Like
all parents, city moms and dads care about the quality of their children’s
education, the safety of their neighborhoods, and their family’s access to
parks, playgrounds and cultural fun. In recent years, the city’s high-end
residential market has established another priority for parents who can afford
it: buildings with fun and helpful amenities like children’s playrooms, full-service
gyms, catering kitchens, business centers and swimming pools. In the spirit of
capturing a suburb-in-the-city feel, some also offer backyard areas, landscaped
gardens, rooftop terraces and lots of storage space. What’s next? In this season’s line-up of new residential
properties—which includes some established classics as well—some families won’t
even have to leave the buildings to access a school, a bowling alley…even a
museum!
So whether you’re actively looking to rent or
buy—or just curiously browsing about the market—the following pages will help
you discover a big variety of tempting options around the city.
UPPER
EAST SIDE
Azure (333
East 91st Street)
This 34-story
luxury building features studios up to four-bedroom 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 also offers 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 also a children’s playroom, as
well as a teen game room equipped with video games, billiards and foosball.
The
Pavilion (500
East 77th Street)
Just
steps from John Jay Park and some of the city’s finest schools, this historic
rental building offers one, two and three-bedroom residences, designed with
growing families in mind. “Because of our wide-ranging selection of spacious
homes at The Pavilion, we often find residents moving within the building as
their lives evolve,” explains Steve Maschi, Vice President of Glenwood
Management, the building’s developer and management company. “It is not
uncommon to see a family grow up within one of our properties, resulting in a
very tight-knit community.” 500 East 77th
Street remains one of the most recognized addresses in
New York. The building
offers a variety of amenities and services, including maid service, concierge
service, landscaped roof decks, its own shopping arcade (including a hair and
nail salon), a grocery store, laundry facility, and even a personal training
facility. The circular driveway leads to an elegant lobby with two doormen.
There’s also an attended parking garage and shuttle service to transit and
other shopping areas in the city.
The Touraine
(132A East 65th Street)
This new
15-story building, located in the desirable Lenox Hill neighborhood, was
designed in a French classic style, featuring a stone facade and mansard roof.
“What’s unique is that it’s new construction on the Upper East Side – there’s not a lot of that,” says David
Von Spreckelsen, Division President of Toll Brothers City Living, the
building’s developer. “It’s a boutique building, about 22 units, so it has that
small feeling, yet all the amenities are [characteristic] of new construction
and a bigger building.” This includes a 24-concierge, a wine cellar, lounge,
fitness center, massage and yoga room, library, refrigerated storage and bike
storage, as well as a rooftop deck with a working fireplace. The units also
offer lots of space for families – with high ceilings and some full-floor
units, says Von Spreckelsen, for which keyed-off elevators open right into the
home. Families can choose from two, three or four-bedroom residences, or a
five-bedroom penthouse, all of which feature ornate molding and detailed floor
work, he says.
UPPER
WEST SIDE
220 W.
93rd Street
In
the heart of the Upper West Side, families will
find classic pre-war elegance in this 16-story, 52-unit, pet-friendly building,
which was converted to a condominium in 2006. The apartments are particularly
spacious – comprising four to seven rooms totaling
up to 2,126-square-feet. Families can choose between two, three and
four-bedroom homes. “These apartments also have the ability to be combined,”
says Louise Phillips Forbes, Executive Vice President of Halstead Property
Development Marketing. This can bring the total up to 2,900-square-feet and
five bedrooms, she says. “With two apartments per floor, or even one in some
cases, it’s quite private,” she adds. The building also has the capacity to do
renovations, and many families who don’t want to do it themselves can choose an
upgrade package that includes granite countertops, ceramic and subway tiles,
Sub-zero refrigerators, as well as Viking, Bosch and Miele appliances. The
building’s amenities also include a 24-hour doorman, live-in super, and laundry
room. What particularly stands out, says Forbes, and is that the building’s
management calls upon its residents for feedback in its decision-making. For
example, Samson Management had asked homeowners to lobby for amenities they
wished to have, and as a result, they were able to get approval for bike
storage sheds. Forbes says, “To me, that echoes that a community has been
built.”
