Turtle Bay
Midtown East neighborhood home to the United Nations, with a surprisingly quiet residential character tucked behind the city's diplomatic corridor.
Turtle Bay Building Violation Profile
Measured from HPD violations and 311 complaints filed in the 12 months to September 2026, matched to this area's buildings. Use it to set expectations before you sign or hire.
Rodent complaints ran 2.1 per 1,000 apartments, below the citywide 8.8.
Heat and hot water complaints in Turtle Bay ran 29.7 per 1,000 apartments over that year, below the citywide 125.7.
The median Turtle Bay apartment building went up in 1926, 32.1% of apartments sit in buildings from before 1940 (citywide 45.8%), and 8.7% are in buildings of five floors or fewer (citywide 37.1%).
Most common HPD issues in Turtle Bay
HPD issued 2.9 violations per 100 apartments in Turtle Bay over the 12 months to September 2026, below the citywide 30.1. Immediately hazardous Class C conditions ran 0.8 per 100 apartments against 9.2 citywide, and 59.5% of buildings recorded none.
Area figures describe 590 buildings holding 33,951 apartments, so check the specific address before you sign: one building's record can sit far from its neighborhood's average.
What the Records Show in Turtle Bay
Buildings in Turtle Bay averaged 2.9 HPD violations per 100 apartments over the 12 months to September 2026, below the citywide 30.1. Immediately hazardous Class C conditions ran 0.8 per 100 apartments against 9.2 citywide, and 59.5% of buildings recorded none at all.
| Measure | Turtle Bay | Citywide |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment buildings | 590 | 172,071 |
| Apartments | 33,951 | 2,846,490 |
| HPD violations per 100 apartments | 2.9 | 30.1 |
| Class C (immediately hazardous) per 100 | 0.8 | 9.2 |
| Buildings with no violations | 59.5% | 45.3% |
| Apartments in pre-1940 buildings | 32.1% | 45.8% |
| Apartments in buildings of 5 floors or fewer | 8.7% | 37.1% |
| Median year built | 1926 | n/a |
Figures cover buildings with three or more apartments in East Midtown-Turtle Bay, using HPD violations inspected in the 12 months to September 2026 and city lot records. Citywide figures use the same method. Search a specific address for that building’s own record.
Services in Turtle Bay
Each service page is tailored to Turtle Bay’s building stock and common violation patterns.
Violation-Linked Repairs
For when Turtle Bay buildings already have open violations
Pre-Lease & Investigation
Audit a Turtle Bay building before you commit
Move-In Essentials
For after you’ve checked the building
Building Stock & Character
Mid-century high-rises, some pre-war buildings, modern condos
Diplomatic enclave, surprisingly quiet, convenient Midtown access, UN neighborhood
4/5/6 (51st St, 42nd St), 7 train (42nd St), E/M (Lexington)
Tourist pressure near UN, FDR Drive noise on east edge, lacks neighborhood feel