When a building has been in the works for a long time, the architect, amenity package, and neighborhood can build up the hype. But when the interiors don't quite live up to expectations, is it time to look elsewhere? Not always -- a spokesperson for One High Line says that when prospective buyers aren't a fan of the interiors in one tower, they can take them to another to see a different aesthetic by another designer.
In some buildings, one doesn't even need to go out the door to see a variety of interiors. At a time when historic buildings are being combined with new towers -- textbook examples include 222 East Broadway, 100 Vandam Street, and 111 West 57th Street -- the interiors of the different sections are often designed to highlight the contrast between the prewar design and new construction. Finally, some new buildings come with a choice of color palettes for the flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms. Lighter shades play off a home's natural light better, but show stains and nicks more readily. Darker palettes hide flaws better while creating a richer atmosphere.
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In any instance, varied palettes and interiors show all the possibilities of a building and greater character than carbon-copied, white-box homes in every unit. When searching early enough, buyers have a better chance of securing exactly the finishes they want (more tips on buying in new construction condos here). But as time passes and the building sells, it can be harder to guarantee that units in the preferred layout with the preferred finishes will be available. Below, we look at buildings and developments throughout New York where buyers can see a wide range of interior styles while barely leaving the building.
20 River Terrace
Design by Pelli Clarke Pelli
Original Solaire Collection interiors by Pelli Clarke Pelli
COOKFOX Collection interiors by COOKFOX
12 availabilities from $740K
Design by Pelli Clarke Pelli
Original Solaire Collection interiors by Pelli Clarke Pelli
COOKFOX Collection interiors by COOKFOX
12 availabilities from $740K
Amidst The Solaire's conversion from a rental to sales building, the apartments inside were spruced up in two different styles. The Original Solaire Collection is rich in natural materials throughout, the better to play up the sustainable features that put the building on the map. The COOKFOX Collection offers a sleeker atmosphere, kitchens with fully integrated appliances, and higher-end materials throughout.
The Solaire, #16J (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
The Solaire, #4L (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
500 West 18th Street
Design by Bjarke Ingels Group
East Tower interiors by Gilles & Boissier
West Tower interiors by Gabellini Sheppard
40 availabilities from $2.265M
Design by Bjarke Ingels Group
East Tower interiors by Gilles & Boissier
West Tower interiors by Gabellini Sheppard
40 availabilities from $2.265M
The twisting towers of One High Line make a dramatic statement in the ever-changing, ever-crowded West Chelsea skyline, and the apartments inside live up to it with spectacular views and well-thought design. The East Tower's interiors by Gilles & Boissier offer a sleek, modern atmosphere, while the West Tower's apartments by Gabellini Sheppard emphasize natural materials in concert with the water views.
One High Line, #EAST14B (Corcoran Group)
One High Line, #WEST19A (Corcoran Group)
Gramercy Square
215-230 East 19th Street
Design and interiors by Woods Bagot
The Tower: 8 availabilities from $1.195M
The Prewar: 2 availabilities from $1.575M
The Boutique: 2 availabilities from $5.91M
The Modern: No current availabilites
Design and interiors by Woods Bagot
The Tower: 8 availabilities from $1.195M
The Prewar: 2 availabilities from $1.575M
The Boutique: 2 availabilities from $5.91M
The Modern: No current availabilites
One block south of Gramercy Park, the former Cabrini Medical Center has been converted to luxury housing with a private garden of its own and distinct interior styles among the four buildings. The Tower offers the highest ceilings, the largest windows, and the most flexible layouts. As their names would indicate, The Prewar offers the most traditional layouts, while The Modern offers the most contemporary finishes. Rounding it all out is The Boutique, which features a warm palette throughout the expansive layouts.
The Prewar at Gramercy Square, #302
$1,575,000
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 819 ft2
The Prewar at Gramercy Square, #302 (Serhant LLC)
The Tower at Gramercy Square, #8D
$3,470,000 (-14.5%)
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,834 ft2
The Tower at Gramercy Square, #8D (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
The Boutique at Gramercy Square, #4
$6,750,000 (-5.9%)
Gramercy Park | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,377 ft2
The Boutique at Gramercy Square, #4 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Design by SHoP Architects
Interiors by Studio Sofield
10 availabilities from $8.495M
Interiors by Studio Sofield
10 availabilities from $8.495M
111 West 57th Street comprises the landmarked Steinway Hall and the most slender tower in the city, and the apartments inside reflect the different aesthetics of each building. The Landmark Residences in the refurbished Steinway Hall are reminiscent of the prewar era with such features as formal foyers, coved walls, panel doors, and traditional layouts. The Tower Residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows, direct elevator entry, and richly detailed finishes.
111 West 57th Street, #12N (Corcoran Group)
111 West 57th Street, #25 (Corcoran Group)
Waterline Square, Riverside Drive/West End Avenue
One Waterline Square: Design by Richard Meier & Associates
Interiors by Champalimaud
1 availability for rent for $22,000/month
Two Waterline Square: Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
Interiors by Yabu Pushelberg
2 availabilities from $2.495M
Three Waterline Square: Design by Rafael Vinoly
Interiors by Groves & Co.
