More than ever, parents are choosing to raise their kids in the city.%uFFFDAfter all, there’s no other place in the world where such an array of arts and culture, beautiful public parks and green spaces, top schools and diverse neighborhoods can be found within a five-minute walk of one’s front door. Despite the tumultuous economy, families are investing in new homes here, and developers are meeting the demand. In what feels like an unprecedented residential building boom, luxury apartments seem to be going up on every block, and many of them are catering to families. From onsite play spaces with children’s programming, to entertainment lounges stocked with games, to concierge services that arrange everything from vacations to birthday parties, buildings are offering up an abundance of amenities just for families. If this new style of city living appeals to you, then enjoy the parade of new buildings on the following pages. One of them might just be the right fit for your family.
UPPER EAST SIDE
Azure (333 East 91st
Street)
This 34-story luxury building features one- to
fivebedroom apartments with expansive windows offering views of the East
River and Manhattan. “Azure is at the vanguard of a new way of family
living in Manhattan,” says Douglas MacLaury of the Mattone Group, one of
the building’s joint developers along with The DeMatteis Organizations.
“It’s a property that offers so much at such exceptional value.” Azure
has studios, one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, including
combination homes that allow families to customize their living space.
Families will appreciate the building’s amenities, which include a
residents’ lounge, a fitness center, a private dining room with catering
kitchen, and a landscaped roof terrace. There’s a children’s playroom,
as well as a teen game room equipped with video games, billiards, and
foosball.
Central
Park Plaza (1851 Adam Clayton Powell)
This elegant pre-war
condominium conversion has the perfect family-friendly location: it’s
just steps from Central Park. The six- and seven-room homes are situated
within two six-story limestone and brick buildings spanning a full city
block. The apartments are spacious with open kitchens, solid wood oak
floors, high ceilings, and architectural crown and base moldings.
Residents also receive a complimentary one-year membership to the
Abigail Michaels concierge service, which provides services related to
home needs, entertainment, travel, shopping, and more. Parents and kids
alike will love the amenities, which include a roof deck overlooking
Central Park, a fitness center, and plenty of storage space.
Georgica (305 East 85th
Street)
Inspired
by the Georgica Pond in East Hampton, this 20-story building offers 58
units. “Georgica’s furnished model residences showcase the luxury of
space, the flexibility of floor plans and unlimited decorating
potential,” noted Rob Kaliner, principal of Ascend Group LLC, developer of
Georgica. “These homes highlight the versatility of the building, which
suits many preferences and lifestyles.” Building amenities include a
children’s playroom, landscaped roof deck with playground,
a concierge service, a private fitness center and more.
Isis Condominium (303
East 77th Street)
This boutique residence offers up intimate living— there
are only 32 homes, and just two per floor. The two-, three-, and
four-bedroom units feature top-of-the-line Subzero and Viking
appliances, Poggenpohl cabinetry, steam showers and radiant heat
flooring in the master bathrooms, hardwood floors, and oversized windows
that let in plenty of light. Building amenities include a common
rooftop terrace, beautifully-designed lobby, and sophisticated video
intercom security system. Plus, families will appreciate that the
building is located just a short walk from Central Park.
Manhattan House (200
East 66th Street)
This
luxury building is full of inspired amenities, including a Roto
Studio-designed children’s playroom, where kids can explore science, art
and culture. Another notable building feature is the rooftop Manhattan
Club, with panoramic skyline views, an expansive terrace, indoor library
and lounge. Set within one of Manhattan’s largest private residential
gardens, Manhattan House offers spacious and light-filled apartments,
many featuring multiple exposures, expansive closets and storage space,
fireplaces and private balconies. “This, complemented by its location in
the heart of the Upper East Side just moments from prominent private
and public schools, Central Park, restaurants and activities, is why
many, including residents who grew up in the building, have chosen
Manhattan House as the place to raise families of their own,” says Brian
Fallon, partner of O’Connor Capital Partners and president of Manhattan
House.
Miraval
Living (515 East 72nd Street)
Designed by Miraval, known for its high-end resorts
and spas, Miraval Living is a unique and luxurious addition to the Upper
East Side. Perhaps its biggest draw for families is its close-knit
community: the building features a children’s activity center with art
and education classes, and a private park with lawn chairs and tables.
There’s also a swimming pool, a basketball court, and a gym with an
indoor and outdoor yoga studio, and spa—among other features. “It’s one
place in the city where you have the best of both worlds in perfect
balance,” sums up Elaine Diratz, managing director at Corcoran Sunshine.
