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Elan Zafir Puts NYC Apartment On Market For $800K
In the early days of the pandemic, Elan Zafir and his wife Lindsay were traveling into New York at a time when most people were packing up and fleeing.
It sounds backwards, don’t you think?
That two-bedroom flat on East 17th Street, however, was more than simply real estate to the Zafirs. It was a choice. While friends left the city in search of safety or more space, they redoubled their efforts to make NYC, well, NYC. Connection, culture, and chaos. Everything.
Four years later, their peaceful, light-filled co-op in a 1903 Beaux-Arts building in Gramercy Park is for sale. The price tag is $800,000. And with that comes the tale of a house that was cherished, not merely a place to live.
Elan, who co-stars with Jon Hamm on Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+, called it an oasis. It’s not the word you would anticipate from someone discussing Manhattan. However, it makes sense when you hear him talk about the community, the church view, and the tranquility.
The majority of real estate listings provide you with numbers. This one? You get life from it.
Who Is Elan Zafir? More Than Just That Guy on Apple TV+
Intense, realistic, and distinctly New York, Elan Zafir’s portrayal of Rocco is likely familiar to viewers of Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+. Unbeknownst to you, Elan has roots in this city long before he became well-known thanks to streaming services.
He moved to New York City in July 2000, lived on Canal Street on 9/11, lived in Crown Heights for years, bounced around the East Village, and, in other words, experienced every stage of the New Yorker arc. Off-screen, he is a classically trained stage actor who has performed with renowned theaters such as Classic Stage Company, La MaMa, and TFANA.
This is important. Because a place is more than simply a location on a map when someone like him considers it home, especially after everything he has witnessed in this city. It’s intimate.
And that’s what sets this tale about the flat in Gramercy apart from the typical celebrity postings you scroll past.
Inside the Apartment: Light, Quiet, and That Church View
It’s not your typical Manhattan apartment once you go inside, especially if you’ve ever rented a small space that overlooked someone else’s air conditioner.
According to the New York Post, Mon Bijou, a 1903 Beaux-Arts structure whose name roughly translates to “my jewel,” is where Residence 3D, located at 210 E. 17th St. It’s more than just marketing jargon. If you’ve lived in Gramercy long enough, you know that people don’t talk that much about it. Elan described it as surprisingly quiet.
About 1,000 square feet, two actual bedrooms, a kitchen with full-size appliances, an in-unit washing and dryer, and seven large windows that let in plenty of natural light from the south and east are all included. A window like that? With the kind of silence that makes the city seem far away, it overlooks the moss-covered rear of St. George’s Church.
This goes beyond square footage and layout. It’s about the sensation. And you’ll understand why Elan referred to it as an oasis if you’ve ever searched for tranquility in a metropolis that never stops humming.
Similar to Pat Perez’s estate in Arizona, which was built around his shoe obsession, Zafir’s place is a reflection of his ideals and way of life rather than merely design.
Gramercy Park Life: This Is Where the City Felt Like Home
I have a question for you. How frequently does someone declare that this is the first time that New York feels like home?
Elan mentioned that in reference to this Gramercy pocket. And I understand. Because when you’re only a few blocks from Eataly in Madison Square Park, two blocks from the East Village, and a few more from Stuyvesant Square Park, you’re not just living in a place; you’re living in a rhythm.
Stuyvesant Park is more than just a green area. They host tango evenings. live performances. movies outside. It’s the things that keep people grounded, not the kind of scene you find in a listing brochure. Even in a city where it’s easy to go out.
Gramercy can also be your sweet spot if you want the best of both worlds: a peaceful neighborhood with a walkable culture.
Have you ever lived in a place that, despite the bustle of the city, seemed like home? Please share your opinions in the comments section below and let me know what made it special for you.
An Oasis in the City : What Made This Apartment So Special
I could spend all day telling you about finishes and square footage, but let’s focus on what made this location truly unique: the community.
Elan stated it clearly. Everybody in the building is someone I know. Consider that. He felt secure enough to let his kid run downstairs for playdates without fear, even in a neighborhood where most neighbors hardly look at each other.
The problem with co-op housing in historic structures like Mon Bijou is that. The majority of it is owner-occupied, indicating that individuals are concerned. Thursdays aren’t for noisy parties or door-to-door renting. It is silent. It’s secure. It is steady.