7 availabilities for rent from $6,098/month
Interiors by Champalimaud
1 availability for rent for $22,000/month
Two Waterline Square: Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
Interiors by Yabu Pushelberg
2 availabilities from $2.495M
Three Waterline Square: Design by Rafael Vinoly
Interiors by Groves & Co.
7 availabilities for rent from $6,098/month
The three towers of the Waterline Square development have transformed the Far West Side skyline and luxury market, and they feature their own distinctive interiors. One Waterline Square's interiors confer an air of quiet luxury. Two Waterline Square's interiors are defined by organic materials to create a serene atmosphere, the better to enjoy water views. Finally, Three Waterline Square's interiors offer a modern aesthetic.
One Waterline Square, #31F
$22,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 1,824 ft2
One Waterline Square, #31F (Nest Seekers LLC)
Two Waterline Square, #28D
$2,495,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1.5 Baths | 944 ft2
Two Waterline Square, #28D (Compass)
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From the Listing: Three Waterline #801 is a southeast-facing two-bedroom, two-bathroom. The entry foyer leads to the living and dining room featuring an open kitchen including a waterfall island, wine refrigerator, fully-vented range hood, waste disposal, and an appliance package designed by Bosch. The residence features a vented washer/dryer, making it a truly unique and elevated offering. See floor plan and full details here.
Beckford House and Tower, Yorkville
301 East 80th Street and 301 East 81st Street
Design and interiors by Studio Sofield
Beckford House: 1 availability for $5.15M
Beckford Tower: 3 availabilities from $3.35M
Design and interiors by Studio Sofield
Beckford House: 1 availability for $5.15M
Beckford Tower: 3 availabilities from $3.35M
The Upper East Side is in the midst of a residential building boom, and the Beckford House and Tower complex was an early testament to the newfound luxury market on Second Avenue. Beckford Tower, the taller of the two, offers ceilings up to 13 feet high, rift-sawn oak flooring, and stunning, separate kitchens by Christopher Peacock. At the opposite end of the block, Beckford House features herringbone floors, generous ceiling heights, and custom millwork in every unit.
Beckford House, #8A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Beckford Tower, #12B (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Design by Studio Gang
Interiors by Michaelis Boyd Associates
17 availabilities from $775K
Interiors by Michaelis Boyd Associates
17 availabilities from $775K
In an increasingly crowded Downtown Brooklyn skyline, 11 Hoyt Street stands out for its scalloped facade that creates a rippling effect as light hits it throughout the day. The apartments inside present a choice of finishes: The Classic palette offers a bright, contemporary feel, the better to make the most of the abundant natural light that comes in from the distinctive windows. The Heritage palette features darker hues and a more sophisticated atmosphere.
11 Hoyt, #46K (Corcoran Group)
11 Hoyt, #41G (Corcoran Group)
138 Willoughby Street
Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
Interiors by Katherine Newman Design
10 availabilities from $1.293M
Design by Kohn Pedersen Fox
Interiors by Katherine Newman Design
10 availabilities from $1.293M
Brooklyn Point has been outstripped as the tallest building in the borough, but the luxury condominium above the City Point development still stands out for how it brought a new standard of luxury living to Brooklyn, between over 40,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor amenities and well-appointed condominiums featuring open layouts, top-of-the-line appliances, and "the Extell choice" of a light or dark palette for kitchen cabinetry and white oak flooring. The light palette has the advantage of making the most of abundant natural light, while the dark palette makes for a sophisticated atmosphere.
Brooklyn Point, #41H (Serhant LLC)
Brooklyn Point, #48B (Serhant LLC)
555 Tenth Avenue
Design by SLCE Architects
Interiors by McGinley Design Interiors
6 availabilities from $4,550/month
Design by SLCE Architects
Interiors by McGinley Design Interiors
6 availabilities from $4,550/month
The far west reaches of Midtown used to be considered no-go industrial areas, but the past few years have seen a spate of soaring rental towers with ever-more fabulous amenities and luxe interiors in the apartments. 555TEN allows renters the choice of a light or dark color scheme for the floors, kitchen cabinetry, and bath vanities. Whatever they ultimately decide, residents are guaranteed to enjoy rich wood flooring, stainless steel appliances (which, FYI, would look especially good in the light setting), in-unit washer/dryer, and sweeping city views.
555Ten, #16L (Extell Marketing Group LLC)
555Ten, #23F (Extell Marketing Group LLC)
123 Linden Boulevard
Design by HillWest
Interiors by Whitehall
11 availabilities from $2,525/month
Design by HillWest
Interiors by Whitehall
11 availabilities from $2,525/month
Luxury rentals have become the norm in the areas of Brooklyn with the easiest access to Manhattan, but PLG was the first to bring a towering structure, extensive high-end amenities, and luxurious interiors to Prospect Lefferts Gardens. It is important to note that while residents get a choice of color palettes for the apartment finishes, everyone gets the same Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, not to mention the same in-unit laundry and access to over 50,000 square feet of amenities.
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?