BATTERY PARK
CITY
The Visionaire (55
Battery Place)
Located in Battery Park, the 35-story Visionaire is a
green building featuring natural materials, an advanced fresh air supply
system, and energy-saving technology. It also boasts a fitness center
and spa, a landscaped roof garden, a sky-lit indoor pool, a children’s
playroom, and a 12-foot reef aquarium. But most noteworthy is its
children’s programming, provided by Wellness 360. “Because The
Visionaire is truly a community, we have the opportunity to talk to the
residents to find out exactly what they want and need,” says Liz
Neporent, president of Wellness 360. Just a few of the activities they
offer: swim lessons, story times, and family movie nights.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
200 Water Street
The 576 newly renovated
residences in this luxury building have a unique perk: VIP access to the
worldfamous Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, which is opening next door as a
3-story restaurant. Tenants can bypass the long lines, and get free
delivery service. 200 Water Street also boasts other family-friendly
touches, including a rooftop terrace on the 33rd floor with chaises,
card tables, cabanas, a BBQ grill, WiFi access, and a waterfall shower
that kids will love. The residences themselves are spacious (the
two-bedroom apartments, for example, are 1,500-square-feet) and feature
oversized windows offering views of the East River, Manhattan and
Brooklyn Bridges and neighboring South Street Seaport.
MIDTOWN WEST
Emerald Green (320 West
38th Street)
Consisting of two 24story towers and 569
apartments with spacious layouts and impressive city views, Emerald
Green is a luxury rental building that lives up to its name. The
building is designed to qualify for LEED certification, and features
recycled-content construction materials, water-efficient plumbing, and a
parking garage outfitted with electric car charging stations—among
other features. “Enhancing the quality of life for not only our
residents, but also future generations is a top priority,” says Gary
Jacob, executive vice president of Glenwood Management, the building’s
developer. There’s no shortage of onsite activities, either: building
amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center and swimming pool, a
circular stone whirlpool spa, a children’s playroom with hand-painted
murals, and a screening room with theater-style seating.
Silver Towers (620 West
42nd Street)
Built
by World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, this pair of
60-story glass towers comprise the largest rental development in New
York City and features 935 market-rate residences, ranging from studios
to penthouses. An onsite park features a bronze playground sculpture
designed by renowned artist Tom Otterness. “The public park at Silver
Towers will be a magnificent oasis for the families of the Clinton
District area,” says Lisa Silverstein, project developer for Silver
Towers. “From the giant play sculpture and bocce ball court to the
multiple options for gathering in beautiful outdoor settings, the
development will further enhance the neighborhood for everyone.” The
building also features an indoor pool, concierge, dog run, state-ofthe
art fitness center, and Wi-Fi Lounge, among other features.
CHELSEA
120 Eleventh Ave
Located near Hudson
River Park and the Highline, this original turn-of-the-century loft
building in the West Chelsea gallery district features five true lofts
and two modern triplex penthouse residences. The homes have oversized
windows, restored original hardwood floors, and generously sized
layouts. Since there are entrances to the building on both 11th Avenue
and West 20th Street, all of the lofts have private elevator access. And
a big plus for families: “Each loft will have a mem bership for two to
Chelsea Piers, which is across the street, for one year,” says Lida
Drummond, a sales associate with Prudential Douglas Elliman.
Chelsea
Enclave (177 Ninth Avenue)
Set amid the grounds of The General Theological
Seminary, this luxury building overlooks The Close—a serene stretch of
lawns, gardens and trees. “This is such a unique location in the city, I
really don’t think there is any place like it,” says Dan Brodsky,
managing partner with The Brodsky Organization, the building’s
developer. The 53 residences at the Chelsea Enclave include one-, two-,
three, and four bedrooms and penthouses. A big draw for families is the
onsite apple seeds, a popular children’s play space. There’s also a
private roof lounge with a children’s play area and a sundeck with a
built-in grill. Plus, a tennis court and day care center operated by the
seminary are available to Chelsea Enclave residents.
UPPER WEST SIDE
200 West (200 West 72nd
Street) Located on Broadway and 72nd Street on the Upper West Side,
200 West is a noteworthy addition to the luxury rental market. “I think
it stands apart from other rental apartments because we’ve paid so much
attention to every detail,” says Jeffrey Kaye, vice president of the
Gotham Real Estate Developers, the building’s developer. The 196 luxury
apartments include a high number of spacious two- and three-bedroom
homes, which are relatively uncommon in the rental market. Each has its
own washer-dryer unit and plenty of closet space. The building is
eco-friendly and features Energy Saver appliances and water-saving
plumbing features. Families will love spending time in the playroom and
roof deck, which has a mist wall, sundeck, barbeque area, movie theatre
screen, and fireplace area.
