The Bentley
159 East 30th Street · Kips Bay / Murray Hill, Manhattan
A boutique red-brick condominium on the northwest corner of Third Avenue and 30th Street, known for its wraparound corner windows and its full-floor residences. Josh Garay keeps his office here.
At a glance
- Type
- Condominium
- Completed
- 1986 (sales began 1988)
- Height
- 23 stories
- Residences
- 54 originally, many since combined
- Architect
- Wechsler, Grasso, Menziuso
- Corner
- Northwest corner of Third Avenue
- Service
- 24-hour doorman
- Pets
- Not permitted
A pioneer on Third Avenue
When The Bentley was planned in the mid-1980s, this stretch of Third Avenue was not where developers wanted to be. The site had been a shuttered fire station, bought from Tishman Speyer. It was built as a boutique luxury condominium in a neighborhood that was only starting to turn.
To get buyers to come and look, the developers teamed up with local Bentley dealerships and drove prospective purchasers around the city in Bentley Continental sedans. That is where the name comes from. The launch worked, and sales moved quickly once they began in 1988.
Nearly four decades later, the building's strengths are the same: a prime corner, wraparound windows and a small number of homes. Over the years, owners have combined many of the original apartments into partial- and full-floor residences, which is why turnover is rare and full floors so seldom come up.
Josh's view of The Bentley
What you won't find on a listing portal, in Josh's own words.
Who it suits
The Bentley is best for those who value a boutique luxury condominium with a European feel at a great price point.
Buying here
This is a very well-run building with a family-style approach. The condo board is very responsive and will help to ensure a seamless transaction.
The best lines
If you're lucky enough to purchase a combined A and B unit in this building, it is superb. It gives you a full floor in Manhattan at an affordable price point, which is extremely rare, with uncanny wraparound windows facing all four exposures: north, south, east and west. For those with a smaller budget, the D line features two full baths in a one-bedroom convertible layout, and the C line is a beautiful corner unit with great views of Third Avenue.
Mistakes buyers make
Too many people look for buildings loaded with amenities they rarely use, and for modern construction with high ceilings. They are overpaying for those apartments, and they will never be able to duplicate the unique combined apartments The Bentley offers for the price. It is the best value in the city.
What a listing won't tell you
The wraparound windows are worth gold, and the neighborhood is buzzing with activity.
Inside The Bentley
Residence 21AB, the full 21st floor, marketed by Garay Real Estate.
Living at Third and 30th
The Bentley sits where Kips Bay, Murray Hill and Rose Hill meet. East 30th Street has become a restaurant row, and everyday errands (Trader Joe's, Target and more) are around the corner.
- 6 train at 28th Street and 33rd Street
- Grand Central Terminal and the FDR Drive within easy reach
- Garage around the corner
- Laundry in the building
Run the numbers
What is my apartment worth?
Own at The Bentley? See an honest value range built from published data.
Open the tool →Closing costs
Buying here? See what a condo purchase at your price will really cost to close.
Open the tool →Property Score
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Open the tool →Sources: Corcoran building profile · New York Before (architect, completion) · Nest Seekers building profile · Garay Real Estate, "The History of the Bentley Condominium" (2021)
Thinking about The Bentley?
Josh keeps his office in this building. Whether you're buying, selling or just curious what your apartment would trade for, he'll give you a straight answer.