Elan Zafir Puts NYC Apartment On Market For $800K

When most people were packing up and leaving New York in the early days of the pandemic, Elan Zafir and his wife Lindsay were moving in.

I know — sounds backwards, right?

But for the Zafirs, that two-bedroom apartment on East 17th Street wasn’t just real estate. It was a decision. While friends fled the city for more space or safety, they doubled down on the very thing that makes NYC… well, NYC. Culture. Connection. Chaos. All of it.

Now, four years later, their Gramercy Park home — a quiet, sunlit co-op inside a 1903 Beaux-Arts building — is up for sale. Price tag? $800,000. And with that comes the story of a home that wasn’t just lived in — it was loved.

Elan, who currently stars alongside Jon Hamm in Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors, described it as “an oasis.” Not the kind of word you expect from someone talking about Manhattan. But when you hear him describe the quiet, the church view, the community, it makes sense.

Most real estate listings give you numbers. This one? It gives you life.

Who Is Elan Zafir? More Than Just That Guy on Apple TV+

If you’ve seen Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+, you’ve probably spotted Elan Zafir playing Rocco — intense, grounded, very New York. What you might not know is that Elan’s been rooted in this city way before streaming platforms made him recognizable.

He moved to NYC in July 2000, lived through 9/11 while staying on Canal Street, spent years in Crown Heights, bounced around the East Village — basically, he’s lived the full New Yorker arc. And off screen, he’s a classically trained stage actor who’s worked with legendary theatre spaces like TFANA, La MaMa, and Classic Stage Company.

This matters. Because when someone like him calls a place “home,” especially after everything he’s seen in this city, it’s not just a place on a map. It’s personal.

And that’s what makes this Gramercy apartment story a little different from the usual celebrity listings you scroll past.

Inside the Apartment: Light, Quiet, and That Church View

Step inside, and it’s not your average Manhattan apartment — especially if you’ve ever rented a cramped box with a view of someone else’s AC unit.

As per NY Post, this place — Residence 3D at 210 E. 17th St. — is part of Mon Bijou, a 1903 Beaux-Arts building whose name literally means “my jewel.” It’s not just marketing speak. Elan described it as “shockingly quiet” — and if you’ve lived here long enough, you know that’s not something people say about Gramercy often.

You’re getting about 1,000 square feet, two proper bedrooms, a full kitchen with real appliances (yes, full-size), in-unit washer/dryer, and seven huge windows pouring in light from the south and east. One of those windows? It looks out onto the back of St. George’s Church, covered in moss, with the kind of stillness that makes the city feel far away.

This isn’t just layout and square footage. It’s about how it feels. And if you’ve ever hunted for peace in a city that never stops buzzing, you’ll get why Elan called it an oasis.

Just like Pat Perez’s Arizona estate designed around his sneaker obsession, Zafir’s space reflects more than just design — it’s a mirror of his lifestyle and values.

Gramercy Park Life: “This Is Where the City Felt Like Home”

Let me ask you something — how often do you hear someone say “this is where New York finally felt like home”?

That’s what Elan said about this pocket of Gramercy. And I get it. Because when you’re just two blocks from the East Village, a few more from Eataly in Madison Square Park, and steps from Stuyvesant Square Park — you’re not just living in a location, you’re living in a rhythm.

Stuyvesant Park isn’t just green space either. They do tango nights. Live concerts. Outdoor movies. It’s not the kind of scene you find in a listing brochure — it’s the stuff that makes people stay rooted. Even in a city that makes it easy to leave.

If you’re someone who wants the best of both worlds — walkable culture and a quiet block to come back to — Gramercy might just be your sweet spot too.

Ever lived somewhere that truly felt like home in the middle of the city chaos? I’d love to hear what made it special for you — share your thoughts in the comments below.

“An Oasis in the City”: What Made This Apartment So Special

I can tell you square footage and finishes all day, but let’s talk about what really made this place special: community.

Elan said it straight — “I know everyone in the building.” Think about that. In a city where most neighbors barely make eye contact, he felt safe enough to let his daughter run downstairs for playdates without worry.

