For buyers researching new condo Upper East Side NYC where a designer-reimagined conversion tower offers a rare combination of Paris Forino interiors, Manhattan skyline and East River views, a Wright Fit-designed fitness center, dual outdoor amenity spaces including a landscaped roof deck with 360-degree panoramic views, and an approachable price point that has consistently outperformed the surrounding market, 389 East 89th Street in Yorkville is the most market-proven condominium building in the neighborhood's modern history. Located at 389 East 89th Street at the corner of First Avenue in Yorkville on the Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY 10128, this 33-story, 156-unit luxury condominium was developed by Magnum Real Estate Group, with Ismael Leyva Architects as architect of record and celebrated Australian architect-designer Paris Forino handling all interior design. 389 East 89th Street condos for sale were the top-selling new development in all of Manhattan in 2016 and the top-selling new development on the Upper East Side for two consecutive years, a track record that reflects both the quality of the building and the depth of buyer demand for well-designed, full-service new construction NYC at a price point that the rest of the Upper East Side new development market does not regularly offer. The building is fully sold out from the sponsor and units are available on the secondary resale market.
Building Overview
389 East 89th Street began its life as Post Toscana, a 199-unit rental building at the corner of East 89th Street and First Avenue that Magnum Real Estate Group -- led by Ben Shaoul -- acquired in a $270 million transaction that also included the adjacent 385 First Avenue. Magnum's vision was a comprehensive repositioning: converting the building's 199 rental apartments into 156 larger condominium residences, engaging Australian architect-designer Paris Forino to reimagine every interior finish and specification, and bringing the result to market as a new development condo at a price point that would deliver genuine luxury finishes in a full-service tower without the price per square foot of the neighborhood's boutique ultra-luxury buildings.
The result was among the most commercially successful new development launches in Manhattan in the mid-2010s. According to Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, which handled sales and marketing, 389 East 89th Street was the top-selling new development in all of Manhattan in 2016 -- outperforming every other new condo launch in the city -- and the top-selling new development on the Upper East Side in both 2017 and 2018. By late 2018, the building was near sellout with fewer than 10 percent of its 156 residences remaining. Units trade today on the secondary resale market at an average of approximately $1,543 per square foot for recent closed sales.
Key Facts About 389 East 89th Street
Address: 389 East 89th Street (corner of First Avenue), Yorkville, Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY 10128
Developer: Magnum Real Estate Group (Ben Shaoul)
Architect of record: Ismael Leyva Architects
Interior designer: Paris Forino (Australian architect-designer)
Sales agent: Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group
Original building: Post Toscana (rental, built 2002)
Conversion to condominium: 2016
Stories: 33
Total units: 156 (converted from 199 rental apartments)
Unit types: 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom
Sales distinction: Top-selling new development in Manhattan (2016); top-selling UES new development (2017, 2018)
Current market: Secondary resale; recent sales avg approximately $1,543 PSF
Minimum down payment: 20%
Pets: Allowed
Subletting: Permitted
Nearby transit: Q train at Second Avenue (close); 4/5/6 at Lexington Avenue (0.39 miles)
Architecture: Paris Forino's Reimagination of a Yorkville Tower
Ismael Leyva's Tower, Transformed by Paris Forino
The 33-story tower at 389 East 89th Street was originally designed by Ismael Leyva Architects, whose distinctive facade incorporates corner windows, stone sections that narrow above the 16th floor, and simple horizontal pergolas in place of traditional cornices -- an exterior composition that gives the building a contemporary presence on its Yorkville corner while acknowledging the massing scale of the surrounding First Avenue residential fabric. The building's height and its corner position on 89th Street and First Avenue give upper-floor residences unobstructed views in multiple directions: Manhattan skyline to the south and west, East River views to the east, and the rooftops and parks of Carnegie Hill and the Upper East Side to the north.
The lobby was completed with a circular design featuring onyx accents and an inlaid floor -- a material specification whose warmth and visual depth give the building's arrival a polished residential character appropriate to the full-service condo standard that Magnum was targeting.
The building's decisive design move, however, is Paris Forino's interior intervention. Forino -- an Australian architect-designer who has built a significant reputation for residential interiors in New York City -- was brought in to reimagine every kitchen, bathroom, and finish specification in the building's 156 residences, effectively replacing the rental-grade finishes of the Post Toscana era with a custom-designed material palette whose quality was intended to compete with the boutique luxury buildings at significantly higher price points elsewhere on the Upper East Side.
