

The prices of the units typically range from $25 to $55 million, and the application process is grueling.

Some of the former and current tenants include Myrna Ronson, Lee Lehman Johnathan Tisch, and Leonard Lauder.

Only 15 units exist in this building, so it’s very rare to hear of a sale that goes on at this upscale address.

1060 Fifth Avenue

It seems like the co-op next door to Robert DeNiro might just be as expensive as his own.

This apartment building was designed by the esteemed J.E.R Carpenter during the 1920s and still retains its old world charm in every nook and cranny.

This co-op rests in the heart of Museum Mile and is known for its elegant marble bathrooms, sprawling interiors, and a historic pedigree few can match.

Apartments in this ultra-exclusive co-op range from $10 million to upwards of $30 million apiece.

927 Fifth Ave

This apartment building may be sky-high, but don’t be fooled.

Not many units are available in this co-op! In fact, only 12 units exist in here—one for each floor of the building.

This striking apartment overlooks lush gardens, is close to major shopping landmarks, and also has one of the best architectural designs on the market.

927 is a co-op that’s known for attracting a particularly glitzy crowd. Some of the past residents include names like Mary Tyler Moore and Paula Zahn.

That being said, it’s a co-op that prides itself on being an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Mark

If you’re a native New Yorker, you might be surprised to see The Mark on a list of the most expensive co-ops in the city.

After all, this building located on 25 E 77th Manhattan, is mostly known for being a hotel. However, it’s not just a hotel; the penthouse duplexes inside function as a very exclusive, very low-key co-op.

These relatively new units are still green to the market, but that doesn’t mean they come cheap. Each penthouse is valued at around $60 million a pop.

432 East 52nd Street

This 26-unit apartment building is known as The River House, where the finest of the city congregate.

The bottom portion of The River House belongs to the ultra-exclusive River Club, where the likes of David A. Koch and Aerin Lauder enjoy their days.

The top portion is famous for being one of the biggest bastions of the “old money” crowd.

The co-op’s standards are regularly said to be the strictest in the city.

People who do not meet liquidity standards are rejected without a blink.

Potential tenants that could bring unwanted media to the building’s doors are denied just as quickly.

Some of the former tenants of The River House include Henry Kissinger, Alexandra Penney, Uma Thurman, and Kermit Roosevelt.