Whether they are looking to rent or buy their next home, many city parents prefer new, amenity-rich buildings. And as the city’s most exciting new residences in recent years fill up, new ones are debuting in a variety of neighborhoods. Developers know the score: These days proximity to the city’s best public and private schools, beloved parks and cultural institutions are still priorities, but parents have begun to expect more from the buildings themselves. In the following pages, you’ll discover city properties offering lifestyles that are close to suburban with rooftop terraces with movie screens, private green outdoor spaces, heated swimming pools, catering kitchens, a bowling alley, children’s playroom, and adult fitness centers, all with the convenience of concierge services and the joy of amazing views. What’s not to like?
UPPER WEST SIDE: AIRE (200 West 67th Street) This 45-story rental building is a favorite among local performing artists and music aficionados, with its proximity to Lincoln Center. With families in mind, the building has more three-bedroom apartments than most rental properties, and plenty of amenities, including two sound-proofed music studios, a landscaped garden with a reflecting pool, gym and yoga room, and an outdoor pavilion with a chef’s kitchen for private events. The interiors are also impressive, with floor-to-ceiling windows. “It’s the first time a developer has gone to this level of finishes for a rental property. It exceeds many condos in the city,” says Bob Scaglion, senior managing director of Residential Marketing of Rose Associates. There’s also a children’s playroom with protected outdoor space.
UPPER WEST SIDE: THE ASHLEY (400 West 63rd Street) The 209-unit Ashley is one of those buildings that make it possible to have the best of both worlds—city living with space to breathe and rental apartments that feel like home. “The layouts are unique and the size of the residences is exceptional,” says Clifford Finn, managing director of New Developments, Citi-Habitats, referring to units that go up to three bedrooms and 1,900 square feet. “Each space has fantastic light and presents a connection to one of the parks that surround the building.” Plus, The Ashley sits atop an amenity base that is “not to be rivaled,” says Finn. A 40,000square-foot La Palestra Athletic Club and Spa features a 75-foot indoor pool, a two-lane bowling alley, a two-level rock climbing wall, basketball and squash courts, yoga and Pilates studios, and spa treatment rooms. There’s concierge service by Abigail Michaels, and renters receive complimentary move-in service to coordinate relocation, telephone and cable service and more.
UPPER WEST SIDE: THE CORNER AT 200 WEST (200 West 72nd Street) Located on the Southwest corner of 72nd Street and Broadway, The Corner at 200 West “stands apart from other rental buildings because we’ve paid so much attention to every detail,” says Jeffrey Kaye, vice president of Gotham Developers, the building’s developer in a joint venture with Philips International and Rhodes NY. The 196 luxury homes include spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, each with its own washer/dryer and gourmet kitchen, and in the three-bedrooms, families enjoy recessed personal safes, custom powder rooms, and 36” Liebherr refrigerators. The eco-friendly property features Energy Star appliances, low-e perimeter glass, and plumbing features that promote water conservation. Families will also enjoy the children’s playroom, and a 10,000-square-foot landscaped roof terrace with a misting wall, sundeck, barbeque area and movie projection screen.
UPPER WEST SIDE: 845 WEST END AVENUE (at 101st Street) This classic, pre-war corner building was recently renovated into the ultimate Upper West Side condominium residence. It features spacious apartments in six different layouts, as well as a playroom, fitness center and bike storage. Located at 101st Street, it is equidistant from Central Park and Riverside Park. “This building is really special,” says Iva Spitzer, executive vice president at The Corcoran Group. “It’s a big, big building, a very grand building. The room dimensions are spectacular; the windows are large. Everything about it is big and bold.” 845 West End’s original architects, Schwartz and Gross, were prolific in the 1920s, with a noted eye for detail. “Every single thing—every crown molding, every herringbone oak floor, every thermopane window—is brand new, but in keeping with the tradition of the building,” says Spitzer. Modern updates include central air conditioning, heated marble bathroom floors with Kohler undermount tubs and sinks, in-unit washers and dryers, and Bosch and Liebherr kitchen appliances.
UPPER WEST SIDE: 808 COLUMBUS (808 Columbus Avenue between 97th and 100th Streets) This rental building is one of five residential developments comprising Columbus Square, a new residential community located between 97th and 100th streets and Columbus and Amsterdam avenues. “808 Columbus Avenue offers high-end services that are usually seen in luxury condominiums, not rentals,” said a leasing spokesperson at Columbus Square. “The property features valet parking, an oversized children’s play area, a resident’s lounge with private dining room and a 70-foot salt water swimming pool.” Families can also enjoy two acres of elevated landscaped lawns, a fitness center, and a bicycle/stroller storage room.