Residences: Miele Kitchens, Dolomite Marble Baths, and In-Unit Washer/Dryer
Floors and Ceilings
All 156 residences at 389 East 89th Street feature 5-inch wide plank white oak floors -- a wider-than-standard plank dimension whose floor area and visual richness give each home a material quality foundation consistent with the building's overall finish philosophy. Ceiling heights are generous throughout; a subset of loft-style apartments at the building's base feature 11-foot-plus ceiling heights, giving those particular residences a spatial volume unusual in the Upper East Side condominium market at this price point. In-unit washers and dryers are standard in every residence -- a practical amenity whose presence in a full floor's complement of 156 New York City apartments remains a genuine differentiator in the building's market segment.
The Kitchens
Kitchens at 389 East 89th Street were designed by Paris Forino with a specification that combines custom Italian cabinetry with a lacquered finish, fully paneled Miele refrigerator and dishwasher, white marble countertops and backsplash, and an under-mount deep sink with waste disposal. The Miele appliance specification -- with both refrigerator and dishwasher fully integrated behind matching cabinetry panels -- gives each kitchen a seamless, furniture-like visual quality that higher-end kitchens in more expensive buildings aspire to. White marble countertops and backsplash, combined with the Italian lacquered cabinetry, give the kitchen a clean, light-reflective material palette that photographs and lives well throughout the day. The garbage disposal -- a detail Ben Shaoul specifically noted as a "notable luxury for New York City" -- is standard in every unit.
The Bathrooms
Bathrooms at 389 East 89th Street are appointed with Dolomite marble for both floors and walls, giving the primary bath a continuous stone surface whose material quality and visual consistency reflect Paris Forino's overall design approach. Custom Italian-made grey oak vanities with self-lit mirrors -- designed by Paris Forino specifically for this building -- give each bathroom a bespoke furniture element whose design specificity is unusual at this price tier. Toto toilets and deep soaking tubs with Waterworks polished chrome fixtures complete the primary bathroom's specification. Waterworks is among the most respected American plumbing fixture brands, and its presence in a building at 389 East 89th Street's price point gives buyers a quality anchor point whose value is easily compared across the wider Upper East Side condominium market.
Amenities: Two Outdoor Terraces, A Wright Fit Gym, and 360-Degree Views
The amenity program at 389 East 89th Street provides residents with two distinct outdoor spaces -- an unusual double offering that most full-service condominiums at this price point do not provide.
The third-floor outdoor terrace is a landscaped space complete with a grill -- a ground-proximate outdoor entertaining and al fresco dining environment that gives residents immediate outdoor access without the elevator travel required to reach the roof. The landscaped roof deck at the building's top floor provides 360-degree panoramic views over the Upper East Side, the Manhattan skyline, and the East River -- the most expansive view position available in the building, and one whose panoramic quality from 33 stories above the Yorkville rooftops is genuinely memorable.
The fitness center was designed by The Wright Fit, the fitness design and management firm whose residential gym programs represent a professional standard of equipment specification and spatial organization above what most building fitness rooms provide. A residents' lounge, children's playroom, and 24-hour attended lobby with doorman and concierge complete the building's service program. Bike storage, resident storage, and a live-in superintendent give the building the practical service depth of a well-managed full-service building. The building includes over 9,000 square feet of retail space on its lower levels.
Neighborhood Context: Yorkville, Carl Schurz Park, and the East River
389 East 89th Street's Yorkville position -- on the northwest corner of East 89th Street and First Avenue -- gives residents an address whose daily life combines the Upper East Side's institutional richness with the more relaxed, residential character of the First Avenue corridor north of 79th Street. Carl Schurz Park and its East River promenade are a short walk east; the park's waterfront esplanade, its tree-lined paths, and the relative quiet of this section of the East River waterfront give residents a park alternative to Central Park whose atmosphere is distinctively different and often less crowded. Asphalt Green -- the athletic facility and aquatic center at 90th Street and York Avenue -- is essentially adjacent, giving residents access to swimming, fitness, and sports programming whose depth and quality the neighborhood's other parks do not offer.
Museum Mile along Fifth Avenue is accessible by the Q train at Second Avenue -- the Second Avenue Subway station at 86th Street connecting residents to the 63rd Street and 72nd Street stations in minutes. The 4/5/6 trains at Lexington Avenue provide Midtown and Downtown access. The Whole Foods at Columbus Avenue, Fairway Market, and Citarella give the neighborhood's grocery infrastructure a quality and depth that matches the building's own finish standards.
Why Consider 389 East 89th Street?