That’s the thing about co-op living in older buildings like Mon Bijou. It’s mostly owner-occupied, which means people care. It’s not revolving door renters or loud parties on Thursdays. It’s quiet. It’s safe. It’s stable.

So yeah, you could look at this apartment as an investment. But if you’ve ever wanted that rare mix of privacy and community — that “small town in the big city” vibe — then this is exactly the kind of place you’d want to live in.

By the way — if you’re into discovering unique homes like this one, there’s a WhatsApp channel I follow that shares real-deal updates, quietly but consistently. Worth checking out if you’re a bit of a home buff.

Why They’re Leaving — and Why It’s Not Easy?

You might be wondering: If it’s so perfect, why move at all?

The answer’s not flashy. It’s family.

Elan and Lindsay are relocating to Morningside Heights because they need more space. Their son is moving in. Their daughter got into a great school uptown. And work, life, logistics — all of it makes more sense there right now.

But they’re not exactly thrilled about leaving. In fact, Elan said it’s “not something we’re looking forward to.” You can hear it in his voice when he talks about how the four of them — just him, his wife, their daughter, and the dog — would all cuddle in the same bed and sleep like that most nights.

That’s not just nostalgia. That’s the kind of memory that sticks.

And honestly, it’s rare to hear a homeowner speak that way when listing a property. Most talk numbers. He’s talking love.

It reminded me a bit of Richard Tyler’s Tuscan-style Pasadena villa — both spaces are rooted in charm, character, and a sense of neighborhood soul you can’t replicate.

What Makes the $800K Price Tag Justified?

Look, $800,000 isn’t small change — especially when we’re talking about a two-bedroom apartment. But here’s the thing: this isn’t priced for flash, it’s priced for fit.

The last one-bed in this same building sold for around $650K in 2021. So you’re getting a fully updated two-bed, corner unit, with southern light and real New York character, for $150K more — in Gramercy Park. That’s rare.

Co-op buildings like Mon Bijou also tend to fly under the radar in flashy listings. No doorman, no rooftop bar — but guess what? You’re not paying $1.2M either. You’re paying for peace, charm, and a rock-solid sense of community.

And if you’ve been tracking NYC real estate lately, you know these kinds of places don’t sit on the market long. Especially not when they’ve got emotional pull and smart pricing.

So if you’re someone who’s been waiting for that “right mix” — here it is. This one checks boxes without burning holes.

It’s not unlike Oprah Winfrey’s lesser-known properties, where emotional value often trumps flashy square footage or big-name buildings.

Is This Apartment Right for You?

Let me be real with you — this apartment isn’t for everyone.

If you want a new-build high-rise with a concierge and a juice bar in the lobby, you’ll hate this place. But if you’re someone who values quiet mornings, walkable parks, and neighbors who’ll actually learn your kid’s name? This is your lane.

It’s perfect for:

• Couples with a young kid
• Artists, actors, or creatives who need calm between gigs
• First-time buyers who want a home, not just a listing

You’ll want to be okay with the co-op structure — it’s stable, but yes, there’s a board. And it helps if you appreciate charm over polish. Because what this apartment offers isn’t cookie-cutter. It’s cozy. Personal. Lived-in — in the best way possible.

So think about what you really want from your space. If it’s connection, calm, and character… you just might be looking at it.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve made it this far, odds are this apartment speaks to you. So don’t just scroll past.

The listing is held by Michelle Griffith at Douglas Elliman — someone who knows how to match buyers with homes that actually fit their lives. You can find more info or schedule a visit through Elliman’s website or your buyer’s agent.

And if you’re not sure yet, at least bookmark this place. Because listings like this don’t pop up every week — and they definitely don’t sit around waiting.

Maybe this becomes your next move. Or maybe it’s just a reminder that homes like this still exist.

Either way — it’s worth a closer look.

Want more real estate stories that go beyond square footage and dive into the people behind the properties? Visit Build Like New for insider listings, celebrity homes, and market insights that matter.

Disclaimer: Property details, pricing, and quotes are based on publicly available sources. Information may change as the listing progresses. Always verify with the official agent or listing source before making decisions.