There is little question that Central Park is one of the most famous parks in the world, and it shows in the price of homes overlooking it. The highest-priced sale of 2024 was for a duplex penthouse directly overlooking Central Park; apartments facing “New York’s backyard” accounted for all of Manhattan’s top sales in the last week of June 2024; and such homes frequently rank among the city's highest-priced sales and contracts.
While Central Park receives the most attention and commands the highest prices, there are over 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities across the city for residents to enjoy. As property values around Central Park continue to soar, attention is shifting to other tranquil spaces, where high-end condo developments have emerged as powerhouses in their own right.
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Summer 2024 marked the 15-year anniversary of the opening of The High Line, an abandoned railway turned elevated park that took New York by storm and inspired similar adaptive reuse projects in cities all over the world. During that time, it has welcomed public art installations, hosted dance parties, connected to Hudson Yards amidst the new development’s construction, and expanded to connect to Moynihan Train Hall.
It has also breathed new life into a stretch of Manhattan that was previously best known for its art galleries. New condos by high-profile architects took shape to make the most of views of the High Line, and they command similarly headline-generating prices.
It has also breathed new life into a stretch of Manhattan that was previously best known for its art galleries. New condos by high-profile architects took shape to make the most of views of the High Line, and they command similarly headline-generating prices.
The West Chelsea skyline has seen some imaginative new structures take shape around the High Line, but none so tall and striking as the two-towered, full-block, Bjarke Ingels-designed One High Line. The taller West Tower is closer to the Hudson River, entirely residential, and features interiors by Gabellini Sheppard. In the East Tower, which is closer to the High Line, the apartments start on top of Faena New York hotel rooms and feature interiors by Gilles et Boissier.
Residential amenities include state-of-the-art fitness centers in each tower, an indoor pool, steam rooms and saunas, a private dining room with catering kitchen, and a double-height, glass-enclosed lounge in the bridge connecting both buildings. Moreover, when Faena New York opens early next year, residents will enjoy two memberships to exclusive members’ club Faena Rose as well as access to Tierra Santa Healing House (the hotel’s 17,000-square-foot spa) and a restaurant by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann.
Residential amenities include state-of-the-art fitness centers in each tower, an indoor pool, steam rooms and saunas, a private dining room with catering kitchen, and a double-height, glass-enclosed lounge in the bridge connecting both buildings. Moreover, when Faena New York opens early next year, residents will enjoy two memberships to exclusive members’ club Faena Rose as well as access to Tierra Santa Healing House (the hotel’s 17,000-square-foot spa) and a restaurant by celebrity chef Francis Mallmann.
One High Line, #EAST20E (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
Notable listings with views of the High Line
Vesta 24, #PH2 (Corcoran Group)
Park House Chelsea, #PHW
$8,950,000 (-5.7%)
Chelsea | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,005 ft2
Park House Chelsea, #PHW (Compass)
Lantern House, #802 (OFFICIAL)
The Yorkville building boomlet touts its proximity to Central Park, but there is more green space to the east that enjoys an extra perk of East River views. Originally used as farmland by New York’s earliest Dutch settlers in the seventeenth century, shipping magnate Archibald Gracie bought the land dubbed “Hell Gate” (taken from the Dutch for “bright passage”) in 1799 and built the mansion that bears his name today. Centuries later in 1910, by which time a sizable German population had settled in Yorkville, it was renamed in honor of Civil War general/Secretary of the Interior/publisher Carl Schurz.
In the wake of the construction of FDR Drive in the 1930s, Carl Schurz Park underwent a redesign with a new esplanade. The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy was founded in the 1970s to maintain and preserve the park. In the present day, features like the playground, the Peter Pan statue, two dog runs, and basketball and pickleball courts give it the atmosphere of Yorkville residents’ backyard.
In the wake of the construction of FDR Drive in the 1930s, Carl Schurz Park underwent a redesign with a new esplanade. The Carl Schurz Park Conservancy was founded in the 1970s to maintain and preserve the park. In the present day, features like the playground, the Peter Pan statue, two dog runs, and basketball and pickleball courts give it the atmosphere of Yorkville residents’ backyard.
