Retail

1604 First Avenue, New York, NY 10028 – Upper East Side / Yorkville
Asking Rent: $12,000/month
Space: 800 sq ft
Property Type: Retail (Ground Floor)
Rent per Sq Ft: $15.00/month ($180.00/sq ft annualized)

Property Overview

This 800-square-foot retail space at 1604 First Avenue is a prime neighborhood retail opportunity on a bustling Upper East Side corridor. With an asking rent of $12,000 per month, it is positioned for a high-traffic service or food & beverage business that caters to the daily needs of a dense, affluent residential community. Ideal for a boutique cafe, specialty grocery, wine shop, salon, or upscale take-out restaurant, this space offers excellent visibility and accessibility for a business built on convenience and quality for local residents.

Space Highlights

• Compact, efficient ground-floor retail space of 800 sq ft with direct frontage on First Avenue.
• Suitable for a high-quality cafe with limited seating, specialty food market (cheese, charcuterie, prepared foods), wine & spirits shop, boutique salon, or fast-casual restaurant.
• Likely features a classic NYC retail build-out with large windows; tenant responsible for a moderate-to-full build-out including potential kitchen equipment, refrigeration, or salon plumbing.
• The size encourages a focused, curated concept with high inventory turnover and strong operational efficiency.
• High visibility on a major north-south avenue ensures strong walk-in potential.

Location & Neighborhood

• Prime Upper East Side / Yorkville location on First Avenue between 83rd and 84th Streets.
• Situated in a densely populated, high-income residential neighborhood with a strong demand for daily conveniences and quality dining.
• Serves a captive local audience with high repeat business potential. Less reliant on tourist traffic than avenues further west.
• Proximity to Carl Schurz Park and the East River Esplanade provides additional foot traffic from recreational users.
• Strong daily foot traffic from dog walkers, families, and professionals.
• Good transit access via the Q train at 86th St and multiple north-south bus lines along York, 1st, and 2nd Avenues.
• Walkable to the 86th Street shopping corridor and the emerging retail on 2nd Avenue.

Summary

Priced at $12,000/month ($15.00/sq ft/month), this 800 sq ft retail space at 1604 First Avenue offers a solid investment in a stable, high-spend neighborhood. The annualized rent of $180 per square foot is market-rate for a quality retail front on a key UES avenue. This opportunity is ideal for an entrepreneur or established local operator with a concept that fulfills an everyday need or desire for the surrounding community. Success depends on delivering exceptional quality, service, and convenience, turning neighborhood residents into loyal, regular customers. It’s a classic play for building a beloved local business in one of New York’s most reliable retail markets.