Therefore, this apartment may be considered an investment. However, this is the kind of location you would want to live if you’ve ever desired that unique blend of community and privacy—the little town feel in the middle of the large city.
By the way, if you enjoy finding unusual houses like this one, I follow a WhatsApp channel that regularly and discreetly posts real-deal updates. If you’re somewhat of a home enthusiast, it’s worth checking out.
Why They re Leaving and Why It s Not Easy?
You may be asking yourself, “Why move at all if it’s so perfect?”
The solution isn’t noteworthy. It’s family.
Elan and Lindsay need more space, so they’re moving to Morningside Heights. They’re moving in with their son. Their daughter was accepted to a prestigious uptown school. And everything—life, job, and logistics—makes more sense there at the moment.
They’re not exactly excited about going, though. Elan actually stated that we are not anticipating it. You can hear it in his voice when he talks about how the four of them just him, his wife, their daughter, and the dog would all cuddle in the same bed and sleep like that most nights.
It goes beyond nostalgia. That s the kind of memory that sticks.
And honestly, it s rare to hear a homeowner speak that way when listing a property. Most people discuss numbers. He’s talking about love.
It reminded me a bit ofRichard Tyler s Tuscan-style Pasadena villaboth spaces are rooted in charm, character, and a sense of neighborhood soul you can t replicate.
What Makes the $800K Price Tag Justified?
Look, $800,000 isn t small change especially when we re talking about a two-bedroom apartment. But here s the thing: this isn t priced for flash, it s priced for fit.
The last one-bed in this same building sold for around $650K in 2021. So you re getting a fully updated two-bed, corner unit, with southern light and real New York character, for $150K more in Gramercy Park. That s rare.
Co-op buildings like Mon Bijou also tend to fly under the radar in flashy listings. No doorman, no rooftop bar but guess what? You re not paying $1.2M either. You re paying for peace, charm, and a rock-solid sense of community.
And if you ve been tracking NYC real estate lately, you know these kinds of places don t sit on the market long. Especially not when they ve got emotional pull and smart pricing.
So if you re someone who s been waiting for that right mix here it is. This one checks boxes without burning holes.
It s not unlikeOprah Winfrey s lesser-known properties, where emotional value often trumps flashy square footage or big-name buildings.
Is This Apartment Right for You?
Let me be real with you this apartment isn t for everyone.
If you want a new-build high-rise with a concierge and a juice bar in the lobby, you ll hate this place. But if you re someone who values quiet mornings, walkable parks, and neighbors who ll actually learn your kid s name? This is your lane.
It s perfect for:
- Couples with a young kid
- Artists, actors, or creatives who need calm between gigs
- First-time buyers who want a home, not just a listing
You ll want to be okay with the co-op structure it s stable, but yes, there s a board. And it helps if you appreciate charm over polish. Because what this apartment offers isn t cookie-cutter. It s cozy. Personal. Lived-in in the best way possible.
So think about what you really want from your space. If it s connection, calm, and character you just might be looking at it.
Final Thoughts
If you ve made it this far, odds are this apartment speaks to you. So don t just scroll past.
The listing is held by Michelle Griffith at Douglas Elliman someone who knows how to match buyers with homes that actually fit their lives. You can find more info or schedule a visit through Elliman s website or your buyer s agent.
And if you re not sure yet, at least bookmark this place. Because listings like this don t pop up every week and they definitely don t sit around waiting.
Maybe this becomes your next move. Or maybe it s just a reminder that homes like this still exist.
Either way it s worth a closer look.
Want more real estate stories that go beyond square footage and dive into the people behind the properties? VisitBuild Like Newfor insider listings, celebrity homes, and market insights that matter.
Disclaimer:Property details, pricing, and quotes are based on publicly available sources. Information may change as the listing progresses. Always verify with the official agent or listing source before making decisions.
Table of Contents
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Who Is Elan Zafir? More Than Just That Guy on Apple TV+
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Inside the Apartment: Light, Quiet, and That Church View
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Gramercy Park Life: This Is Where the City Felt Like Home
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An Oasis in the City : What Made This Apartment So Special
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Why They re Leaving and Why It s Not Easy?
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What Makes the $800K Price Tag Justified?
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Is This Apartment Right for You?
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Final Thoughts
