Murray Hill gets a bad rap sometimes. People call it "Fratty Hill" because of the post-grad crowd, but if you've ever stood on the corner of 34th and Lexington, you know it's more complicated than that. Right there sits 150 E 34th St NYC—better known to locals and real estate junkies as the Dumont NYC (or formerly the Dumont Plaza). It’s an interesting beast. Built in 1986, this 37-story tower has seen the neighborhood evolve from a quiet residential pocket into a high-octane hub for medical professionals, commuters, and people who just really want to be able to walk to Grand Central in ten minutes flat.
You’re looking at a building that bridges the gap between old-school New York luxury and the new, faster-paced city life. It’s not a shiny glass box like you’ll find in Hudson Yards. It has bones. It has character. But honestly? It also has the quirks that come with a building hitting its fourth decade. If you're considering living here or even just curious about why it dominates the skyline in this part of Midtown, you need the full picture—not just the glossy broker babble.
The Reality of Living at 150 E 34th St NYC
Location is the obvious sell. You're basically living at the crossroads of everything. But let’s talk about the actual "living" part. The units at 150 E 34th St NYC are surprisingly large. That's the 80s influence for you. While new developments are trying to squeeze "luxury" into 400-square-foot studios, the floor plans here actually let you breathe. You can fit a real couch. A dining table. Maybe even a desk for that hybrid job everyone seems to have now.
Most of these units are high-floor apartments with views that, frankly, make the rent feel a lot more reasonable. If you're on the south side, you’re staring right at the Empire State Building. It’s so close it feels like you could touch the spire. On a rainy Tuesday night, that view matters. It reminds you why you’re paying New York prices in the first place.
The building operates as a mix of long-term rentals and, historically, some hospitality elements. This gives the lobby a different energy than a standard residential co-op. It’s busier. There’s more turnover. You’ll see suitcases. For some, that’s a dealbreaker because it lacks that "neighborhood" intimacy. For others, it means the staff is incredibly efficient and used to handling high-volume requests. The doormen here have seen it all.
Why the Location Is Both a Blessing and a Curse
Living at 150 East 34th Street puts you right near the 6 train at 33rd Street. It’s a three-minute walk. You’ve also got the M34 Select Bus Service right outside your door. If you work at NYU Langone or Bellevue, this is essentially your backyard. It's why you see so many scrubs in the elevators. Doctors and nurses love this building for the proximity to "Hospital Row."
But—and there's always a but—34th Street is loud. It's a major crosstown artery. You have sirens. You have delivery trucks. You have the general hum of a city that doesn't know how to shut up. If you're on a lower floor, you're going to hear that. It’s the price of being in the middle of it all. Surprisingly, the windows do a decent job of muffling the chaos, but don't expect the silence of a Brooklyn cul-de-sac.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Murray Hill
People think Murray Hill is just bars and brunch. And sure, Third Avenue is a gauntlet of "Buy One Get One" mimosas on Saturdays. But staying at 150 E 34th St NYC puts you in a slightly more "grown-up" pocket of the area. You’re closer to the Morgan Library & Museum than you are to the rowdiest sports bars. You can actually find a quiet cup of coffee if you walk a block or two west toward Park Avenue.
The food scene nearby has gotten way better too. You aren't just stuck with Shake Shack (though having one close is dangerous for the wallet). You have places like Sarge’s Delicatessen for a late-night pastrami fix—it's one of the few places left that feels like "Old New York." Then you have the whole Curry Hill section just a few blocks south, offering some of the best Indian food in the Western Hemisphere.
The Amenities: Expectation vs. Reality
Let's get real about the gym and the common areas. In 150 E 34th St NYC, the fitness center is solid. It's not an Equinox, but it gets the job done. The real star is the laundry situation and the general maintenance. In many NYC buildings, a leak is a week-long drama. Here, because of the building's scale and management style, things tend to get fixed faster.
- The Roof Access: If you can get up there, do it. The skyline view is one of the best in the city for a mid-block building.
- Elevator Speed: It sounds nerdy, but in a 37-story building, elevator speed is life. These move. You aren't waiting ten minutes to get to work.
- Storage: There’s actually some. A rarity in Manhattan.
