East 51 St, Turtle Bay

51st starts off in Turtle Bay pretty heavy into the Beekman set which is quite a shi shi little part of the neighborhood. There's a mansion on the corner known as Hale House which was leased to Peggy Guggenheim in the '40's. Across the street there's a gorgeous, expensive apartment building called Beekman Terrace. And, across Beekman Place there are about four gorgeous apartment buildings that are all very unique on the outside and very high-luxury on the inside. It's a pretty uppity little part of town and it costs an arm and a leg to live in one of these buildings. But, most of the units have East River views and I'm sure you would have some very accomplished and interesting neighbors since this is more of an older demographic part of town.
Across 1st there is just more luxury living. The Beekman Regent used to be a public school and is now a luxury condo building. It's on the site of Beekman's mansion which was British headquarters during the Revolutionary War and the place where Nathan Hale was tried. Across the street (at 330) is the building where John Steinbeck lived. Joe Namath lived in the building next door. The damaged rowhouse next door to the Regent was the site of the murder of the heiress Patricia Burton by her husband who is still trying to get her fortune.
There's a little park between 2nd and 3rd which is very much needed in this part of town because there is such a lack of green on the east side. It's a little besmirched by the commercial spaces across the street like Pax and a bizarre hotel with pods for rooms, but it's better than nothing. The street becomes even commercial on the block after third with a Girl Scout Building, a sizeable Doubletree Hotel and a NYPD and NYFD precint/ ladder house. It's not much fun but at least it's safe right here.
i would only live on 51st if I were old and rich. The street's really boring and there's not a ton of life to it but the housing around Beekman is really beautiful so if you don't care about energy or restaurants, then it wouldn't be so bad.

This street is very characteristic of Midtown East: pricey home in a coveted section of town, and convenience.

Though the avenues hog the retail merchandise, this street houses some pretty great restaurants. Le Barnardin is reviewed as being one of the best high end cuisine restaurant in the city. Tse Yang houses some wonderful authentic and fresh Chinese food which is difficult to find.


East 51st Street is close to several metro stations and is close to many buses. Foot traffic is heavy and I recommend the street to EVERYONE!