Sutton Place

Sutton Place is a cozy and affluent neighborhood offering a quiet and secluded feel in the heart of Manhattan. Nestled along the East River, the neighborhood consists of grand townhouses and classic prewar co-ops on cobblestone streets and cul-de-sacs with no through traffic. Sutton Place feels completely insulated from the bustle of Midtown Manhattan but homes here are within walking distance of a wealth of fine restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Central Park is just seven blocks to the west.

 

Sutton Place has been called Little London as its stately townhouses are reminiscent of this found in London’s prestigious Belgravia neighborhood. These elegant residences feature beautifully maintained gardens with views of the East River and the Queensboro Bridge. Other housing options include spacious apartments in pre-war co-ops with white-gloved doormen. Sutton Place’s beautiful residential buildings include co-ops designed by famed architects such as Emery Roth and Rosario Candela.

 

Sutton Place is a peaceful enclave of Midtown East combining a convenient Manhattan location with the tranquil feel of a self-enclosed village. There are a few local shops and restaurants within the neighborhood while all of Manhattan’s endless attractions are easily accessible. 

 

The neighborhood’s unique charms and elegant living spaces have attracted many celebrity residents. In the classic 1950s romantic comedy How to Marry a Millionaire, Hollywood legends Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall share an apartment at 36 Sutton Place South. Monroe later lived in the neighborhood in real-life, sharing a residence at 2 Sutton Place with her husband Arthur Miller. 

 

Other well-known Sutton Place residents have included members of the Vanderbilt family, Joan Crawford, Bobby Short, Freddie Mercury, and Michael Jackson. A lavish brick townhouse at One Sutton Place was built for financier J.P. Morgan’s daughter Anne Morgan. The Morgan family donated One Sutton Place to the United Nations in the 1970s and it has ever since served as the official residence of the United Nations Secretary-General. Recent years have seen many younger residents move into the neighborhood and it’s now common to see residents out pushing strollers.

 

Sutton Place has the laidback vibe of a small village and there are plenty of high-quality businesses within the neighborhood. Whole Foods Market is the neighborhood go-to for organic groceries. Independent retailers here include The Ideal Cheese Shop, a gourmet cheese purveyor featuring more than 250 varieties of cheese sourced from 17 different countries. This incredible cheese selection can be bought by the pound or wheel. There are also customizable cheese gift baskets available for all occasions. 

 

Sutton Bar Room is a friendly neighborhood spot with an upscale air befitting this affluent enclave. The drinks here include many classic and creative cocktails plus craft beers and a curated selection of international wines. Sutton Bar Room serves as a lively social hub for Sutton Place, hosting regular live Irish music and weekly trivia nights. Restaurants in Sutton Place include the sophisticated Bistro Vendome. Housed within a historic townhouse, this stylish bistro serves refined French cuisine in an airy space with a pretty outdoor terrace. 

 

Morso is a local favorite for Italian dining. Morso means bite in Italian and many of this inviting spot’s authentic dishes are available in small servings to allow diners to sample as much of the menu as possible. Whenever you feel like venturing outside the neighborhood, the endless amenities and attractions of Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East Side are just a short stroll away.

 

Sutton Place Park is a series of five parks located along the neighborhood’s East River waterfront. These neighborhood green spaces offer stunning vistas of the Queensboro Bridge which led to them being used as a major filming location for the classic 1970s film Manhattan. Prominent features of these parks include a bronze statue of a wild boar replicating a 17th Century statue from Florence, Italy. These parks were built in the 1920s after the arrival of members of the influential Morgan and Vanderbilt families prompted an upscale rejuvenation of Sutton Place. Many of the large gardens afforded to townhouses in Sutton Place were also created at this time, offering residents a private green space in recompense for losing East River access to these public parks.

 

Sutton Place students are served by the New York City Department of Education.