If you’ve spent any time hunting for an apartment on the Upper East Side, you know the drill. You see a listing for 185 E 85th Street, better known to locals and real estate junkies as The Continental, and you think, "Okay, the location is unbeatable." But there’s a lot more to this 40-story tower than just being a few steps from the 4, 5, and 6 trains.
It's massive.
Actually, it’s one of those buildings that sort of defines the skyline of Yorkville. Built in 1975, it doesn’t have that "glass box" feel of the newer developments popping up further south. It has soul. Or at least, it has the kind of sturdy, post-war reliability that people who actually live in New York crave.
The Reality of Life at 185 E 85th Street
The first thing you notice when you walk up to 185 E 85th Street New York is the sheer scale. We are talking about over 500 units. That is a small village stacked vertically. Honestly, it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re coming from a boutique brownstone.
Living here means you're basically at the crossroads of everything. You have the AMC Orpheum 7 right across the street. You have Whole Foods a block away. You’ve got the Q train nearby at 86th and 2nd. If you can’t find what you need within a three-block radius of this building, you probably don’t need it.
The units themselves? They vary wildly. Because the building has been around since the mid-70s, you’ll find apartments that haven't been touched in decades alongside ultra-modern, gut-renovated pads with stainless steel and waterfall islands. It’s a roll of the dice. But the one thing that stays consistent is the light. Once you get above the 15th floor, the views of the East River or the Central Park canopy are genuinely distracting.
✨ Don't miss: Am I Gay Buzzfeed Quizzes and the Quest for Identity Online
Why the Location at 85th and Third is a Game Changer
You’ve heard it before: location, location, location. But let’s get specific. Most people think 86th Street is just a noisy transit hub. It kind of is. But 185 E 85th Street is tucked just far enough south that you escape the worst of the cross-town bus screeching while still reaping the benefits.
You can literally wake up at 8:15 AM and be on a downtown express train by 8:23 AM.
That’s a luxury in this city.
Then there’s the park. Walking to Central Park from 85th Street is a ritual for residents here. You enter at the 85th Street Transverse, right near the Great Lawn. It’s arguably the best part of the park. No tourists clogging up the Sheep Meadow; just locals, runners, and dogs.
What the Amenities Actually Look Like
Most buildings brag about their "luxury amenities," but at The Continental, it’s a bit more practical. There’s a 24-hour doorman, obviously. The staff here is legendary for being on a first-name basis with everyone, which is impressive given there are hundreds of tenants.
🔗 Read more: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
The fitness center is decent. It’s not an Equinox, but it does the job for a morning cardio session. There’s also a roof deck. This is where the building really wins. On a Tuesday night in July, watching the sunset over the reservoir from the top of 185 E 85th Street New York makes every penny of that Upper East Side rent feel worth it.
- The Laundry Situation: There’s a central laundry room. It’s huge. You rarely wait for a machine, which is a low-key miracle in Manhattan.
- Storage: They have it, but like everywhere else in the city, there’s usually a waitlist.
- Garage: There is on-site parking. It’s expensive. But if you own a car in this zip code, you already knew that.
Misconceptions About High-Rise Living in Yorkville
Some people think living in a building this big feels anonymous. It can. But the "Continental community" is real. You see the same people at the bagel shop on the corner or grabbing a drink at The Penrose.
Another myth? That it’s too noisy.
Actually, the soundproofing in these older 70s builds is often better than the paper-thin walls of the "luxury" towers built in 2015. The concrete slabs are thick. Unless your neighbor is practicing the drums, you’re usually golden.
Pricing Trends and What to Expect
Let’s talk money. Yorkville used to be the "affordable" part of the Upper East Side. That’s changing. With the Second Avenue Subway (the Q train) being fully operational for years now, the secret is out.
💡 You might also like: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
At 185 E 85th Street, you’re looking at premium prices, but you get more square footage than you would in Chelsea or the West Village. Studios usually hover in the mid-to-high $3,000s, while two-bedrooms can easily clear $6,000 or $7,000 depending on the renovation level.
It’s an investment in convenience.
Actionable Tips for Potential Residents
If you’re seriously considering a move to 185 E 85th Street New York, don't just look at the floor plan. Go to the building at 5:30 PM on a weekday. See how the elevators handle the rush. Check the wind tunnel effect on 85th street—it’s real.
Ask the leasing agent or the current tenant about the heat. These older central systems can be aggressive. You might find yourself cracking a window in the middle of January because the building is so well-insulated.
Check the specific line of the apartment. The "A" line and "K" line often have the most coveted views, but the lower-floor units facing the interior courtyard are significantly quieter if you’re a light sleeper.
Finally, walk the neighborhood at night. Yorkville is safe, but it’s busy. Make sure you’re okay with the energy of 86th Street. If you want silence, move to 92nd and Beekman. If you want to be in the middle of the action, this is your spot.
Before signing a lease, verify the current status of any planned facade work (Local Law 11). Like many NYC high-rises, scaffolding is a recurring character in the building's life, and you'll want to know if your view is about to be obscured by green mesh for six months. Secure a unit on a higher floor if your budget allows; the psychological benefit of seeing the horizon in Manhattan cannot be overstated. Reach out to a local broker who specializes in Yorkville to see off-market pocket listings that might not hit StreetEasy immediately.