235 West 71st Street
This boutique building
offers the best of both worlds: it’s small and intimate, yet features an
abundance of services, including a full-time doorman, playroom, gym,
storage room, bike room and live-in super. In addition to sprawling full
floor apartments with six-plus bedrooms, enormous eat-in kitchens and
two family rooms/libraries, there is a ground floor duplex with a
1200-square foot garden, and a ninth-floor full floor apartment with a
huge landscaped terrace. “This is a unique building with only large
apartments and not many apartments—thus providing very high attention to
owners’ needs,” says Lisa Lippman, senior vice president and director
of Brown Harris Stevens.
905
West End Avenue
Situated
one block from Riverside Park, this pre-war building features two- to
four-bedroom units perfect for families. The interiors feature European
elegance combined with modern design touches. The lobby offers a
striking first impression, boasting a turn-of-the-century staircase
accented by a stained-glass window. Residences have kitchens with
granite countertops, white crackle mosaic tile backsplash, Tuscan
Botticino floors; and bathrooms with Zuma bathtubs and Waterworks
fixtures. Enjoying the boutique environment, the building comes complete
with a roof deck for the owners, as well as bike storage, onsite
resident managers and a 24-hour doorman.
The Apthorp (390 West End Avenue)
The legacy of
The Apthorp dates back to 1908, when financier William Waldorf Astor and
his team of architects made it the world’s largest residential
building. Today, families can still enjoy its Italian Renaissance
detailing and design—not to mention an expansive interior courtyard. But
the building also boasts floor plans and amenities suited to the tastes
and lifestyles of today’s families. Originally consisting of 10-room
apartments with six bedrooms, today’s renovated residences are still
breathtaking in size and range from 1,100 to 6,000 square-feet and four
to 12 rooms. The building also has plans to add a fitness center and
children’s playroom.
The Ariel (East and West; 2628 Broadway and 245 West 99th
Street)
The changing face of the
Upper West Side includes Ariel East and West, twin luxury glass towers.
The buildings offer two- to five-bedroom residences with views of
Central Park and the Hudson River. Ariel East has 50 feet of outdoor
space with a playground, and Ariel West has a 100-foot private
landscaped garden off of the lobby as well as a three-lane, 51-foot
swimming pool. Residents can enjoy the La Palestra fitness center, which
features a half-court basketball court, a billiards parlor with a grand
piano, a pet spa, and a 15-seat private screening room.
The Rushmore (Riverside
Boulevard at 64th Street)
This building’s proximity to Riverside Park is
a compelling draw for families. “Riverside South has the flavor of the
Upper West Side with a tremendous sense of luxury and individuality,
because it is on the waterfront and on the park,” not to mention near
Lincoln Center and other great spots, says Donna Gargano, senior vice
president of Extell, the building’s developer. The building also has a
private sundeck and a private onsite screening room, which Gargano says
is part of the Rushmore’s “entertainment suite.” You can work up a sweat
in the La Palestra fitness center and 50-foot pool. Kidville NY runs
the children’s playroom, and residents receive a free membership and
classes at Kidville’s main complex on Columbus Avenue.
TRIBECA
Barclay Tower (10
Barclay Street)
This 58-story, 396-unit luxury rental building offers an intimate
living environment and familyfriendly amenities. “What makes us
different from other buildings is our culture,” says Steve Maschi,
director of marketing at Glenwood Management, Barclay Tower’s developer
and management company. “Our philosophy is when you walk past the front
door, you’re home, before you even cross your apartment door.” The
building’s one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are spacious,
featuring nine-foot ceilings, oversized windows, eat-in kitchens with
granite countertops, and lots of closet space and a washer and dryer in
each unit. In addition, the building has a top-notch playroom and an
indoor pool with dedicated swim times just for kids.
KIPS BAY, TURTLE BAY, &
MURRAY HILL
Waterside Plaza (10-40 Waterside Plaza)
A group of four
residential towers nestled against the East River at 25th Street,
Waterside Plaza boasts spacious two- and three-bedroom luxury rentals as
well as furnished units. “Families love the fact that Waterside Plaza
is ready-made for children—the plaza is secure and spacious, making it a
safe area in which children can play. In addition, families can enjoy
concerts, movies, and holiday celebrations,” says Peter Davis, managing
director of Waterside Plaza. Residents of the Plaza also have access to
its onsite amenities, including a playroom and outdoor playground, The
Waterside Swim & Health Club, an onsite garage, and Creative Dream
Parties, a facility that hosts themed birthday parties for kids. An
onsite concierge desk helps families plan everything from vacations to
music lessons.
