The Upper East Side is among the most consistent of Manhattan neighborhoods, but at New Construction Manhattan, we hear everything, and there's always something happening in terms of real estate. Here's a roundup of some of the bigger stories to hit the Upper East Side real estate world in August.

The Carlton House Condo Conversion Underway

The Carlton House at 21 East 61 Streetis one of the most anticipated condo conversions in the Upper East Side. The former Helmsley Carlton House Hotel is being converted into 69 condos, with the largest being a 10,000 square-foot townhouse “mansion”, which will be new construction connected to the the building on 61st Street. The condo conversion at the Carlton House will also include a 9,000 square-foot duplex penthouse.

One-story Building with Marble Facade Torn Down

To make way for more residential development, a one-story building on East 79th Street was torn down earlier this month. The charming little building was once home to Schrafft’s, the formerly popular chain of restaurants. No news on the size of the building that will take it’s place, but it’s probably safe to expect more than one story.

New 6-Story Building Coming to 61st Street

27 East 61st Street will be home to brand new six-story mixed-use building. The new construction project will include two private residential floors, two commercial floors and Geisha, a sushi restaurant, in the base of the building. Both residences on the top floors will be nearly identical one-bedrooms, with the fourth floor having a roof terrace and the fifth a balcony.

Section 8 Housing Residents Could Be Forced to Downsize

It looks like some Section 8 voucher recipients will be forced to downsize from their current apartments at Knickerbocker Plaza on 91st Street and 2nd Avenue. Due to some $35 million in federal budget cuts to the Section 8 housing program, the Department of Housing Preservation is attempting to make up for the shortfall by moving current tenants to smaller apartments.

Fifth Avenue Townhouse Needs to Live Up Fifth Ave Prestige

At 815 Fifth Avenue, a six-story townhouse can’t seem to get the entire approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Built in 1871, the building is the oldest along Fifth Avenue in the Upper East Side, though renovations did occur to the exterior in the 1920’s. Architect Tim Greer has proposed a 14-story residential building, and though the Commission is pleased with his most recent rendering, it’s still not good enough. This is Fifth Avenue, after all.