The Aldyn ( 60 Riveside Boulevard)
Located on Riverside Boulevard, The Aldyn offers spacious
apartments with one, two, three and four-bedroom homes (many of which offer
spectacular river views) as well as duplex residences that offer their own
pools and elevators. The building also offers over 40,000 square-feet of
amenities. “The sort of guiding principle of the building is that it is housed
around big areas where people can interact,” says Beth Fisher, Senior Managing
Director of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. She notes the numerous cafes and
lounges, a Kidville-designed playroom under construction, and the spectacular
Aldyn Athletic Club and Spa, managed by LA PALESTRA. “When you first enter,
there’s a 38 foot rock climbing wall…there’s a full circuit of weight training,
a bowling alley with a café next to it, and a basketball court.” For even more
recreation, the neighborhood also offers Hudson River Park and Riverside Park.
BATTERY PARK CITY
1 Rector Park
(333 Rector Place)
Walk out the front door of this building and you’ll literally be standing in Rector Park. “It feels like somebody’s front lawn,”
says Tricia Hayes Cole, Executive Managing Director of Corcoran Sunshine
Marketing Group. In this downtown neighborhood, she points out, it’s an urban
environment, but surrounded by 36 acres of open space, 13 parks, basketball
courts, and the esplanade along the riverfront. This, coupled with the size of
the homes at 1 Rector Park, makes it easy to see why families would want to
live here. The building offers up to four bedrooms in seven or eight different
layouts and a broad array of sizes, up to approximately 2600-square-feet.
“There is flexibility in the way that the space can be used,” says Cole, and
many offer water or park views. The building also offers a great amenity
package, including a children’s playroom, Bar and Books lounge, as well as a
fully equipped fitness center, business and homework center and adjacent
parking garage.
FINANCIAL
DISTRICT
20 Pine The Collection (20 Pine Street)
This landmark
building in the heart of the Financial District was the former home of the
Chase Manhattan Bank headquarters. What has made the building unique in
its conversion is its calming design, with interior furnishings by
Armani/Casa. “The building is very classic; Deco in style,” says Lori
Ordover, President the Ordover Group, a consultant to the building’s
developer, Africa Israel. “Armani/Casa wanted to continue in that classic
feel, but contemporize it.” The resulting decor features an inviting color
palette, mostly in beige with black and brown accents. The 409 loft-like
condominium homes are also elegant, featuring kitchen
with cabinetry-concealed appliances and bathrooms complete with rain
showers, Turkish steam baths and soaking tubs. And, no two floors are alike.
“The building sort of ‘wedding cakes.’ As it goes up, the floor plate changes,” Ordover explains. That
results in 67 different floor plans for families to choose from, offering up to
three bedrooms and with oversized windows that let in plenty of light and
unobstructed views that face south toward the New York Stock Exchange. Another
selling point for families is that the building offers plenty of amenities
space. “All of the kids meet at the swimming pool, and at the 25th
terrace they [can be found] playing outside,” says Ordover. There is also a
billiards room, a lounge area with two flat-screen TVs, a winter lounge, golf
simulation room, and a spa and fitness center with full locker room and private
showers. Residents can also take advantage of concierge service, in-house
valet, bike room and storage, a Bright Horizons childcare center right in the
building, and private subway access.
This
recently renovated rental building in the heart of downtown offers one and two-bedroom
residences in a variety of layouts, with all the finishings and amenities one
could expect from a condominium building. This includes poliform cabinetry with
under cabinet lighting, waterworks fixtures, and marble double sinks in the
bathrooms. David Sigman, Executive Vice President and Principal of LCOR, the
building’s developer, says that 25 Broad
Street is all about the space and amenities. The
apartments are larger than most because of its original conversion from an
office building (and three-bedroom units are planned for next summer). And,
there are amenities for all ages. Kids will love the children’s playroom, complete
with computer stations, flat screen TV, stereo, Nintendo Wii station, and golf
simulator, in addition to toys, puzzles and plush toys for the little ones.
Parents can take advantage of the yoga studio, fitness center and catering
kitchen. Valet and concierge service is also available, and an outdoor terrace
will be a welcoming spot on the rooftop next summer.
