Key Features:
Prime Yorkville / Upper East Side Location:
- Situated on East 81st Street, a quiet, tree-lined residential block in the heart of Yorkville — one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable, family-friendly, and community-oriented neighborhoods, known for its pre-war architecture, tree-lined streets, strong sense of community, and excellent quality of life.
- Located between First Avenue and Second Avenue, placing your business in a densely populated residential corridor with strong community ties and steady foot traffic from local residents, families, and dog walkers.
- Just steps from Carl Schurz Park (86th-90th Streets along the East River), a beloved waterfront green space featuring walking paths, playgrounds, dog runs, and stunning East River views — home to Gracie Mansion (the official residence of the Mayor of New York City).
- Minutes from the East River Promenade, offering beautiful waterfront walking, running, and biking paths with stunning views of the Queensboro Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and Long Island City.
- Close to Gracie Mansion, Asphalt Green (a community fitness and sports center at 91st Street and York Avenue), and John Jay Park.
High-Traffic, Neighborhood-Serving Corridor:
- East 81st Street between First and Second Avenues is a quiet but convenient residential block, drawing a mix of local residents, families, dog walkers, and park visitors.
- The area is known for its strong daytime foot traffic from residents running errands, plus strong evening and weekend traffic from families, dog walkers, and visitors to Carl Schurz Park.
- The neighborhood’s strong sense of community and loyalty to local businesses make it ideal for businesses that rely on repeat clientele and word-of-mouth referrals.
Compact & Efficient Retail Layout:
- 600 SF of well-proportioned retail space — ideally sized for a beauty salon, barbershop, coffee shop, small boutique, art gallery, or service-based business.
- Attractive storefront with good street-level visibility on East 81st Street, a quiet but convenient residential block with steady local foot traffic.
- Functional floor plan suitable for a coffee counter with limited seating, a salon with 2-3 stations, or a small retail boutique with curated merchandise.
- Large windows providing abundant natural light and prime window display opportunities.
- At $16.67 per square foot, this represents solid value for retail space in this prime Upper East Side location.
Excellent Transit Access:
- Close to the 86th Street subway station (4, 5, 6) on Lexington Avenue (approximately a 10-minute walk), providing direct access to the entire East Side of Manhattan and Grand Central Terminal.
- Short walk to the 86th Street station (Q) on Second Avenue, providing access to the Second Avenue Subway.
- Multiple bus routes serve First Avenue, Second Avenue, and 81st/86th Streets (M15, M31, M79-SBS, M86-SBS).
- Convenient for Upper East Side residents, medical professionals, and commuters from across the city.
Affluent, Loyal Customer Base:
- Local residents — Yorkville is home to a mix of longtime residents, young families, and medical professionals, with strong community ties and loyalty to local businesses.
- Carl Schurz Park visitors — daily visitors to the park, including dog walkers, families, and joggers.
- Medical professionals — proximity to Weill Cornell, NY-Presbyterian, HSS, and Memorial Sloan Kettering creates additional foot traffic from hospital employees and patients’ families.
- Ideal for businesses such as:
- Beauty or nail salon
- Barbershop
- Coffee shop or cafe
- Small boutique or concept store
- Art gallery or frame shop
- Pet supply or grooming
- Pharmacy or drugstore (small-format)
- Dry cleaner or laundromat
- Tutoring or test prep center
- Dental or medical office (small-format)
Highlights:
✔ 600 SF of retail space in Yorkville / Upper East Side
✔ $10,000/month — solid value at $16.67 per square foot
✔ Attractive storefront on a quiet, tree-lined residential block
✔ Steps from Carl Schurz Park and the East River waterfront
✔ Functional, compact layout perfect for salon, barbershop, coffee shop, or boutique
✔ Strong local residential customer base with community loyalty
✔ Close to world-class hospitals (Weill Cornell, NY-Presbyterian, HSS, MSK)
✔ Excellent transit access — 4, 5, 6, Q trains and multiple bus routes
Conclusion:
331 E 81st Street offers a solid opportunity for small business owners and entrepreneurs seeking well-located, affordable retail space in the heart of Yorkville — one of the Upper East Side’s most desirable, family-friendly, and community-oriented neighborhoods. With 600 SF of functional, flexible space, a prime East 81st Street location steps from Carl Schurz Park and the East River waterfront, and access to a loyal, high-traffic customer base of residents, dog walkers, and park visitors, this property is perfect for beauty salons, barbershops, coffee shops, small boutiques, or art galleries looking to thrive in a neighborhood known for its strong sense of community and quality of life — all at a solid value of under $17 per square foot.
Contact us today to schedule a private tour and secure this Yorkville retail space!
