Square Footage

The offering plan, and the prior listings, say 1,822. Those common charges seem rather low for a doorman building with +/- 40 units

And the brokerbabble says " most desired line ... because of its protected skyline views, including the Empire State Building". Really? Protected? There's a lot of midtown between this place and ESB, none of which is really landmarked, and zoning which permits some rather large construction.

Did the current owners re-renovated a perfectly nice place?
https://streeteasy.com/sale/1221048

Yep. They moved the kitchen and made another bedroom.

So you buy at almost $2k per sq ft and renovate. I realize it is value added reno (and very nice reno) due to creation of a bedroom but that price they paid!! Perhaps it is the view you will never lose as Aaron pointed out.