Press

In the first quarter of 2026, Manhattan’s apartment contracts totaled $6,906,075,016 in ask volume across 2,575 deals, with the average asking price coming in at $2.681M and an average of $1,709 per square foot. The buildings that accounted for the most activity tend to follow a familiar pattern, with new development condominiums once again leading the way.

Many of the top performers are projects that have opened and are steadily absorbing inventory over multiple quarters. Buildings like One High Line and 50 West 66th Street continue to post strong numbers, likely conveying that the finished product is meeting the expectations of buyers. One building that has nearly sold out from floor plans alone is 1122 Madison Avenue. Deals there averaged well into the eight figures, including the possible most expensive condo ever sold on the Upper East Side which has a last ask of $89.5M.

At the same time, the list is not entirely dominated by ground-up construction. A mix of conversions and iconic buildings in prime locations also made the cut such as the newly converted Flatiron Building and the UWS stalwart, 15 Central Park West.

Even so, condos make up the overwhelming majority of buildings that meet the threshold of at least two signed contracts in the quarter. Co-ops are far less represented, largely because they're mostly within older buildings where units tend to trade less frequently and in smaller volumes.

The rankings are based on reported signed contracts rather than closed sales, offering a more current snapshot of market momentum. As with any contract based data, there can be some variation in timing and pricing, and not all projects report activity consistently, meaning certain developments may be undercounted (i.e. 80 Clarkson Street).

Overall, the results point to a market where high-end buyers are still gravitating toward newer, amenity-driven product, particularly in prime Manhattan locations. Clusters of activity emerge along the West Side and in core downtown neighborhoods, while a handful of standout buildings in historically hard-to-build locations resulted in a disproportionate share of total volume.

255 East 77th Street brings Robert A.M. Stern’s signature Upper East Side style into the present, pairing a limestone façade and classic detailing with a full suite of modern comforts. The residences are spacious and quietly luxurious, with high ceilings, refined finishes, and a level of privacy that comes from having just a handful of homes per floor, along with full-floor penthouses at the top. Amenities are extensive but thoughtfully executed, with a dramatic indoor pool with arched windows and a full wellness offering, all set just moments from Central Park and Museum Mile.