Between the opening of the Second Avenue subway and a rumor that the Obamas were moving to the area, East End Avenue has experienced a new appreciation in recent years. Directly across from Carl Schurz Park, the Peter Marino-designed 170 East End Avenue brings a modern sensibility to this stretch with its two-tower design, concrete facade, and oversized, deeply inset windows.
All units feature generous proportions, abundant natural light, and high-end finishes and appliances throughout. Select residences have fireplaces and/or private balconies, and all residents have access to amenities like concierge service, a full-service garage, a health club, a screening room, a billiards room, and a children’s playroom.
All units feature generous proportions, abundant natural light, and high-end finishes and appliances throughout. Select residences have fireplaces and/or private balconies, and all residents have access to amenities like concierge service, a full-service garage, a health club, a screening room, a billiards room, and a children’s playroom.
170 East End Avenue, #14A
$8,745,000 (-10.8%)
Yorkville | Condominium | 5 Bedrooms, 5.5 Baths | 3,611 ft2
170 East End Avenue, #14A (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Other notable listings with views of Carl Schurz Park
2 East End Avenue, #PHG (Christies International Real Estate Group LLC)
10 Gracie Square, #8D (Corcoran Group)
40 East End Avenue, #PH15
$11,950,000 (-7.6%)
Yorkville | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 3,645 ft2
40 East End Avenue, #PH15 (Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group)
The 526-acre Prospect Park is widely considered Brooklyn’s answer to Central Park, and was designed by the same team of Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux. The Prospect Park Zoo reopened over Memorial Day weekend after being closed for repairs related to Tropical Storm Ophelia; the LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers ice skating, curling, and hockey in winter as well as roller skating, biking, and boating in summer; and that’s not to mention the sports courts, dog runs, playgrounds, and extensive green space throughout the rest of the park all year round.
By virtue of the Park Slope Historic District, much of Prospect Park West looks like it did when the park first opened. However, other stretches of the neighborhood have welcomed new development.
By virtue of the Park Slope Historic District, much of Prospect Park West looks like it did when the park first opened. However, other stretches of the neighborhood have welcomed new development.
One Park Point is a new rental building located down the street from Prospect Park, close to the lake and sports fields; with Greenwood Cemetery on the other side, it is fairly surrounded by greenery and offers the atmosphere of a peaceful oasis in a bustling metropolis. However, the Fort Hamilton Parkway F/G trains allow for easy access to the rest of the city.
All interiors feature expansive park and/or skyline views, oversized windows, white oak flooring, kitchens with custom cabinetry, walk-in closets, and in-unit washer/dryers. Amenities include a landscaped inner courtyard, a furnished roof deck with 360-degree views, a fully equipped fitness center with adjacent yoga room, coworking spaces, a residents' lounge, a children's playroom, bike storage, and on-site parking.
All interiors feature expansive park and/or skyline views, oversized windows, white oak flooring, kitchens with custom cabinetry, walk-in closets, and in-unit washer/dryers. Amenities include a landscaped inner courtyard, a furnished roof deck with 360-degree views, a fully equipped fitness center with adjacent yoga room, coworking spaces, a residents' lounge, a children's playroom, bike storage, and on-site parking.
108 Prospect Park West, #4 (Compass)
Other notable listings with views of Prospect Park
102 Prospect Park West, #1 (MANTUS REAL ESTATE)
50 Plaza Street East, #9A (Compass)
Playing a key role in New York civic life for centuries, City Hall Park is an eight-acre respite home to the seat of city government in addition to more than a dozen monuments. Following a $34.6 million upgrade undertaken by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani in 1999, where he touted the renovation as “a final gift from the 20th century to New Yorkers of the 21st,” the residential population of the Financial District surged from 23,000 recorded in the 2000 Census to 61,000 residents in 2018. Some of its majestic commercial buildings ringing the park, such as the Morse Building, Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building, and Park Row Tower have been converted to apartments and more recently, a new crop of towers has joined these cherished gems.
