Residents' rooftop at The Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue
The old adage of the value of real estate as “location, location, location” does not hold the same weight in New York City as it used to. Past no-go zones of previous decades are long gone and neighborhoods that used to be on the edge are now shiny and desirable--think Hudson Yards, Alphabet City, Downtown Brooklyn (the list goes on and on).
So, what really makes the difference for buyers? What adds value to properties? NYC residential developers have been in a “luxury amenities race” for the past two decades, but how can potential buyers really value those amenities? Do buyers want and pay more money for indoor skate parks and golf simulators? Or is it the Jay Wright-designed gyms, common rooftops, and wine cellars that truly sell a home?
So, what really makes the difference for buyers? What adds value to properties? NYC residential developers have been in a “luxury amenities race” for the past two decades, but how can potential buyers really value those amenities? Do buyers want and pay more money for indoor skate parks and golf simulators? Or is it the Jay Wright-designed gyms, common rooftops, and wine cellars that truly sell a home?
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Matthew Messinger, President & Chief Executive Officer at Trinity Place Holdings, described their 90-unit development at 77 Greenwich as, “big enough for some economics of scale so we can offer great amenities and small enough to maintain that boutique feel where the doorman knows your kids’ names (and even your dog’s name)!” Just as Goldman described, Messinger concurs, “More than thinking through the range of prospective buyers, in 2005, many developers went with the ‘kitschy’ amenities like the bowling alley and the rock climbing wall. But now, if you have a dead space, it’s not about gimmicks, it’s about spaces folks will use.”
Messinger believes their prospective residential buyers will not think of the actual value proposition in terms of dollars and cents. “They’re real spaces and they wonder, ‘Can I get to use and integrate these amenities into my life, as a resident and a host.’”
Extell Development has long been a leader of amenities. Their Lower East Side development One Manhattan Square boasts a mega-massive 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor amenities, including NYC’s largest outdoor private garden, tree house with fire pits, putting green, sunken tranquility garden, tea pavilion, herb garden, outdoor kitchen and dining area, stargazing observatory, 75-foot indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, full basketball court, squash court, bowling alley, cigar room, dog spa, and more.
While resident roof decks are increasingly common, some buildings have elevated the experience by placing many—or even all—of their lifestyle amenities on upper floors. This means buyers can purchase a home on a lower level and still enjoy penthouse-level views from the building's high-floor amenities. From sky-high pools and fitness centers to panoramic lounges, these amenities elevate the living experience for all buyers. Below, see our list of the ten best new development condos with the most impressive and beautifully designed collections of amenities on elevated levels.
Ten best new development condos with elevated amenities
VU New York
VU New York offers the best of all worlds with its amenity offerings. The fitness center and lounge are located on an elevated floor to overlook beautiful treetop views. To top it all off is a 36th-story roof terrace with lush greenery, plush furnishings, and unrivaled views of the Manhattan skyline.
VU New York, #11C (Brown Harris Stevens Development Marketing LLC)
77 Greenwich is a 42-story condominium tower primely situated in Lower Manhattan's Greenwich South neighborhood. Designed by FXCollaborative and Deborah Berke Partners, the shimmering glass prism hosts 89 one- to four-bedroom residences beginning on the 15th floor to make the most of spectacular views of New York Harbor.
77 Greenwich Street is home to a collection of amenities that transcend expectations. Located at the pinnacle of the building, Cloud Club 77's offerings include a double-height fitness studio, children’s playroom, lounge with fireplace, and dining room with catering kitchen. An outdoor garden and dog run can be found on the ninth floor, and a rooftop observation deck has lush planters, an outdoor kitchen, grilling stations, and sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.
77 Greenwich Street is home to a collection of amenities that transcend expectations. Located at the pinnacle of the building, Cloud Club 77's offerings include a double-height fitness studio, children’s playroom, lounge with fireplace, and dining room with catering kitchen. An outdoor garden and dog run can be found on the ninth floor, and a rooftop observation deck has lush planters, an outdoor kitchen, grilling stations, and sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.
77 Greenwich Street, #35B
$3,495,000
Financial District | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,487 ft2
77 Greenwich Street, #35B (Reuveni LLC)
No. 33 Park Row (Compass)
No. 33 Park Row is located directly along City Hall Park, and the apartments look out on protected views. This mindset applies to the amenities as well, which include an indoor/outdoor rooftop amenity area with dining room, entertaining lounge, outdoor terrace, and views of City Hall Park and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
No. 33 Park Row, #14A
$5,680,000
Financial District | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,332 ft2
No. 33 Park Row, #14A (Compass)
Eastlight (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
All of Eastlight’s amenities are located on the 34th floor of the building so as to make the most of open skyline and river views as well as incredible natural light. These include a fitness center, a game room, a private dining room, a lounge, and an outdoor terrace.
Eastlight, #21A (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
Rose Hill
At Rose Hill, a beautiful amenity suite spans the entire 37th floor of the building. They include a private dining room, a library lounge with billiards table, and two covered terraces with 360-degree skyline and river views.