Is It a Good Investment?
If you're looking at this from a real estate perspective, the 10016 zip code is traditionally stable. It’s the "boring" bet that usually pays off. 150 E 34th St NYC doesn't see the massive price swings that you might find in ultra-trendy neighborhoods like Bushwick or the Lower East Side. It’s consistent.
The rental market here is propped up by the nearby hospitals and the Midtown office crowd. Even when the economy gets weird, people still need to live near the hospitals. This creates a "floor" for property values. You're not going to see a 50% jump in value overnight, but you also aren't likely to see it crater. It’s a blue-chip location.
Dealing with the "Hospital Row" Vibe
One thing people don't mention is the ambulance traffic. Being near NYU Langone means you are in the flight path for emergency vehicles. You get used to it. It becomes white noise after a month. But if you’re a light sleeper, invest in a high-quality white noise machine or some heavy-duty blackout curtains.
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On the flip side, the security in this area is top-notch. Because of the high-profile institutions nearby, there’s a constant police and security presence. It’s one of the few parts of Midtown where you can walk your dog at 3 AM and feel totally fine.
The Logistics You Actually Care About
Let's talk trash. Literally. The building is kept clean. For a high-density New York tower, that's a feat. The staff works incredibly hard, and it shows in the hallways. You don't have that "old building" smell that haunts many of the pre-war options in Murray Hill.
Parking is another story. There’s a garage, but it’s New York—it’ll cost you a small fortune. If you can live without a car here, do it. You're within walking distance of the 4, 5, 6, 7, and S trains, plus Metro-North. Having a car at 150 E 34th St NYC is basically just paying for a very expensive metal pet that you never get to play with.
The Resident Mix
Who actually lives here? It's a cocktail. You have the young professionals who are willing to pay a premium for a shorter commute. You have medical residents who look like they haven't slept since 2022. And you have a surprising number of long-term New Yorkers who moved in years ago and realized that having a doorman and a view of the Chrysler Building is hard to give up.
It’s not a "party building" in the sense that everyone knows each other and hangs out on the roof. It’s more of a "respectful nod in the elevator" kind of place. People are busy. They have lives. They value their privacy.
Navigating the Neighborhood Like a Pro
If you end up at 150 E 34th St NYC, your first stop should be the Fairway Market on 2nd Ave. It’s the best grocery store in the area, hands down. Avoid the smaller bodegas for your "big" shops unless you want to pay $9 for a half-gallon of milk.
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For a drink that isn't loud and obnoxious, head over to The Campbell at Grand Central. It's a bit of a walk, but it's one of the most beautiful bars in the world. Or, if you want something closer, hit up a local spot like Middle Branch for some high-end cocktails without the Midtown crowd.
Final Thoughts on 150 E 34th St NYC
The building isn't perfect. No building in New York is. But 150 E 34th St NYC offers a level of consistency and space that is becoming increasingly rare in Manhattan. It’s for the person who wants to be in the center of the action but wants a quiet, clean place to retreat to at the end of the day.
If you value square footage and a view over having the newest, trendiest lobby in the city, this place is a strong contender. It’s a workhorse of a building. It does its job well, it stays out of your way, and it puts you exactly where you need to be.
Actionable Steps for Potential Residents
Before you sign a lease or look at a floor plan, do these three things:
- Visit at 5 PM on a Tuesday. You need to see the lobby at peak chaos. If you can handle the "rush hour" energy of the building, you'll be fine.
- Check the South-Facing Windows. If a view is your priority, make sure you aren't on a floor where a neighboring building clips your sightline. The Empire State view is the gold standard here—don't settle for less if you're paying the premium.
- Walk the "Commute." Actually walk from the building to the 33rd St subway station. Note the foot traffic. Note the wind tunnel effect on 34th Street. It’s a daily reality you should be comfortable with.
- Audit the Noise. Stand in the unit and stay silent for three minutes. Listen for the HVAC and the street noise. NYC apartments are never silent, but you need to know what kind of "loud" you're buying into.
150 E 34th St NYC is a solid, dependable piece of the Manhattan skyline. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s just trying to provide a high-quality place to live in one of the busiest cities on earth. For most, that’s more than enough.