The residential case for 389 East 89th Street comes down to what Ben Shaoul described as the "elevated living experience at an approachable price point" -- a formula that the market validated more decisively than almost any other new development launch in Manhattan in the past decade. At approximately $1,543 per square foot for recent closed sales, the building offers Paris Forino interiors, Miele appliances, Dolomite marble baths, Waterworks fixtures, in-unit washer/dryer, dual outdoor terraces, a Wright Fit gym, and a 24-hour full-service building at a price per square foot that is meaningfully below the boutique luxury new development condominiums elsewhere on the Upper East Side.
For buyers who want the design quality -- Italian lacquered cabinetry, self-lit vanity mirrors, paneled Miele appliances, white marble -- without the ultra-luxury price tags of the Carnegie Hill and Lenox Hill boutique buildings, 389 East 89th Street remains one of the strongest value propositions the Upper East Side new construction market has produced in the current generation of development.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best real estate agents for 389 East 89th Street and Yorkville?
The best New York City real estate agents for 389 East 89th Street understand how the building's Paris Forino interiors, Miele appliances, Dolomite marble baths, Waterworks fixtures, in-unit washer/dryer, dual outdoor terraces, and Wright Fit gym compare to other new development Manhattan and resale options across Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, and the broader Upper East Side. Michael A. Bhagwandin is a licensed real estate salesperson in New York City who works with buyers and sellers throughout Manhattan, including Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, and the Upper West Side.
Who developed 389 East 89th Street?
389 East 89th Street was developed by Magnum Real Estate Group, led by Ben Shaoul. Magnum acquired the building -- then known as Post Toscana, a 199-unit rental property built in 2002 -- in a $270 million transaction that also included the adjacent 385 First Avenue. The conversion to condominiums was completed in 2016. Ismael Leyva Architects served as architect of record; Paris Forino handled all residential interior design. Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group managed sales.
Who designed 389 East 89th Street?
The building's exterior and architectural structure were designed by Ismael Leyva Architects. All residential interiors -- kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, fixtures, and finish specifications -- were reimagined by Australian architect-designer Paris Forino. Forino's scope included custom Italian lacquered kitchen cabinetry, custom grey oak self-lit vanities, Dolomite marble bath selections, Miele appliance integration, and white marble countertop and backsplash specifications. The fitness center was designed by The Wright Fit.
How many units are in 389 East 89th Street?
389 East 89th Street contains 156 luxury condominium residences across 33 stories. Units are configured as one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes. The building was converted from 199 rental apartments (under the prior Post Toscana name) to 156 larger condominiums as part of Magnum Real Estate Group's repositioning. The building is fully sold from the sponsor; units trade on the secondary resale market.
What is the price range at 389 East 89th Street?
At the time of near-sellout in late 2018, the building's remaining residences ranged from approximately $1.335 million to $4.485 million, including the last penthouse with over 1,200 square feet of private outdoor space. The building is now fully sold out from the sponsor. Recent closed sales on the secondary market average approximately $1,543 per square foot per CityRealty data, with current listings averaging approximately $1,932 per square foot. Buyers should consult a licensed real estate agent for current unit availability and pricing.
What amenities does 389 East 89th Street offer?
389 East 89th Street offers a 24-hour attended lobby with doorman and concierge, a Wright Fit-designed fitness center, a residents' lounge, a children's playroom, a landscaped third-floor outdoor terrace with grill, a landscaped roof deck with 360-degree panoramic views, bike storage, resident storage, and a live-in superintendent. The building is pet-friendly and subletting is permitted. Over 9,000 square feet of retail space is located at the building's lower levels.
What subway lines serve 389 East 89th Street?
The Q train at Second Avenue and 86th Street is among the closest subway connections to 389 East 89th Street, providing service south through Midtown and Downtown Manhattan via the Second Avenue Subway. The 4, 5, and 6 trains at Lexington Avenue and 86th Street are approximately 0.39 miles from the building, offering additional express and local service to Grand Central Terminal, Union Square, and points south. Crosstown bus service on 86th Street connects residents to the Upper West Side and both subway corridors.
Interested in 389 East 89th Street or Other Carnegie Hill and Manhattan Luxury Condominiums?
Whether 389 East 89th Street is the right fit -- or you want to explore other new development Manhattan and resale options in Yorkville, Carnegie Hill, Lenox Hill, and across the Upper East Side and the city -- I can help you evaluate the market and find the home that matches your goals.
I am Michael A. Bhagwandin, a licensed real estate salesperson in New York City. I work with buyers and sellers across Chelsea, the West Village, Gramercy, Tribeca, SoHo, Hell's Kitchen, the Upper West Side, and throughout Manhattan.
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