UPPER WEST SIDE: 905 WEST END AVENUE (at 104th Street) Situated one block from Riverside Park, this pre-war building features two- to four-bedroom units. Families can choose to have their units renovated or un-renovated, and can also choose a renovation package. The renovated units feature interiors with 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, and Tuscan Botticino floors, and bathrooms with Zuma bathtubs and Waterworks fixtures. The building comes complete with a roof deck for the owners, as well as bike storage, onsite resident managers, a live-in superintendant, laundry room and a 24-hour doorman.
UPPER WEST SIDE: 208 WEST 96TH STREET Families in search of a modern, design-forward building will delight in 208 West 96th Street. Comprised of nine fullfloor three-bedroom homes, this boutique condominium redefines spacious and luxurious living. “When you come in, it feels spacious, airy, and light,” says Simon Shamilzadeh, vice president of Marketing and Sales for Manor Properties Group. In addition to each apartment’s high-end touches like SubZero refrigerators and a central vacuum system, environmentally-conscious families will appreciate the building’s use of recycled materials, and numerous energy-efficient amenities like its motorless elevator. And it’s safe to say that everyone will appreciate a building that’s near one of the Upper West Side’s main commercial and commuter hubs but stills manages to be a special oasis, with a communal rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of Central Park, Upper Manhattan, and the Hudson River.
UPPER WEST SIDE: 235 WEST 71ST STREET This boutique building is 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 1,200-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.
UPPER EAST SIDE: AZURE (333 East 91st Street) This 34-story UES building performs the timely trick of offering luxury at good prices, with apartments that go up to four bedrooms and a wealth of amenities. “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.” Families will appreciate the building’s residents’ lounge, fitness center, 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. Potential buyers have the flexibility of combination homes and customizing their living space.
UPPER EAST SIDE: GEORGICA (305 East 85th Street) Befitting the East Hampton pond it’s named after, this 20-story 58-unit building is just gorgeous. “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, developer of Georgica. “These homes highlight the versatility of the building, which suits many preferences and lifestyles.” The glass-skinned building was designed by Cetra/Ruddy in bronze, champagne and white, and the elegant aesthetic extends to the interiors as well. Building amenities include a children’s playroom, landscaped roof deck with playground, concierge service, a private fitness center and more.
UPPER EAST SIDE: MANHATTAN HOUSE (200 East 66th Street) “Between the building’s amenities and its great location, many 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. This luxury, Gordon Bunshaft-designed and landmarked building is full of inspired amenities, including five-star concierge services, one of Manhattan’s largest private residential gardens and a Roto Studio-designed children’s playroom. Another notable feature is the rooftop Manhattan Club, with panoramic view, expansive terrace, indoor library, and—get this—a spa/yoga studio run by Exhale. The spacious apartments are just as dandy, many featuring expansive closets, fireplaces and private balconies.
UPPER EAST SIDE: MIRAVAL LIVING (515 East 72nd Street) This luxury condo, in collaboration with the high-end destination spa, Miraval Spa and Resort, 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: RIVERHOUSE (2 River Terrace) Think green. This 32-story residential building located on the Battery Park waterfront boasts amazing views of the Hudson River, downtown Manhattan, and Rockefeller Park, and was recently awarded a LEED Gold rating. “There are solar panels around the roof that reduce the amount of electricity the building needs to buy. And fresh air is piped into your apartment 24 hours a day,” says Dan Tubb, director of sales at Corcoran Sunshine Market Group. The eco-friendly units are designed in an open-plan layout, ranging to up to four bedrooms—or more if you want to combine apartments. The Riverhouse features a wide array of amenities, including a 50-foot lap pool, a fitness center with yoga studio, a children’s playroom, a resident lounge, a 3800-square foot terrace, and even a private pet grooming area. There’s also the Media Café, a wet bar with three wall mounted flat screen televisions and a view of Teardrop Park.
