July 3, 2025

Approval Granted for Demolition of Upper East Side Townhouses

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News Summary

Manuel Glas has received approval to demolish two townhouses at 167 and 169 E. 79th St. in NYC. This paves the way for future developments, though no construction plans are in place yet. The properties are not in historic districts, simplifying redevelopment, but financing is still needed to move forward.

New York City – Architect-developer Manuel Glas has received city approval to demolish two townhouses located at 167 and 169 E. 79th St. on the Upper East Side. The demolition permit was granted on Wednesday, paving the way for potential future developments, although no construction permits have yet been filed.

Glas has owned the townhouse at 167 E. 79th St. since 2016, having purchased the 16-foot-wide, 3,800-square-foot prewar structure for $7.1 million. He recently acquired the adjacent townhouse at 169 E. 79th St., also 16 feet wide but slightly smaller at 3,400 square feet, in an off-market transaction for $12.5 million. The deal for the second property went into contract on May 7 and closed on June 24. The deed for this property lists a shell company linked to Glas’ firm as the contact.

The potential future of these properties remains uncertain, as there are currently no formal plans to construct a new building. However, zoning regulations for the site allow developers to erect towers as tall as 23 stories, with the possibility of larger structures if affordable housing is incorporated into the design.

Importantly, both townhouses are not situated within designated historic districts on the Upper East Side, which may simplify the redevelopment process. Despite this, Glas has not yet secured the necessary financing to move forward with any construction plans.

Glas’s firm, based in New York’s Garment District, has a history of redevelopment projects. The firm previously managed a project on the border of Chinatown and Tribeca, where it acquired two prewar buildings for $20.5 million. In early 2022, they received approval for a 13-story, 32-unit tower on that site, indicating an ability to navigate complex development processes.

The recent approval comes on the heels of controversy associated with Glas’s previous project, known as The Leyton. This luxury tower faced a zoning challenge over alleged size violations but ultimately sold out for $190.4 million. Although there had been concerns about improper construction, these allegations were cleared by the Buildings Department.

Glas maintains a low-key public presence, with no corporate website or active communication channels. Matthew Healey, the attorney who facilitated the recent purchase of 169 E. 79th St., did not provide immediate commentary regarding the new project or Glas’s plans.

As the demolition of the two townhouses begins, the neighborhood watches closely to see what plans Glas may propose moving forward. With prominent zoning allowances in place, the potential for significant development on the Upper East Side could reshape this mid-block parcel, but until financing and construction plans are outlined, the sequence of future events remains to be determined.

In summary, Manuel Glas has received the necessary approval to demolish two townhouses on the Upper East Side, but further development is still uncertain as financing and construction plans are not yet in place.