New York
by Gehry (8 Spruce Street)
Situated right on City Hall Park, and
right on the border of both the Financial District and Tribeca, is the 76-story
New
York by Gehry. The tallest residential building in the western
hemisphere offers great views of the island of Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
“This building has over 200 unique apartments,” says Cliff Finn, President of
New Development Marketing at Citi Habitats. “The facade has a movement to it,
so that each apartment is different in that the interiors reflect the way the
facade moves.” Families have plenty of two- and three-bedroom homes to choose
from. The amenities space takes up three floors of the building, totaling
22,000-square feet. There’s a children’s room for younger kids as well as a
“Tween Den” outfitted with plasma TVs, movies and Xbox; a 50-foot indoor
swimming pool, a screening room, catering kitchen, private dining room and a
salon. There’s also a gaming room with golf simulators, billiards and ping pong
tables. And soon kids won’t even have to leave the building to go to school—an
expansion of the PS 234 School will be housed on the lower floors.
EAST VILLAGE
Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village
For
families looking for a downtown luxury rental that’s close to Gramercy Park, the Flatiron District and Union Square, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village offer a great sense of community. Set in
a private 80-acre park complete with a host of athletic facilities,
playgrounds, walking and jogging paths, the grounds also serve as the site of
outdoor concerts, movies, holiday celebrations and social events. The buildings
at Stuyvesant Town offer one, two, three and five bedroom
apartments for rent, featuring windowed-chef kitchens with separate dining
areas, ample closet space and custom bathrooms. Its sister property, Peter Cooper Village, offers one, two and three bedroom
rentals with city or park views, large windows and expansive dining areas. Both
have the option of choosing modern or classic appointments. A host of amenities
and services are available at both properties, including a seasonal
greenmarket, concierge service by Abigail Michaels, 24-hour security, a
children’s playroom, state-of-the-art fitness center, lounge, screening room
and study, as well as on-site parking and an on-site Zipcar rental service.
HARLEM
5th
on the Park (1485 Fifth Avenue)
Families can find plenty to love about 5th On the
Park, a high-rise located on Upper Fifth Avenue. The building contains a children’s playroom, community room, two
common outdoor terraces (including one equipped with grills), a 24-hour
attended lobby, an underground parking garage, fitness center and a 55-foot
indoor heated lap pool. “For most of our buyers with families, the indoor
heated swimming pool and kids playroom will be big factors,” said Stephen G.
Kliegerman, Executive Director of Sales. “They also like the fact that they can
get the space of an actual home, while having all the amenities that you can
only get in a luxury condominium.” The building’s 158 units boast
top-of-the-line appliances, including full-size washers and dryers, and afford
residents some stellar views of the city.
At
the intersection of art, nature, and residential living, this Robert A.M.
Stern-designed, 116-unit condominium faces Central Park, and houses
the city’s newest museum construction—the Museum of African Art. With close
proximity to many private schools, the Fifth Avenue bus line, and
an express subway stop, the location is a major draw for families. But what set
1280 Fifth Avenue apart are its
design, amenities, and green features. (Notably, over 20 percent of its
building materials are made from recycled items.) “The sponsor of 1280 did not
ask Stern to stick within the same traditional vocabulary,” says Nancy Packes,
President of Brown Harris Stevens, Project Marketing, referring to the playful
aspects of 1280’s design. In addition to large apartments, the building offers
a garage, heated pool, children’s room and a teen game room. What’s more? “We
have a beautiful lounge, private dining room and catering kitchen; and next to
it is a card and game area. It’s like having another home,” says Packes.
The Gateway Tower (2098 Frederick Douglass Blvd)
Parents looking
to live in West
Harlem will
discover that The Gateway Tower seems particularly designed with families in
mind. Besides a full gym, sauna, patio, community room, and bike storage,
there’s also a large daycare center downstairs. And most of the 88 residences
offer private outdoor space from 500-square-feet and up with spectacular skyline
views. Families can choose from one to five bedroom homes, totaling up to
2600-square-feet. “We have the ability to combine the apartments either
laterally or vertically,” adds Norman Horowitz, Executive Vice President of
Halstead Property, LLC. The units also offer “practical, working kitchens,”
says Horowitz, with stainless steel appliances and maple cabinets. And the
neighborhood is particularly family-friendly. “Morningside Park is a block and a half away, and Central Park is three blocks away.” He adds that
retail options are also fantastic, with plenty of restaurants along FDB, and
four subway lines nearby.
