Carter's Review

This elegant and subtle 19-story, mixed-use condominium development at 150 East 23rd Street is known as Celeste Gramercy and has been designed by ODA New York, which is headed by Eren Chan. 

It has 51 units  and was completed in 2019. 

Bill Chang of LKH 23rd LLC is the developer.  He is the owner of WY Industries, a food packaging and condiment manufacturer in New Jersey.  He acquired three low-rise buildings on the site in 2009 for $9.5 million and bought an other parcel in 2015. 

The development adjoins Baruch College to the east, which is across Lexington Avenue from an black 18-story condominium tower at 122 East 23rd Street with a notched corner at 23rd Street designed by Rem Koolhaas.

Bottom Line

An impressive, modern, mid-rise tower near Gramercy Park with a lovely lattice-top, three full-floor penthouses with outdoor spaces, an irregular fenestration pattern and a sophisticated lobby with angular elements having nothing to do with the rectilinearity of the building's exterior.

Description

The building has an impressive lobby with a high ceiling partially fragmented into irregularly sized angular sections whose outlines are traced with soft light.  This treatment is picked up by the long concierge desk which is partially covered with a golden, angular mesh. 

The building's main design statement is its setback, lattice-like top, a perforated, non-projecting cornice that surmounts the bifurcating main façade of the tower containing a rather wild fenestration arrangement. 

These elements hint at movement and are quite masterly, and surprising, in their illogic.

Amenities

The building has a 24-hour attended lobby, an outdoor pool, a gym, a yoga studio, a children's playroom, a bicycle room and a roof deck. The building amenities include a 24-hour attended lobby, bicycle room, a swimming pool, and a private lounge with an oversized sundeck.

Apartments

Apartments have open layouts, ceiling heights of up to 10 feet 6 inches and floor-to-ceiling windows.  They also have 6-inch plant walnut floors, Gaggenau kitchen appliances including a wine cooler and Danby marble countertops and backsplashes. 

Penthouses have fireplaces, and keyed elevator access.

Penthouse A is a three-bedroom unit with 2,382 square feet of interior space and 259 square feet of outdoor space.  It has an entry foyer that leads to a 34-foot-wide living/dining room with an open kitchen with an island and a 26-foot-long terrace.

Apartment 3C is a three-bedroom unit with 1,619 square feet and a 32-foot-long living/dining room with an open kitchen with a breakfast bar.

Apartment 17B is a two-bedroom unit with 1,427 square feet with a 23-foot-wide living/dining room with an open kitchen with an island and a 19-foot-long balcony.

Apartment 9D is a two-bedroom unit with 1,302 square feet and a 30-foot-long living/dining room with an open kitchen with a breakfast bar.

Apartment 7A is a one-bedroom unit with 702 square feet and a 27-foot-long living/dining room with an open kitchen with a breakfast bar.