What commercial spaces are in demand on the Upper East Side?

The Upper East Side sees strong demand for upscale retail on Madison Avenue (where trophy retail commands $893/SF), medical and professional offices along the Lexington corridor ($192–312/SF), and restaurants and food & beverage businesses on Third Avenue — currently the highest-velocity leasing corridor in Manhattan. Personal service businesses that cater to the neighborhood's affluent residential base also perform well, with 86th Street's crosstown commercial spine at $200/SF anchoring the neighborhood's everyday retail.

How long does it take to lease commercial space on the UES?

Retail and restaurant spaces on prime UES avenues typically lease within 3 to 5 months. Medical offices can take longer due to build-out requirements. Side street locations may require more targeted marketing and tenant sourcing. We set realistic timelines based on your specific space and location.

Do you handle restaurant leases on the Upper East Side?

Yes. Restaurant leasing on the UES involves specific considerations including Community Board review for liquor licenses, kitchen ventilation requirements, and landlord approval of restaurant concepts. We manage these complexities and source restaurant tenants whose concepts align with the neighborhood's dining landscape.

Commercial · Upper East Side

Commercial Leasing on the Upper East Side

The Upper East Side's commercial landscape is defined by its affluent residential population and the spending power they bring to local businesses. Madison Avenue — where asking rents reach $893 per square foot on the trophy stretch between 60th and 76th — sets the pace for one of Manhattan's most stratified commercial markets. Lexington Avenue service retail, anchored by the 4/5/6 subway corridor at $192–312 per square foot, and the medical office district along the East 60s and 70s create distinct commercial submarkets within a single neighborhood. For landlords with commercial space on the UES, finding the right tenant means understanding which business types thrive in each micromarket.

Meraki Realty provides exclusive landlord representation for commercial leasing throughout the Upper East Side. Our team tracks retail and office rent trends across five distinct corridors — from Third Avenue, which posted the highest leasing velocity in Manhattan, to the luxury Madison Avenue frontage expanding above 76th Street — giving landlords a data-driven view of where their space fits in the competitive landscape.

The Upper East Side rewards patient, strategic tenant placement over quick fills. With average commercial lease terms of seven years, a well-matched tenant on Madison Avenue can anchor a space for a decade or more, while a poor match leads to costly turnover within two years. Our tenant vetting process evaluates business viability, neighborhood fit, and long-term financial capacity — not just the ability to sign a lease today.

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Local Expertise

Why Upper East Side Landlords Need Strategic Leasing

Madison Avenue Retail Standards

Madison Avenue retail tenants face high expectations from both landlords and neighboring businesses. With asking rents of $893 per square foot on the premier stretch and $650 per square foot in the expanding luxury zone above 76th, attracting tenants that meet the avenue's prestige standards while delivering reliable rent requires careful vetting and strategic outreach to the right retail categories.

Medical Office Demand

The UES medical corridor — concentrated along Lexington Avenue where rents range from $192 to $312 per square foot — creates steady demand for professional office space from physicians, dentists, and medical practices. These tenants offer excellent lease stability but require specific build-out considerations including plumbing, ventilation, and ADA compliance.

Community Board and Permit Navigation

New commercial tenants on the Upper East Side often face Community Board review, especially for restaurant and nightlife uses. Our team anticipates these requirements and guides tenants through the approval process to avoid delays.

Our Approach

What We Offer in Upper East Side

Madison Avenue Tenant Sourcing

We maintain relationships with luxury retail brands, boutique operators, and upscale service businesses seeking Madison Avenue presence — from the trophy $893/SF zone below 76th to the emerging luxury spillover blocks above it.

Medical Office Leasing

Our team understands the specific infrastructure needs of medical tenants and markets accordingly to physician groups and healthcare practices relocating or expanding on the UES.

Neighborhood Demographic Analysis

We provide landlords with detailed demographic data on UES residents including household income, spending patterns, and foot traffic — informing tenant selection for maximum compatibility.

Market Data