Nestled atop the pre-war Bing & Bing apartment residence at 434 East 52nd Street, an enchanting candy-pink house captures the imagination. This three-story penthouse boasts 4,000 square feet, wraparound terraces, and a unique design that sets it apart from the urban landscape.Nestled atop the pre-war Bing & Bing apartment residence at 434 East 52nd Street, an enchanting candy-pink house captures the imagination. This three-story penthouse boasts 4,000 square feet, wraparound terraces, and a unique design that sets it apart from the urban landscape. Not only is the house visually captivating, but it also holds historical significance. In 1974, it served as the “lost weekend” residence of legendary musician John Lennon and May Pang. While Pang described the penthouse as “tiny” with a wood-burning stove and a small kitchen, it’s believed that this is where the couple witnessed a UFO from their patio. This intriguing encounter may have inspired the lyrics “There’s a UFO over New York, and I ain’t too surprised” from Lennon’s song “Nobody Told Me.” The penthouse also gained recognition through iconic images captured by photographer Bob Gruen, featuring Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt. These photographs suggest that the pink house served as the backdrop for these memorable shots. Despite its charming appearance and historical significance, the penthouse remains a bit of a mystery. The details surrounding its exact location within the building are not entirely clear, and whether it corresponds to the one described by May Pang is still open to debate. Nevertheless, the pink house continues to captivate New Yorkers and visitors alike. From the river or neighboring penthouses, it offers a unique and charming sight, standing out as an unexpected oasis amidst the city’s towering skyline. Its whimsical design and historical connections make it a beloved and iconic landmark in the heart of Manhattan.
Three years ago, a post appeared on Reddit that caught my attention. It featured an image (below) taken from Roosevelt Island of a beautiful, candy-pink house on the roof of an East Side apartment building.
“Does anyone know what this pink house on top of a building is?” the Redditor asked. I knew I had to find out.
Turns out this storybook-esque, brightly colored house with two chimneys and a greenish gabled roof is the penthouse at the top of 434 East 52nd Street, a pre-war Bing & Bing apartment residence designed by Emery Roth and opened in 1930.
The house, which looks like it belongs in a suburb or on a country lane rather than an urban canyon near Sutton Place, has three floors, 4,000 square feet and wraparound terraces. This all comes from the Streeteasy listing, which says it was on the market in 2021 for $4.5 million.
As if living in your own home in the Manhattan sky wasn’t thrill enough, this penthouse was the home of a famous resident. In 1974, it was the “lost weekend” residence of John Lennon and May Pang, according to several real estate and interior design websites.
Is it the same penthouse? I’m not so sure. In her book Loving JohnPang recalls the “tiny penthouse” with a wood-burning stove and a tiny kitchen, for which Lennon paid $750 a month in rent. Perhaps the penthouse seemed small to a couple accustomed to the Dakota’s oversized rooms?
According to Pang, this is where she and John saw a UFO from their patio – possibly the UFO described in the lyrics “There’s a UFO over New York, and I ain’t too surprised” from the song “Nobody Told Me. ”
“Look over there!” Pang recalled John saying this one night in August, pointing to the sky. “Tell me what you see.” I looked up and couldn’t believe my eyes. “There was a saucer-shaped object surrounded by flashing white lights floating through the sky.”
The pink house is also reportedly where photographer Bob Gruen shot the iconic images of Lennon wearing a New York City T-shirt. From the terrace, it could very well be the same cute house.
It’s not visible from the street, but from the river or another penthouse it must look pretty cute.
(Top photo: Reddit; second photo: Bob Gruen via New York magazine; third photo: Streeteasy.com)