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With front-and-center views of City Hall Park, 49 Chambers Street is a 99-unit condo conversion of the 1912 Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank. Designed by Raymond F. Almirall in the Beaux-Arts style, the 15-floor structure has an elaborate limestone facade, sumptuous bay windows, and a beautiful roofline. The nearly-finished condos inside were refined by Gabellini Sheppard Associates have large kitchen island wrapped in honed San Marino marble, cypress cabinetry, and Corian sinks and primary bathrooms have bathtubs of honed Ariel white marble with Apaiser stone double vanities and radiant heated floors.
Common amenities include 24-hour concierge service, a landscaped rooftop park framed with limestone balustrades, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a children’s playroom, yoga/dance studio, virtual golf room, screening room, double-height residents’ lounge, a Hamman and spa, fitness center, steam room, pool, storage and bicycle storage.
Common amenities include 24-hour concierge service, a landscaped rooftop park framed with limestone balustrades, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, a children’s playroom, yoga/dance studio, virtual golf room, screening room, double-height residents’ lounge, a Hamman and spa, fitness center, steam room, pool, storage and bicycle storage.
49 Chambers Street, #11D (Compass)
Other notable listings with views of City Hall Park
The Woolworth Tower Residences, #41A
$8,295,000
Tribeca | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,282 ft2
The Woolworth Tower Residences, #41A (Serhant LLC)
No. 33 Park Row, #10A
$5,500,000
Financial District | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 2,332 ft2
No. 33 Park Row, #10A (Compass)
The Beekman Residences, #38AB
$6,995,000
Financial District | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths | 3,196 ft2
The Beekman Residences, #38AB (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
25 Park Row, #PH45A (Compass)
Stretching 1.3 miles around the Brooklyn Heights/DUMBO waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers panoramic views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the New York harbor. Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the park features a promenade of six diversely-programmed piers offering barbecuing areas, bocce courts, soccer fields, basketball courts, kayaking, volleyball courts, passive lawns, and much more. The continuous promenade was made even more so in December 2021, when Emily Warren Roebling Plaza opened to connect the northern DUMBO portion of the park with southern piers that stretch towards Atlantic Avenue.
The park is unique to the city in that it is required to be economically self-sufficient. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raises funds from commercial and residential development within its grounds. These include record-breaking condos One Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 John Street, and Quay Tower.
The park is unique to the city in that it is required to be economically self-sufficient. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy raises funds from commercial and residential development within its grounds. These include record-breaking condos One Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 John Street, and Quay Tower.
Originally built as a Jehovah's Witnesses printing warehouse in 1920, One Brooklyn Bridge Park at 360 Furman Street is condominium conversion finished in 2008. Its nearly 450 residences, which range from studios to three bedrooms, have kitchens with Bosch ovens and Sub-Zero refrigerators. Bathrooms feature Porcher double vanities and standalone tubs.
Amenities in the building include a fitness center, Peloton bike room, three satellite cardio rooms, a billiards room, children's playroom, art room, movie screening room, music room with baby grand piano, two video game lounges, yoga room, dance studio, virtual golf simulator, video game lounge, two conference rooms and two landscaped courtyards. There is on-site dry cleaning/laundry service, cold storage, bicycle storage, and an on-site parking garage for 500 cars.
Amenities in the building include a fitness center, Peloton bike room, three satellite cardio rooms, a billiards room, children's playroom, art room, movie screening room, music room with baby grand piano, two video game lounges, yoga room, dance studio, virtual golf simulator, video game lounge, two conference rooms and two landscaped courtyards. There is on-site dry cleaning/laundry service, cold storage, bicycle storage, and an on-site parking garage for 500 cars.
