Upper East Side 90s: More than just a fancy place to live

At the northern reaches of the Upper East Side, in the 90s until East 96th Street, reasonably priced restaurants and bars and family-geared attractions breathe new life into the area, giving this neighborhood a welcoming feel.

A walk down one of the Upper East Side’s pristine avenues or tree-lined sidewalks will take you past world famous museums, centuries-old brownstones and tony shops and eateries. It may feel like a movie scene, and that’s because often it is.

From Martin Scorsese’s adaptation of Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence” to “Gossip Girl,” the image of the high-society Upper East Side has remained strong in popular culture. But there’s more to this neighborhood than its dated reputation as a haven for bluebloods and ladies-who-lunch.

“The interesting thing about the Upper East Side is, more so than other neighborhoods, you get these sub-neighborhoods, like Carnegie Hill and Yorkville,” says Lauren Cangiano, a real estate broker with Halstead for more than 25 years. “Each area has its own flavor.”

The 25-year resident of Carnegie Hill, which runs from 86th to 96th streets between Fifth and Third avenues, also added that like many areas of the Upper East Side, real estate differs on either side of Third Avenue in the 90s.

“Generally speaking, east of Third, you can mostly get more space for your dollar,” she said. “There is a lot less new construction closer to the park, and the price points for available inventory are significantly higher.”

Luckily for both buyers and sellers, the Upper East Side is experiencing a healthy market, with some real estate professionals comparing it to the 2007 boom.

“In February through June of this year, the Upper East Side market was wild,” Cangiano explained. “It reflected conditions in the height of the market, with people in lines around the block for open houses.”

And for those interested in experiencing all the Upper East Side has to offer, Cangiano believes the fall is the time to buy in the East 90s.

One of the main draws to the Upper East Side in the 90s is the vibrant food scene. Though steakhouses and cafes will never go out of style here, innovative ethnic restaurants join standbys like Ottomanelli New York Grill and Sarabeth’s.

The nightlife on the Upper East Side is strong, particularly in the upper part of Yorkville (79th to 96th streets from Third Avenue to the East River). There is a concentration of lounges and Irish pubs.

There are also many well-known cultural attractions. Museum Mile, the stretch of Fifth Avenue between 82nd and 105th streets, is home to nine museums.

Smaller exhibition spaces like the Valerie Goodman Gallery, which displays contemporary French art, also dot the neighborhood.

For kids, the prevalence of parks and playgrounds help give the upper part of the Upper East Side a particularly family-friendly vibe.

Of course, Central Park is a great place to kick back for people of all ages. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir is a favorite for joggers and nature-enthusiasts alike.

***
FIND IT
This neighborhood runs from 90th Street in the south to 96th Street in the north. The nabe is bounded by Central Park to the west and the East River to the east.

***

***

***

***

***

***

The museum, located in the former mansion of the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie on East 91st Street and Fifth Avenue, is the only in the United States dedicated exclusively to design.

Caroline Baumann, director of Cooper-Hewitt, called the plans “a global first, a transformative force for all in 2014 and beyond, impacting the way people think about and understand design,” in a statement.

Two New York-based firms are collaborating on the estimated $64 million renovations.

Gluckman Mayner Architects is handling the interior while Beyer Blinder Belle, the group behind the Grand Central Terminal remodeling, is responsible for “engineering, architectural and historic preservation aspects,” according to the Cooper-Hewitt website.

Until the renovations are complete, Cooper-Hewitt opened a satellite center in Harlem at 111 Central Park North in which visitors can participate in design-focused events and programs.

***