Prewar apartment houses and townhouses on East 79th Street just east of Madison Avenue (the neighborhood, not the building)

The Benson

1045 Madison Avenue · Upper East Side, Manhattan

The Benson is an 18-story limestone condominium by Peter Pennoyer Architects on Madison Avenue between East 79th and East 80th Streets, developed by Naftali Group and completed in 2022. Its 15 marketed residences, from half-floor homes to three penthouses and a garden townhouse, each open from a private elevator landing.

At a glance

Type: Condominium (new construction)
Completed: 2022 (construction 2019 to 2022; first closings January 2022)
Height: 18 stories, about 210 feet (marketed as 19 stories)
Residences: 15 as marketed: half-floor, full-floor, and duplex homes, a garden townhouse, and three penthouses; city records list 17 residential condo units, including a 386 sq ft studio
Developer: Naftali Group (Miki Naftali)
Architect: Peter Pennoyer Architects (architecture and interiors); lobby and screening room by Achille Salvagni
Builder: Leeding Builders Group (general contractor)
Service: 24-hour doorman and concierge
Amenities: Landscaped roof terrace with fire pit and Central Park views, screening room, spa with sauna and steam room, fitness center, half basketball court, wood-paneled library with garden, art studio, pet spa, bike room, cold storage for deliveries, private storage for purchase
Pets: Allowed
Zoning: Special Madison Avenue Preservation District (not a designated landmark or in a historic district)

A limestone newcomer on a prewar stretch of Madison

The Benson replaced four five-story mixed-use buildings at 1039 to 1045 Madison Avenue, once home to shops such as Davide Cenci and Eileen Fisher. Naftali Group assembled them in 2017 and 2018, paying about $21.1 million for 1041 Madison, $22.8 million for 1045, and about $26 million for 1039 before adding 1043. The developer merged the lots, bought unused development rights from the 14-story co-op at the corner of 79th Street, and won a building permit for an 18-story tower in July 2019. A neighbor's lawsuit and an appeal to the Board of Standards and Appeals over the 10-foot gap between the two buildings were both dismissed, and construction went ahead with a $120.4 million loan.

Peter Pennoyer Architects designed the building inside and out as a tribute to the great prewar apartment houses of the Upper East Side. The facade is hand-carved, hand-laid Indiana limestone with mullioned windows and a series of setback terraces trimmed in ironwork, and the top floors have double-height arched windows. Italian designer Achille Salvagni created the lobby, with fluted walls and a backlit onyx fireplace, as well as the screening room. Kitchens were designed with British cabinetmaker Christopher Peacock. Leeding Builders Group was the general contractor; the structure topped out in 2020, the limestone was finished by late 2021, and exterior work was complete by March 2022.

Named for Miki Naftali's father, Benjamin, The Benson launched sales in September 2020 with prices from $12.5 million, billed as the first new luxury condominium on this part of Madison Avenue in more than 20 years. It sold briskly during the pandemic: the last sponsor unit went to contract in April 2021, and Crain's reported that Naftali took in about $238 million from unit sales. Closings began in January 2022. The top recorded price is $35.7 million for Penthouse B in 2022, and one buyer who paid $27.95 million for the 10th and 11th floors together resold them separately in 2024 for $14.4 million and about $15 million.

Josh's view of The Benson

What you won't find on a listing portal, in Josh's own words.

Who it suits

Those wanting the best of the Upper East Side! This spectacular new construction condominium built in 2021 features spectacular apartments, incredible design, and outstanding architecture.

Buying here

An extraordinary residence in an equally extraordinary location. From its magnificent limestone facade to its exquisite architectural detailing, this one-of-a-kind building embodies timeless elegance and sophistication. Situated on Madison Avenue at 79th Street, one of Manhattan's most coveted addresses, it offers the perfect marriage of architectural excellence, luxurious living, and an unparalleled Upper East Side location. This is New York real estate at its finest.

The best lines

The 15 exclusive residences, many of them full floors, are particularly impressive, each offering the privacy and prestige of a private elevator landing. For buyers seeking something truly extraordinary, the development also features a select collection of duplex residences with the spaciousness, character, and distinctive layout of a luxurious Manhattan townhouse. These one-of-a-kind homes combine the grandeur of townhouse living with the convenience, security, and sophistication of a premier luxury condominium.

