Fine, if you don't cook much...

Why is the price so high? especially considering maintenance on the high side as well.

Maintenance is not high for a doorman building. I surmise that pillar is enclosing pipes/utilities that used to be in a wall before these units were combined.

You can be sure it's a gas line. Moving one of those in an old building would be a huge headache as well as shutting off the entire building for a long time.

While were on the subject, check out the huge concrete pillar next to the stove in this kitchen. Another relic of combining units.

https://streeteasy.com/building/the-john-adams/20l

Aaron, I see what you saying but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

I'd put up with it to have a true wood-burning fireplace!

I had a huge brick column in the middle of the poured concrete island in my former loft, and I thought (and still think) it was great. The problem with the unit in original post is that the column is clearly in the way of a functional kitchen, the second one not so much but still an obstacle.

I think it particularly grates on me because I'm left handed, and the space to the left of sinks, stoves, etc. is where I tend to want easy access. There's another similar combo in that building where the kitchen photo shows that whatever it is, it's not going anywhere:

https://streeteasy.com/building/210-east-73-street-new_york/8fgh

(Nice millwork throughout, and 3 WBFs!)

Who cooks in NYC anyway ? ? ?

I did during lockdown.

I cook 95% of the the time. I like to know what I'm sending down my gullet.