Listing Courtesy of Compass
$20,000,000
Potential Rebate: $300,000
<b>SHOWINGS BEGIN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH</b>
<b>990 Fifth Avenue, Residence 8/9</b>
<b>13 Rooms | 4 Bedrooms | 5.5 Bathrooms | 5 Fireplaces | Approximate Square Footage: 4,372 Sq Ft</b>
Ideally located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 80th Street, <b>this extraordinary and architecturally important 13-room pre-war duplex residence of rare provenance is being offered for the first time since the building was built in 1927, and remarkably with the original floor plan and details intact.</b> Formerly on the site of the <b>F.W. Woolworth Mansion</b>, 990 Fifth Avenue, designed by <b>Rosario Candela</b>, the foremost architect of luxury pre-war apartment houses, consists of only six grand residences, five duplexes, and one penthouse triplex, offering unique intimacy, privacy, and exclusivity as well as the highest levels of service and security.
While the apartment needs a full renovation, it maintains the marvelous bones and details of Candela's original design. A <b>private elevator landing</b> opens into the apartment with its <b>soaring 11 foot ceilings</b>, and one enters the foyer from which all the entertaining rooms radiate. The <b>grand corner and light-filled living room</b> features antique parquet floors, exquisite moldings, a <b>fireplace with a stunning marble mantle</b>, and boasts <b>breathtaking views of Central Park, Central Park West, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the midtown skyline</b>. The <b>inviting panelled library</b> also has a <b>wood-burning fireplace</b> with marble mantle, as does the <b>formal dining room</b>, which has <b>magnificent inlaid marble floors</b>. A kitchen, butler's pantry, three staff rooms, and a bathroom complete this floor.
The <b>exquisitely ornate and regal wrought-iron staircase with gold leaf accents</b> leads to the private quarters upstairs. This floor has 9'4" ceilings and features an <b>enormously grand corner Primary Bedroom Suite</b> complete with a <b>large dressing room, fireplace, and ensuite bath</b>, which enjoys the same sensational light and views as the living room immediately below. Down the long corridor lined with walk-in closets are <b>three large bedrooms, each with an ensuite bath</b>, with one essentially serving as a <b>Second Primary Suite with its own wood-burning fireplace and dressing area</b>, which could also easily function as a study area.
This special residence has an extraordinary history. <b>It was originally purchased by George Crawford in 1927, where he lived with his wife, Annie Laurie, and their daughter, Martha "Sunny" Sharp Crawford, the American heiress</b>, who grew up in this apartment and went on to marry <b>Prince Alfred von Auersperg of Austria</b> and later <b>Claus von Bülow</b>. Sunny's mother, Annie Laurie, later married <b>Russell Barnett Aitken</b>, a celebrated ceramic sculptor, sportsman, author, and big game hunter. Together, they pursued their shared interests in houses, English and French furniture, arms and armor, and fine decoration, as well as many philanthropic causes. <b>The Annie Laurie Aitken English Galleries and The Russell Barnett Aitken Arms and Armor Galleries</b>, both at the <b>Metropolitan Museum of Art</b>, represent their generosity to that institution located across the street from their home. After nearly 30 years of marriage, Annie Laurie died in 1984. Years later, Russell Aitken married <b>Irene Boyd Roosevelt</b>, the widow of <b>John Aspinwall Roosevelt</b>, the youngest son of <b>Eleanor and President Franklin D. Roosevelt</b>, who lived in the apartment until her passing in the spring of 2025.
The proceeds from the sale of the apartment will be donated to the <b>Frick Collection</b>, the <b>Metropolitan Museum of Art</b> and the <b>Morgan Library & Museum</b>, continuing the tradition of cultural philanthropy embodied by its former residents.
A legacy apartment like this very rarely comes on the market and is an opportunity not to be missed.
<b>Apartment Highlights:</b>
-13 rooms,
$127,448 per month
30 year fixed, 6.28% Interest
One-time rebate at closing
$300,000
Monthly savings impact
$833/mo
💡 Estimated at 1.5% of purchase price
The rebate is paid to you at closing and can help offset closing costs or other expenses.
Calculator Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual monthly payments, interest rates, taxes, and rebate amounts may vary. The rebate calculation is an estimate and subject to final terms. This information is not provided by the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).
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RLS IDX Data display by Real Estate Rebate Team. 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. IDX information is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use and it may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
All information furnished regarding property for sale, rental or financing is from sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or representation is made as to the accuracy thereof and same is submitted subject to errors, omissions, change of price, rental or other conditions, prior sale, lease or financing or withdrawal without notice. All dimensions are approximate. For exact dimensions, you must hire your own architect or engineer and for no listing shall the number of bedrooms listed be considered a legal conclusion.
The Real Estate Rebate Team
Listing Courtesy of Compass
Data Source: TRESTLE #RLS20057289

Compare average listing prices and value metrics for 990 5th Avenue against the surrounding Upper East Side market.
than the Upper East Side price-per-sq-ft average
This building commands a premium compared to the neighborhood baseline. This typically indicates superior amenities, newer construction, or prime positioning within Upper East Side.
The Upper East Side (UES) is the epitome of classic New York wealth and culture. Stretching from Central Park to the East River, it is home to Museum Mile, Madison Avenue fashion, and some of the most prestigious addresses in the world. For buyers seeking Upper East Side Manhattan real estate, it offers a lifestyle of polished elegance and safety.
Living in the Upper East Side ranges from the ultra-luxury of Fifth Avenue to the bustling, younger energy of Second Avenue. As a premier Manhattan NYC neighborhood, it remains the gold standard for residential stability and top-tier schools.
The market for homes for sale in the Upper East Side is surprisingly diverse. While famous for $20 million townhouses and co-ops, the eastern avenues (Yorkville) offer excellent value for studios and one-bedrooms.
It is valid to say it has two markets: the "Gold Coast" west of Lexington (historic, expensive, co-op heavy) and the area east of Lexington (more condos, more rentals, more affordable).
The lifestyle on the UES is refined. Residents spend weekends at the Met or the Guggenheim, jogging in Central Park, and dining at established bistros. It is less trendy than downtown but more livable.
The community is generational. You will see grandmothers and toddlers who both grew up in the neighborhood. It feels established, clean, and manicured.
The Upper East Side was transformed by the Second Avenue Subway (Q train), which relieved pressure on the 4/5/6 line. Now, the area feels incredibly connected to Midtown and downtown.
The crosstown buses through the park (at 65th, 79th, 86th, 96th) are vital lifelines to the West Side.
Central Park is the neighborhood's front yard. Carl Schurz Park on the East River is a hidden gem with a dog run and promenade.
Amenities are world-class. The area has the highest concentration of private schools in the city (Dalton, Spence, Chapin) and top hospitals (Lenox Hill, Mt Sinai), making it a magnet for families and professionals.
The Upper East Side is best for families, culture lovers, and anyone who wants a classic, safe, and green New York City experience.

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