Want sweeping views of Manhattan from up to 20 stories in the air—without leaving your couch? You’re in luck. A new affordable housing lottery has officially opened for The Lotus, a brand-new luxury rental in Murray Hill that blends modern design, sustainability, and serious amenities.
🪷 Inside The Lotus
Located at 255 East 39th Street, the gorgeous building is a newly constructed 20-story residential tower offering light-filled apartments with oversized windows and contemporary finishes.
Designed to feel calm, modern, and intentional, the building prioritizes comfort while maximizing views of the surrounding Manhattan skyline.
📚 The History
The Lotus was developed by Brause Realty in collaboration with Lonicera Partners and AECOM Tishman, with architectural design by CetraRuddy.
The building topped out in September 2024 and includes 157 total residences, 48 of which are designated as affordable under the city’s now-expired 421-a tax abatement program.
🌳 Modernity and Sustainability
Each residence is designed with everyday livability in mind, featuring oversized windows that flood the space with natural light, efficient and modern layouts that maximize comfort, high-performance electric appliances, and quiet, energy-efficient building systems. The result is a home that feels both elevated and deeply practical.
Additionally, sustainability is central to The Lotus’s design, with features that significantly reduce its environmental footprint. The building incorporates a Zone Green–certified envelope to lower carbon emissions, solar panels to support clean energy use, and fully electric HVAC systems and appliances. Together with energy-efficient infrastructure throughout, these elements reflect what the developer describes as “vegan principles,” emphasizing low-impact, forward-thinking construction.
🏋️♀️ Amenities
Residents have access to an impressive suite of amenities, including:
- 24-hour attended lobby with concierge
- Fitness center and yoga room
- Co-working lounge
- Game room with billiards and foosball
- Residents’ lounge
- Children’s playroom
- Golf and multisport simulator
- Screening room
- Rooftop terrace with BBQ grills and outdoor dining
- Shared laundry room
🏙️ Available Units
The housing lottery includes 48 mixed-income apartments, with rents ranging from:
- Studios starting at $1,842/month
- Two-bedroom apartments up to $4,518/month
✅ Eligibility and Income
- Open to New Yorkers earning 70%–130% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
- 25% preference given to residents of Manhattan Community District 6
- Applications are open through March 30th, 2026
Applications are now open through NYC Housing Connect’s official website! With its prime location near Grand Central Terminal, access to the 7 train, and a rare mix of affordability and luxury, The Lotus offers a compelling opportunity to live high above the city—literally and figuratively.