TRIBECA
Families
in search of spacious lofts in family-friendly Tribeca will find something
special in 77 Reade. “This conversion project combines a pre-historic building
with a ground-up new construction,” explains Barrie Mandel, Senior Vice President
with Corcoran Sunshine. An 1852 cast iron warehouse was combined with a brand
new limestone structure, offering 29 two, three and four-bedroom lofts and
duplex and triplex penthouses. “It’s interesting because the buildings have
that personality of being a bit unusual,” says Mandel, adding that the
character is different from each side. “It’s not like you go to the sixth,
seventh or eighth floor and it’s all the same. The two buildings are not
level.” All lofts offer 4-foot, hardwood ash floors and 10- to 14-foot
ceilings, along with expansive, seven-foot windows that let in lots of light.
Some lofts also offer exposed brick, private terraces and fireplaces. Oversized
storage units come with each unit. The building also qualifies for 421a Tax
Abatement, one of the last available in the city. Amenities include a
courtyard, a 2,000-square foot fitness center, two locker rooms, a full-time
concierge and part-time super. Private parking will also become available.
Barclay Tower (10 Barclay Street)
This
luxury, 58-story building offers a great option for families looking for
loft-like apartments but want to rent. The 396 one, two and three-bedroom homes
feature oversized bay or corner windows and offer nine-foot ceilings, as well
as spacious eat-in kitchens with granite countertops and plenty of closet
space. They are also arranged so there are no more than nine homes per floor,
providing an intimate living environment. “We put a lot of attention to detail in this building,” says Steve
Maschi, Vice President of Glenwood Management, Barclay Tower’s developer and management company. The elegant lobby features a grand colonnade,
three-story entrance, French chiseled limestone walls and tranquil seating
areas of Japanese Tamo and Teak. And there’s no shortage of amenities. Families
can take advantage of a 50-foot indoor lap swimming pool, a whirlpool and
outdoor terrace, a spa, full-service gym and yoga room, party room with a
kitchen, dining room and outdoor space, as well as a children’s playroom
featuring hand-painted murals. The neighborhood also has plenty of attractions,
including Battery Park City’s 36 acres of open space.
MIDTOWN WEST
The Dillon (425 West 53rd Street)
This luxury condo offers four distinct
residence types: flats, duplexes, penthouse duplexes and nine three-story
townhouses. About 40 percent of The Dillon’s spaces are larger residences with
three or more bedrooms. The three- to five-bedroom penthouse duplexes feature
private rooftop gardens, while each individual triplex townhouse has a street
entry, parking space and a private backyard. For families, The Dillon boasts a
children’s playroom and a bike storage room; plus, “a lounge with a catering
kitchen that opens to a Garden Plaza, which can be used
for birthday parties and other events,” says Elaine Diratz, Managing Director
at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, which oversees the marketing and sales of
the building. A cutting-edge fitness center, residents’ lounge, private dining
room, and 24-hour attended lobby complete the amenities.
BROOKLYN
This
new condominium building features 65 loft-like two- and three-bedroom homes.
Designed to preserve the character of the DUMBO Landmark Historic District and
19th and early 20th-Century architecture, the building
features a post-industrial aesthetic, with a cobblestone pavement entrance, a
cantilevered penthouse balcony that was inspired by the Manhattan Bridge, and black
frame windows. But the interiors have a modern, European feel, with nice clean
lines, says David Von Spreckelsen, Division President of Toll Brothers City
Living, the developer. He adds, “Some [residences] have duplexes, with high
ceilings and great views of Manhattan and the
bridges.” There are washers and dryers in every unit, and the building also
offers amenities like a fitness center, indoor parking and bike storage. But
what also stands out is the outdoor space. There are adjoining exterior
courtyards, a landscaped reflecting garden, and some homes have backyards or
private rooftop terraces. If families want even more outdoor space, they can
take advantage of Brooklyn Bridge Park along the
waterfront.
QUEENS
The View (4630 Center Boulevard)
With every apartment in this new Long Island City condo
designed to maximize outside light and the spectacular vista of Manhattan
across the East River, it’s no surprise that its developer, TF Cornerstone, called it
The View. The building is literally situated in Gantry Plaza State Park, which means “children can go to a play area without even
crossing the street,” as Scott Walsh, The View’s Director of Sales and Market Research,
puts it. Inside, amenities abound with spacious apartments ranging to up to
three bedrooms, featuring kitchens with Subzero refrigerators, spa chic
bathrooms, and a sophisticated cooling and heating system. Plus, residents have
access to fitness centers, an indoor rooftop swimming pool, party room, and
fully attended garage in an adjacent building.