Mistakes buyers make

The Upper East Side has evolved into one of Manhattan's most vibrant, fashionable, and picturesque neighborhoods. With its thriving restaurant scene, stylish boutiques, charming cafes, and beautiful tree-lined streets, the neighborhood effortlessly blends classic New York elegance with a fresh, contemporary energy. This is certainly not your grandparents' Upper East Side of 30 years ago. It's a dynamic and exciting destination that appeals to a whole new generation of New Yorkers.

What a listing won't tell you

The Benson is even more impressive in person, with a striking presence and sophisticated design that immediately set it apart. Complemented by an exceptional collection of first-class amenities, it delivers a truly elevated residential experience that is every bit as luxurious as its appearance suggests.

Inside The Benson

Limestone and brick townhouses on East 79th Street between Madison and Park Avenues (the neighborhood, not the building)

The entrance of the New York Society Library at 53 East 79th Street, around the corner from The Benson (the neighborhood, not the building)

The block around the corner on East 79th Street, including the New York Society Library.

Living at The Benson

The Benson sits on the east side of Madison Avenue between East 79th and East 80th Streets, a block from Central Park and a short walk from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The surrounding blocks mix prewar apartment houses with Gilded Age townhouses, galleries, and consulates, and Madison Avenue's boutiques and cafes run in both directions from the front door.

Subway: 6 train at 77th Street and Lexington Avenue, about 0.3 mile; 4, 5, and 6 at 86th Street and Lexington, about 0.5 mile; M1, M2, M3, and M4 buses on Madison and Fifth Avenues and the M79 Select Bus Service crosstown on 79th Street
Parks: Central Park one block west at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street, about 0.15 mile, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art at Fifth Avenue and 82nd Street about 0.3 mile away
Hospitals and landmarks: Lenox Hill Hospital (100 East 77th Street) about a quarter mile southeast, the New York Society Library around the corner at 53 East 79th Street, and The Carlyle hotel at Madison and 76th Street
Shopping and dining: the Madison Avenue shopping corridor runs south past The Carlyle to the Ralph Lauren flagship at 72nd Street, about half a mile, with galleries along East 79th Street

Sources: Naftali Group, The Benson project page · Naftali Group press release, 'Peter Pennoyer-Designed, Luxury Boutique Condominium Unveiled on Madison Avenue' (September 22, 2020) · Naftali Group press, 'Naftali launches sales on Upper East Side condos' (September 23, 2020) · Naftali Group press (CityRealty), 'Top 10 Upper East Side Condos' (February 27, 2024) · Robb Report, 'The First New Madison Avenue Condos in 20 Years Just Hit the Market' (September 17, 2020) · New York YIMBY, 'The Benson Completes Construction at 1045 Madison Avenue' (March 31, 2022) · New York YIMBY via Naftali Group, 'The Benson Nears Completion' (November 2021) · Leeding Builders Group, 1045 Madison Ave project page · Marketproof, certificate of occupancy record, NB 121188366 (December 2022) · NYC Board of Standards and Appeals, Calendar No. 2019-199-A, 1045 Madison Avenue (February 11, 2020) · The Real Deal, 'Naftali Group Sued Over Zoning Violations at Upper East Side Project' (October 21, 2019) · UniCourt, Kim Fennebresque v Naftali Group LLC et al (case status: dismissed) · The Real Deal, 'After a quiet period, Naftali is back' (September 19, 2017) · The Real Deal, 'Naftali makes third purchase in UES assemblage play' (February 19, 2018) · CityRealty, 'Top Sales and Contracts: The Benson sells out' (April 19, 2021) · Naftali Group press, 'Luxury Market Report, February 1 to 7, 2021' (10th and 11th floor contract) · Crain's New York Business, 'Fizzled flip at a UES luxury condo' (April 12, 2024) · NYC PLUTO (NYC Open Data), BBL 1014917504 · ACRIS Real Property Legals (NYC Open Data), Manhattan Block 1491, condo lots 1501 to 1520 · ACRIS Real Property Master (NYC Open Data), doc_type DEED · ACRIS Real Property Parties (NYC Open Data) · The Roebling Team, The Benson sales history (unit sizes and bedrooms) · Compass, The Benson building page (pets, unit count) · OpenStreetMap (distances)

Photos: Photo by Epicgenius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Photo by Epicgenius, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Photo by Mia D'Avanza, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thinking about The Benson?

Whether you're buying, selling or just curious what an apartment here would trade for, Josh will give you a straight answer.