BATTERY PARK CITY: THE VISIONAIRE (70 Little West Street) The striking 35-story Visionaire condominium is a LEED Platinum-certified green building featuring natural materials, an advanced fresh air supply system, integrated photo-voltaic solar panels, and sophisticated energy-saving technology. “It uses 67 percent less power on peak demand and 50 percent less water than a typical building of its size,” says Michael Gubbins, vice president and director of residential management at Albanese Development Corporation, the building’s developer. The building boasts a well equipped fitness center and spa, landscaped roof gardens, a sky-lit indoor lap pool and a children’s playroom with a vibrant reef aquarium as well as a social lounge with billiards.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT: LIBERTY PLAZA (10 Liberty Street) This new rental offers 287 apartments with up to three bedrooms. Designed to facilitate comfortable living, each apartment features high ceilings, good natural lighting and plenty of space. Amenities include a 24-hour doorman, fitness center with saunas and a lap pool, a roof deck, a lounge with a kitchen, a laundry facility and a children’s playroom. Located in the increasingly family-friendly Financial District, Liberty Plaza is situated on a block surrounded by Wall Street, Broadway and the East River.
KIPS BAY: WATERSIDE PLAZA (10-40 Waterside Plaza) A group of four residential towers nestled against the East River at 25th Street, this special waterside community 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 for children to 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 amenities, including a playroom and outdoor playground, the Waterside Swim & Health Club, an on-site garage, and Creative Dream parties, a facility that hosts themed birthday parties for kids. A concierge desk helps families plan everything from vacations to music lessons.
MIDTOWN WEST: THE DILLON (425 West 53rd Street) This luxury condo and townhouse building offers four distinct residence types: flats, duplexes, penthouse duplexes and three-story townhouses, and about 40 percent of The Dillon’s spaces are larger apartments with three or more bedrooms, including three- to five-bedroom duplexes and penthouse duplexes with private rooftop gardens. Individual triplex townhouses are also available, each with street entry, parking and a private backyard. For families, The Dillon boasts a children’s playroom and a bike and stroller storage room; plus, “a lounge that can be used for birthday parties and other family events, with a catering kitchen that opens to its own backyard,” says Elaine Diratz, managing director at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, which oversees the marketing and sales of the building. Lush gardens, a cutting edge fitness center, a 24-hour doorman and onsite resident manager complete the amenities.
MIDTOWN WEST: EMERALD GREEN (320 West 38th Street) Consisting of two 24-story towers and 568 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. “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, the building’s developer. There’s no shortage of onsite activities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga room and swimming pool, a circular stone whirlpool spa, a children’s playroom with hand-painted murals, and a screening room with theater-style seating.
CHELSEA: CHELSEA ENCLAVE (177 Ninth Avenue) This new luxury condo really is an enclave: It overlooks the grounds of The General Theological Seminary—a serene stretch of lawns, gardens and trees that residents have access to. “This is such a unique location in the city; I really don’t think there is any place like it,” says Daniel Brodsky, managing partner with The Brodsky Organization, the building’s developer. The 53 residences at the Chelsea Enclave feature everything up to four-bedroom penthouses. A big draw for families is an on-site play space created by apple seeds, the popular children’s activity center near Madi son Square Park. 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 daycare center operated by the seminary are available to Chelsea Enclave residents.
EAST VILLAGE: 311 E. 11: VILLAGE GREEN (311 E. 11th Street) It’s “green living” all around at this boutique condo. The 36 spacious apartments, most of which feature outdoor space, are “shaded by trees, and surrounded by organic stores, eateries, and farmers markets,” says Michael Namer of Alfa Development. And 311 E. 11: Village Green itself is targeted to be the first LEED Gold certified building in the East Village, according to Namer. The features include builtin recycling centers in the kitchen to make recycling easy, bicycle storage, and discount parking for hybrid vehicles at a nearby parking garage. A green roof provides rainwater recovery and natural insulation, and the building utilizes both wind-generated and geothermal energy. Families can also take advantage of a state-of-the-art wellness center.
HARLEM: 1280 FIFTH AVENUE (near 110th Street) 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 sets 1280 Fifth Avenue apart is 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.
