Images via Corcoran Sunshine and DDG
Driven by impressive transactions, including the triplex penthouse featured in HBO hit Succession, the dramatic condo tower at 180 East 88th Street has achieved an equally impressive $200 million in sales. The building has signed seven contracts in just seven weeks this year, leading Upper East Side sales. Developed and designed by Joe McMillan's DDG, it boasts unique features like a Danish brick façade, Austrian white oak flooring, custom Italian cabinetry, and a lobby installation by Jan Hooss. As the building nears sellout at over 70% sold, we take a look at the history of this tower and its limited availabilities, including the last duplex homes in this architectural marvel.
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The $70 Million Development Site
In 2014, DDG acquired the L-shaped site from Muss Development for approximately $70 million. Spreading 15,354 square feet, the site fronts Third Avenue and wraps around East 88th Street. The project entailed the demolition of three walk-up buildings at 1550, 1552, and 1554 Third Avenue, along with the acquisition of additional air rights from nearby properties, allowing the tower to reach its present impressive scale
Ephram Lustgarten, Pamela Liebman, Joseph McMillan (Photo Credit: Sean Zanni for Patrick McMullan)
The Controversial 4-Foot Zoning Lot
DDG broke ground on the project in April 2015, but a year later ran into trouble after community groups complained about an unusual aspect of the site's zoning: The developer had carved out a separate, 4-foot by 22-foot lot along East 88th Street that allowed it to add additional square footage to the tower portion instead of within lower floors under a height of 150. The change, which was ultimately approved by the city, allowed the developer to skirt requirements for buildings abutting the street, which in turn allowed DDG to build its planned tower a full 60 feet higher, opponents charge. The developer filed papers with the city to create the new four-foot-wide property between the building and the side street, known as Tax Lot 138. So, while the tower takes its address from 88th Street, because of the tiny lot, the main entrance is around the corner on Third Avenue.
593,987 Handset Kolumba Bricks
The facade of 180E88 sports a fine-grained facade of approximately 600,000 handset Kolumba bricks imported from Denmark. Similar in dimension to Roman bricks, Kolumba bricks are longer and thinner than standard ones, giving the building a more tactile and seasoned appearance to passersby. Additionally, the building's northern elevation has herringbone-patterned brickwork, while rusticated quoins and piers add a timeless quality that further aligns with the architectural character of the Upper East Side.
47 Gracious Residences
Homes feature pre-war-inspired detailing, including a formal elliptical entry gallery with coved ceilings, custom plaster wainscoting, and 7.5-inch wide Austrian White Oak flooring in a herringbone pattern. Designed with art collectors in mind, rooms are equipped with picture rails suspended just below the ceiling. Some residences also offer the luxury of a balcony or terrace.Formal dining rooms lead to custom-designed windowed kitchens fitted with white lacquered cabinetry by Molteni & C Dada. Most kitchens feature a central island, a separate breakfast nook, and Statuario marble countertops, complemented by a full suite of Gaggenau appliances and brass fixtures by Fantini. Brass accents abound, from kitchen faucets to towel racks and even in the range hoods, which boast long, segmented shapes reminiscent of Japanese lanterns.
Primary bedrooms often have double exposures and a dressing room. En-suite baths feature radiant heat flooring, silver travertine slabs, mosaic-tile accented walls and flooring, oak cabinetry featuring undermount Duravit sinks, and a honed Bianco Grigio marble countertop. Baths are also fitted with rain showers and cove lighting, elegantly complemented by Fantini fixtures in natural brass.
