NYC Penthouse That JFK and Jackie Called Home Before Presidency Tops Luxury Sales

A penthouse that once belonged to former President John F. Kennedy is the third most expensive listing to go under contract for the week ending Jan. 25, according to the Olshan Luxury Market Report.

The property at 35 East 76th St. on the Upper East Side has an asking price of $12,995,000. The two-bedroom, 2.5 bath penthouse went on the market in September 2025. If the address sounds familiar that's because it's located at the Carlyle Hotel.

The penthouse duplex was built in 1930 and became home to the then-senator and his wife, Jacqueline, before his 1961 presidential inauguration. When Kennedy was elected president, the property became known as the New York White House during the Camelot years.

The condo's corner living and dining rooms have unobstructed, panoramic Central Park and reservoir views with floor-to-ceiling windows.

A bookshelf-lined breakfast room has an oriel bay window overlooking the park. The listing says the Kennedys installed the window to create a breakfast nook at this time. The custom kitchen has high end appliances and there's also a pantry and laundry room with a washer and dryer adjoining the service entrance.

On the second floor, a 23 foot terrace is a highlight to enjoy sunsets and dinner under the stars—all with park and skyline views.

The penthouse's prior owner paid $12,500,000 for it in February 2007. The monthly maintenance is $66,895, according to the report. The extreme fee includes maid's service and access to all of the hotel amenities: fitness center, spa, dining, room service, valet, and access to the hotel's restaurant and cabaret lounge.

"The penthouse is in the Carlyle Hotel and a hotel suite like this might run $10,000 per night," Donna Olshan, president and real estate agent at Olshan Realty, tells Realtor.com®. "But the apartment has historical significance and that is part of the value. It also has a solarium off the master bedroom and a terrace off the second bedroom. It has views in all directions including Central Park and the East River. When JFK was in office, the penthouse was kept on reserve for him when he visited New York."

Rooms with a view

The No. 1 contract for the week ending Jan. 25 was a Madison Avenue property. The condo is in a new building at 1122 Madison Ave. and has an asking price of $14.6 million.

It has 3,178 square feet of space with five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. A great room features 11-foot ceilings with Central Park and museum views.

"New construction remains extremely popular, particularly if it is a boutique, bespoke design and in a great location. The example of this is 1122 Madison Avenue, which started showings on Jan. 15 and already has four contracts," Olshan explains.

On the other side of town, a condo at 240 Riverside Blvd. is off the market after being listed for $14.4 million. It originally went on the market for $18 million in November 2023. The condo spans the entire 30th floor of the 31 story building built in 2004 called The Heritage.

The unit has nearly 5,000 square feet of space with four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, and two terraces featuring views of the Hudson River.

The report explains that the seller paid $15.5 million in February 2016. Amenities include a concierge, fitness center, screening room, and swimming pool.