HARLEM: 2280 FDB (at Frederick Douglass Boulevard and W. 123rd Street) This luxurious building nestled in the heart of Harlem, just two blocks from Morningside Park and down the hill from Columbia University, offers 89 residences with up to three-bedroom apartments and top-notch amenities like customized furniture, Aster Cucine cabinetry, and super capacity washers and dryers. And in a stunning feat of architectural flexibility, almost every home has a unique layout—after all, “some people like to have their bedroom next to their kids, while others would rather have their bedroom away from their kids,” says Hans Futterman, president of RGS Holdings, the building’s developer. But what really makes the building stand out, he says, is the quality of the finishes. Residents of 2280 FDB will also enjoy 24hour concierge, a massive outdoor recreation space, on-site parking, a lovely rooftop terrace complete with an outdoor fireplace and, by the way, a 25-year tax abatement.
QUEENS: THE VIEW (4630 Center Boulevard, Long Island City) With every apartment in this new LIC condo designed to maximize outside light and the spectacular vista of Manhattan across the East River, it’s no surprise that the its developer, TF Cornerstone, called it The View. But for families looking for a truly nice lifestyle within the city, the close-up view of the building and the surrounding area is even more appealing. For one thing, 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. And inside, the 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 a small fitness center within the building along with automatic access to a large fitness center, indoor rooftop swimming pool, party room, and fully-attended garage in an adjacent building.
BROOKLYN: ONE BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK (360 Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights) This 14-story, 438-unit building, housing everything from spacious loft apartments to townhouses to penthouses, overlooks the East River and is situated within Brooklyn Bridge Park. And then there’s the hood: “Lovely Brooklyn Heights is already well known for being a great family neighbor hood,” says Highlyann Krasnow, executive vice president at The Developers Group. Amenities include a large children’s playroom, a music room, and art room. There also are 550 parking spaces available for sale or lease.
NEW JERSEY :THE MERCURY LOFTS AT THE BEACON (4 Beacon Way, Jersey City) This historic art deco building offers spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and surrounding cityscape, and space galore. The building’s half- and full-floor lofts feature 13-foot ceilings, gourmet kitchens and 2,994 to 6,665 square feet of space. “The size of the residences in the Mercury is particularly appealing,” says George Filopoulos, developer of The Beacon and president of Metrovest Equities, Inc. “What was originally designed for 104 families will now be home to only 25.” What makes this building especially family-friendly is BeKids at the Beacon, a 66,000-square foot children’s destination that will include an early childhood education center, gymnastics and sports camps, a restaurant and much more.
BUILDING DIRECTORY
The Corner at 200 West
200 West 72nd Street; 212-721-1200
200west72.com
235 West 71st Street
235 West 71st Street; 212-588-5606
235w71.com
311 E. 11: Village Green
311 East 11th Street
212-675-5311
311e11.com
5th On The Park
1485 5th Avenue at 120th Street;
212-348-5353
5thonthepark.com
808 Columbus
808 Columbus Avenue
866-644-8813
columbussq.com
845 West End Avenue
845 West End Avenue
212-784-9845
845wea.com
905 West End Avenue
corner of 104th St.
905 West End Avenue; 212-486-4905
905wea.com
1280 Fifth Avenue
212-996-1280
1280fifth.com
2280 FDB
2280 Frederick Douglass Boulevard
and 123rd Street
212-521-5742
2280fdb.com
Aire
200 West 67th Street
212-721-4700
aireny.com
The Ashley
400 West 63rd Street
888-554-0133
theashleynyc.com
The Azure
333 East 91st Street;
212-828-4848
azureny.com
Chelsea Enclave
177 Ninth Avenue
212-647-0077
chelseaenclave.com
The Dillon
425 West 53rd Street
212-586-5300
dillon53.com
Emerald Green
320 West 38th Street
212-695-3838
glenwoodnyc.com
Georgica
305 East 85th Street;
212-988-8511
GeorgicaLife.com
Liberty Plaza
10 Liberty Street
212-430-5900
glenwoodnyc.com
Manhattan House
200 East 66th Street
877-394-6492
manhattanhouse.com
The Mercury Lofts at the Beacon
4 Beacon Way, Jersey City
201-716-3000
thebeaconjc.com
Miraval Living
515 East 72nd Street, 1-877-932-5862
515e72.com
One Brooklyn Bridge Park
360 Furman Street, Brooklyn; 718-
330-0030
onebrooklyn.com
The Riverhouse
2 River Terrace
212-587-1200
the-riverhouse.com
The Visionaire
70 Little West Street
212-425-2550
thevisionaire.com
The View
4630 Center Boulevard (Queens)
877-LIC-7778
livingtheview.com
208 West 96th Street
208 West 96th Street
212-381-2557
208w96.com