Paramount Tower (240 East 39th Street)
The 52-story
Paramount Tower is a luxury rental building that has high-end features
and services while also maintaining a family-friendly feel. “Paramount
Tower sets the standard for exceptional living from the moment one
enters the elegant lobby. Every detail of the public spaces, attentive
services and sophisticated homes conveys quality and comfort,” says Gary
Jacob, executive vice president of Glenwood Management. One-, two- and
three-bedroom apartments are available, which are accessed by quiet
high-speed elevators and warmly lit corridors with alabaster fixtures
and sconces. Amenities include an impressive swim and fitness center
with a lap pool; saunas; a landscaped, furnished sun terrace; a
children’s playroom; and a recreational lounge with an adjacent
kitchen—perfect for children’s birthday parties.
ROOSEVELT ISLAND
Riverwalk Court (415
Main Street)
This luxury waterfront condominium on Roosevelt Island
offers the best of both worlds. “You get city living in a serene
environment. It’s quiet. It’s safe. But you also have access to
Manhattan within minutes,” says Kimberly Sherman Stamler, a vice
president at Related, the building’s developer. The 18-story building
has one-, two-, and threebedroom apartments featuring white oak
flooring, floorto-ceiling windows with city views, and contemporary
kitchens. Building amenities include a children’s playroom,
entertainment lounge with adjoining rooftop sundeck, fitness center and
yoga studio, and rooftop cabanas. Roosevelt Island itself is 47 acres,
two-thirds of which are devoted to public parks, promenades, and open
spaces—including a soccer field right outside the building.
RIVERDALE
Solaria (640 West 237th
Street)
This building offers generously sized one-, two-,
threeand four-bedroom homes, and its amenities include an indoor
playroom designed by Pottery Barn Kids and a stargazing deck. Residents
have formed play groups that often gather in the residents’ lounge,
which has a home theater system, Nintendo Wii, cozy seating, and a
kitchen and dining area. The building also offers a $30,000 education
credit at closing. “Because Riverdale is home to so many of New York
City’s top schools, we thought that home buyers would appreciate a
program that helps them get a jumpstart on a first-rate education for
their children,” says Joseph Korff, principal of Arc Development, the
Solaria’s developer.
BROOKLYN
BellTel Lofts (365 Bridge Street)
Located in the
center of downtown Brooklyn, BellTel Lofts features oversized lofts in a
landmarked Art Deco building, according to JJ Bistricer, vice president
of Clipper Equity, the building’s developer. The interior has been completely renovated to
accommodate New York families looking for real living space. There are
250 units with over 100 different floor plans, many with terraces with
city or river views. Building amenities include a rooftop terrace and a
6,500sq. ft. recreation space with a dedicated children’s playroom
finished with toys and furniture, a fitness center, a yoga/ pilates
studio, and screening room. A business center allows for a quiet place
for work or meetings.
One Brooklyn Bridge Park (360 Furman Street)
This 14-story, 449-unit
building, housing everything from studios to penthouses, overlooks the
East River and is situated within the planned Brooklyn Bridge Park.
“Lovely Brooklyn Heights is already well known for being a great
family neighborhood,” says Sarah Burke, vice president of sales and
marketing at The Developers Group. Amenities include a large children’s
playroom, a music room, an art room, and a large roof terrace. There
also are 550 parking spaces available for sale or lease.
One Hanson Place (1
Hanson Place)
The site of the former Williamsburg Savings Bank is now a
37-story luxury building for families. The historically landmarked
exterior and ground floor of the bank have been retained, and the site
houses 189 spacious residential units with open kitchens and high-end
appliances, and bathrooms featuring custom vanities and mosaic stone.
Amenities include a children’s playroom, free bike/stroller storage, a
24-hour doorman and business center, sky lounge and terrace, fitness
center, and two common roof terraces. The building’s location is near
the Brooklyn Academy of Music Cultural District and Fort Greene Park.
The Edge
(Williamsburg Waterfront)
Bordered by the East River, shopping, dining, and the
East River State Park, The Edge (pictured on page 92) is part of a
revitalization of the waterfront area in northern Williamsburg. It’s
home to two residential buildings containing 565 condominiums, 60,000
square feet of retail space, below-grade parking, and approximately 1.75
acres of open space slated to include a public park, promenade, and a
water taxi landing. Residents can luxuriate in an indoor openair pool
with outdoor terrace, yoga studio, theatre screening rooms, and
children’s playroom. “For busy families, having a full-service building
creates a very safe harbor,” says Jeffrey Levine, head of Douglaston
Development, the building’s developer.
