Successful Sale of 230 East 63rd Street in Lenox Hill, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Bob Knakal successfully closed the sale of the commercial development site at 230 East 63rd Street in Manhattan’s Lenox Hill neighborhood for $4,250,000.
The site, which had been in the Guinee family for decades, was sold to a developer who planned to build a small 10,000-square-foot apartment building on the property.
This sale was a testament to Bob's decades-long relationship with the owners, which culminated in a rewarding and successful transaction.
Sale Details
The property was sold for $4,250,000 in 2012 to a developer, marking the end of a decades-long connection between the Guinee family and 230 East 63rd Street.
The developer planned to construct a 10,000-square-foot apartment building on the site, utilizing the full potential of the development space.
Sale Price: $4,250,000
Buyer: Developer
Seller: Guinee Family (Nancy Guinee)
Seller Type: Long-term owner, high-net-worth family
Property Type: Commercial/Development
Sale Date: August 16, 2012
Property Details
The property at 230 East 63rd Street is a three-story, mixed-use building located in the heart of Lenox Hill on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
The site offers significant development potential, making it an attractive opportunity for developers interested in building new residential units in a highly desirable neighborhood.
Full Address: 230 East 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065
Zoning: Commercial/Development/Retail
Lot Size: 25 x 100 feet
Buildable Square Footage: 10,000 square feet
Asset Type: Mixed-use, development site
The Long-Term Relationship with the Guinee Family
Bob Knakal first connected with the property’s owner, Vincent Guinee, in 1984 during his early canvassing efforts. Vincent, who lived in Houston, was easy to reach, and over the years, Bob built a rapport with him. Frequent phone calls, hard mailings, and regular market updates helped Bob establish trust with Vincent, ultimately positioning him as the family’s trusted advisor.
Bob knew he had earned Vincent’s confidence when, after receiving a letter about a proposed subway tunnel under East 63rd Street, Vincent called Bob to ask for his opinion—signaling that he had not consulted with any other brokers. This marked the beginning of a trusted, long-term relationship that spanned more than two decades.
In 2010, Vincent passed away, leaving his wife Nancy to decide what to do with the property. Though initially uncertain, she ultimately decided to sell the building in mid-2011 after Bravo Gianni’s, the restaurant tenant, closed as a result of the Great Financial Crisis.
Neighborhood Overview
Lenox Hill, in Manhattan's Upper East Side, remains one of New York's most desirable areas for development.
Key factors driving demand:
- Proximity to luxury shopping, cultural landmarks, and public transportation.
Highlights of the site:
- Prime target for developers despite its relatively small scale.
- Sale price and interest demonstrate strong demand for well-located development sites in the neighborhood.
Conclusion
The sale of 230 East 63rd Street highlights the importance of long-term relationships and persistence in real estate. Bob Knakal’s nearly three-decade-long connection with the Guinee family, combined with his local market expertise, allowed him to achieve an excellent result for the property’s sale. This transaction demonstrates how trust and consistent communication over time can lead to successful and rewarding deals, even when they take many years to come to fruition.
Testimonial
“My husband and I had been speaking to Bob Knakal three or four times per year for many, many years and he was always so helpful letting us know what was selling in the neighborhood and for how much. We live in Texas, so having someone on the ground in NY to advise us was very reassuring. He really knew our neighborhood and we felt extremely comfortable hiring him to represent our property for sale. It was in our family for a long time and we didn’t want just anyone selling it for us. Bob did a wonderful job for us and got us a beautiful price. We were lucky to find Bob and are very grateful for his help.”
– Nancy Guinee
Learn More About Manhattan Real Estate Development
Explore more of our remarkable deals in our exclusive online magazine featuring Lenox Hill and surrounding areas of Success Stories. Discover how we consistently maximize value and sale prices for our clients across New York City's most desirable neighborhoods, including 151 East 60th Street in Lenox Hill, Upper East Side, Manhattan