6 Public Availabilities
180 East 88th Street, #20A
$3,360,000 (-6.3%)
Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,415 ft2
180 East 88th Street, #20A (Corcoran Group)
180 East 88th Street, #28A
$3,495,000 (-14.8%)
Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,422 ft2
180 East 88th Street, #28A (Corcoran Group)
180 East 88th Street, #46
$14,950,000 (-10.7%)
Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,017 ft2
180 East 88th Street, #46 (Corcoran Group)
180 East 88th Street, #44
$14,850,000
Carnegie Hill | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 4,017 ft2
180 East 88th Street, #44 (Corcoran Group)
Superflous ceiling heights nearly 30' tall
Ceiling heights stretch up to 14' -2" in simplexes and 28' -8" in duplexes --some of the loftiest heights for new construction in the city. This also explains how a 32-floor building could stretch over 500 feet tall. It appears the additional expense of requiring multiple sheetrock panels for the walls, more bolts, bricks, and structure has paid off, as only one of the building's voluminous duplexes is unspoken for. In March 2016, power broker Vickey Barron told The New York Times, "Buying a home is an emotional thing, and that wow factor a high ceiling provides is something you can't replace."9-Foot-Tall Italian Tilt-Turn Windows
Punched within the tower's masonry facade are enormous nine-foot-tall tilt-turn windows, crafted in Italy by Alberini Italian Windows and Doors. The oversized panes sit within aluminum frames with a soft bronze finish, enhancing the building's design with an extra touch of flair.1 Penthouse featured in Succession
On the last season of Emmy Award-winning television drama Succession, one of the most-discussed episodes began with a scene in a triplex penthouse at the top of 180 East 88th Street. The soaring ceilings, arched windows, minimalist finishes, and sweeping city views were on full display, and a closer look into the listing showed that it has a large custom kitchen, a primary suite with gas fireplace and generous dressing room, a private elevator connecting all three levels, and a combined 3,500 square feet of private terraces, including a roof deck. The penthouse entered contract a few months after the episode aired and ultimately closed for $24,700,000.
21 Arches
The tower's design is highlighted by 21 towering concrete arches that ring the sky garden/mechanical floor at the 13th and 14th levels and reappear around a breathtaking duplex penthouse, providing the residence with romantic open loggias. These wishbone-shaped arches, also found at ground level and within the lobby, draw inspiration from the eclectic designs of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. The arches are constructed and finished in concrete, instead of brick, giving the building a somewhat disjointed yet unforgettable appearance.360° Views
The building's impressive height offers unobstructed views for most mid- and upper-level apartments. To the west, residents can enjoy vistas of Central Park, the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, and the picturesque spires of the Upper West Side. To the east, there are views of the East River, Astoria, the RFK Triboro Bridge, and the Hell's Gate Bridge. Looking south is an impressive view of the towering skyscrapers of Midtown and Billionaires' Row, and to the north, the view extends to include the George Washington Bridge, the Palisades, Yankee Stadium, and the city blending into the green expanse of Westchester County.Eight Floors of Amenities
Bells and whistles to pamper residents include a 24-hour attended lobby and concierge services, a partial indoor basketball court and indoor soccer pitch with double-height ceilings, a fitness studio with a private yoga studio, a game/teen room, a residents' lounge with catering kitchen, and an interactive children's playroom designed in partnership with the Children's Museum of the Arts. Additionally, wine storage, residential storage, and bike storage are available for purchase.Two Convenient Subway Lines
Located two blocks north of the hustle and bustle of 86th Street, the building offers residents a peaceful retreat while maintaining easy access to transportation. Within a short walk is the Lexington Avenue Line's 86th Street station serving the express 4 and 5 trains, as well as the local 6 train. To the southeast lies the 86th Street stop on the Second Avenue Subway, providing a one-seat ride to the west side through its extension of the Q line. Additionally, the building is close to several bus routes, including the crosstown M86 select bus service. Lastly, NYC Ferry's East 90th Street Landing offers one-seat service to Astoria, Midtown, Roosevelt Island, LIC, and Wall Street.Two Great Parks
Unlike much of the Upper East Side, 180 East 88th Street benefits from being nestled between two beloved parks. The tower is just four short avenues east of Central Park and four long avenues west of Carl Schurz Park, a serene six-block oasis perched above the East River. Additionally, residents can enjoy convenient access to nearby recreational facilities such as the 92nd Street Y and Asphalt Green.
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