Rose Hill, #40A (CORE Group Marketing LLC)
50 West 66th Street (Corcoran Group)
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The tallest building on the Upper West Side has drawn considerable attention for its height and views, which extend to its amenity suite. The 20th floor is set to include a spa, business center, lounge, and terrace with fire pits overlooking Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
50 West 66th Street, #7D
$11,325,000
Central Park West | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 3,889 ft2
50 West 66th Street, #7D (Corcoran Group)
The Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue offers a refined collection of 69 fully furnished pied-à-terres, combining opulent architectural details and modern finishes. Located on iconic Fifth Avenue, residents enjoy access to top-tier luxury shopping, dining, and cultural landmarks.
The restaurant Boulud Prive, by the renowned Daniel Boulud, is within the building, and residents enjoy the option of in-home dining as well as exclusive restaurant access. Resident services include housekeeping, fridge stocking, laundry and dry cleaning, turn-down service, hand-delivered mail and packages, courier service, private butler service, personal chef, sommelier, and bartender service, child and pet care, personal training, and in-residence spa treatments.
In addition to Boulud Prive, amenities at Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue include a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a sauna and steam room, and a spa with treatment rooms and salon. The building has partnered with the nearby Saks Fifth Avenue for a personal shopping partnership that includes event access, after-hours shopping, at-home styling appointments, and same-day delivery.
The restaurant Boulud Prive, by the renowned Daniel Boulud, is within the building, and residents enjoy the option of in-home dining as well as exclusive restaurant access. Resident services include housekeeping, fridge stocking, laundry and dry cleaning, turn-down service, hand-delivered mail and packages, courier service, private butler service, personal chef, sommelier, and bartender service, child and pet care, personal training, and in-residence spa treatments.
In addition to Boulud Prive, amenities at Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue include a rooftop pool, a fitness center, a sauna and steam room, and a spa with treatment rooms and salon. The building has partnered with the nearby Saks Fifth Avenue for a personal shopping partnership that includes event access, after-hours shopping, at-home styling appointments, and same-day delivery.
Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue, #17A
$8,995,000
Midtown East | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,304 ft2
Mandarin Oriental Residences Fifth Avenue, #17A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
255 East 77th Street (Compass)
At 255 East 77th Street, the residential amenities are located on the 15th and 16th stories. A 75-foot lap pool with soaring ceilings and beautiful views is at the heart of it, and additional wellness amenities include a fitness center with yoga room and a spa with steam room and sauna. Social amenities include a children’s playroom, a screening room, and a library with fireplace and access to an outdoor terrace.
255 East 77th Street, #11A (Compass)
15 Hudson Yards
At 15 Hudson Yards, residential amenities are spread across the 50th and 51st floor of the tower to make the most of panoramic city and river views. The 50th floor is dedicated to health and wellness amenities that include a fitness center curated by The Wright Fit, 75-foot lap pool, spa with treatment rooms, and beauty bar for hair and makeup services. The 51st floor’s social amenities include a lounge, a club room with billiards and cards tables, a screening room, and two corner dining rooms with wine storage and tasting rooms.
Fifteen Hudson Yards, #77E (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
One Wall Street (Compass)
One Wall Street’s amenity suite features a two-level space on the 38th and 39th floors of the beautifully converted office building. The Sky Pool and adjacent terrace directly face the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty, and there is also a fitness center on this level. The 39th floor is home to a private dining room and a residents-only restaurant with a private terrace.
One Wall Street, #1707 (One Wall Street Sales LLC)
The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly (Evan Joseph)
The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly, 125 Greenwich Street
At The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly, the three uppermost floors have been dedicated to residential amenities. The 86th story has a screening room, dining room with catering kitchen, and relaxation room overlooking New York Harbor. The 87th story has a 50’ saltwater lap pool and spa area with sauna, and one floor up is a fitness center with weight room and yoga/Pilates studio.
The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly, #67E
$2,950,000
Financial District | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,284 ft2
The Greenwich by Rafael Vinoly, #67E (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
520 Fifth Avenue (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
“We took the most valuable real estate in the project and we gave it to everybody” – Ian Klein, SVP and Head of Development at Rabina, on 520 Fifth Avenue's amenities
The amenities at 520 Fifth Avenue are situated in the tower’s crown, 900 feet above street level, and offer unparalleled vistas of the Manhattan skyline, Central Park, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor. They include a jewel-box solarium, a library with custom painted millwork, a game room with billiards and card tables, a private dining room with botanical wall coverings and city views, and a lounge with fireplace and monumental arched windows.
520 Fifth Avenue, #67A (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Contributing Writer
Michelle Sinclair Colman
Michelle writes children's books and also writes articles about architecture, design and real estate. Those two passions came together in Michelle's first children's book, "Urban Babies Wear Black." Michelle has a Master's degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and a Master's degree in the Cities Program from the London School of Economics.
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