One Brooklyn Bridge Park, #534
$1,300,000
Brooklyn Heights | Condominium | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 1,080 ft2
One Brooklyn Bridge Park, #534 (Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales LLC)
Other notable listings with views of Brooklyn Bridge Park
The Riverview, #PH (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, #N818
$4,200,000
Brooklyn Heights | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 1,954 ft2
Pierhouse at Brooklyn Bridge Park, #N818 (Compass)
Quay Tower, #23C (Serhant LLC)
Riverside Park South, the link between Hudson River Park and Riverside Park, is a stretch of waterfront recreational space and native ecosystems between West 59th and 71st Street. The 32-acre park, designed by Thomas Balsley & Associates, partly replaces the New York Central Railroad’s 60th Street railyard and fronts the Trump Place/Riverside South and Waterline Square master plans. The project has long been in the works, but Phase 6, the final stage of construction is currently underway.
When Phase 6 is completed, it will bring a multi-use athletic field, basketball courts, new entry points at West 62nd and 64th Streets, and improvements to the West 59th Street entrance. Additional features include the 900-foot-long Pier I with its namesake cafe at its foot, basketball and handball courts, volleyball courts, baseball/soccer fields, a dog run, and a playground.
When Phase 6 is completed, it will bring a multi-use athletic field, basketball courts, new entry points at West 62nd and 64th Streets, and improvements to the West 59th Street entrance. Additional features include the 900-foot-long Pier I with its namesake cafe at its foot, basketball and handball courts, volleyball courts, baseball/soccer fields, a dog run, and a playground.
Collectively, Waterline Square is the largest residential offering to come to the Upper West Side in recent years. Comprised of a mix of condos and rentals in three distinctive buildings, the for-sale homes are all perched at or above the 20th floor and come in one- to five-bedroom layouts.
Each tower, One Waterline Square, Two Waterline Square, and Three Waterline Square, is designed by its own high-profile architect and interior designer that offer their individual takes of luxurious city living. All homes are finished in a rich selection of hand-picked materials and feature custom kitchens, marble baths, over-sized windows, and breathtaking views.
While each of the three towers offers exclusive amenity space, all residents have access to the 100,000-square-foot Waterline Club. Bells and whistles include an indoor tennis court, two swimming pools, a soccer field, an indoor skate park, art studios, and music rooms...to name but a few! The new development is also home to Harry's Table by Cipriani, the hospitality magnate's first-ever food hall.
Each tower, One Waterline Square, Two Waterline Square, and Three Waterline Square, is designed by its own high-profile architect and interior designer that offer their individual takes of luxurious city living. All homes are finished in a rich selection of hand-picked materials and feature custom kitchens, marble baths, over-sized windows, and breathtaking views.
While each of the three towers offers exclusive amenity space, all residents have access to the 100,000-square-foot Waterline Club. Bells and whistles include an indoor tennis court, two swimming pools, a soccer field, an indoor skate park, art studios, and music rooms...to name but a few! The new development is also home to Harry's Table by Cipriani, the hospitality magnate's first-ever food hall.
The Rushmore, #6C
$2,700,000 (-14.3%)
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 3 Baths | 1,770 ft2
The Rushmore, #6C (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Other notable listings with views of Riverside Park South
The Aldyn, #PH3601
$6,850,000
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths | 2,930 ft2
The Aldyn, #PH3601 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
Avery, #9K (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
220 Riverside Boulevard, #15M
$2,399,000 (-7.7%)
Riverside Dr./West End Ave. | Condominium | 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,456 ft2
220 Riverside Boulevard, #15M (Blu Realty Group)
A dedication ceremony for Sara D. Roosevelt Park was held on September 14, 1934, where Harry H. Schlacht, the founder of East Side Home News announced that this day was to be the day of “the birth of the new Lower East Side.” The park sits on land acquired by the city in 1929 and original plans were to widen Chrystie and Forsyth streets, and to also construct new low-cost housing in between. The latter plans were set aside for a new park and when it opened, it had seven distinct play areas (some separate for boys and girls), two wading pools and a roller skating rink.
The park is named for Sara Delano Roosevelt (1854-1941), the mother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), who was known for her philanthropic work. At the dedication ceremony, performances and a cannon solute paid tribute to the patriotism and ethnic diversity of the largely immigrant neighborhood. In 1996, a $2.7 million capital project raised a portion of the previously sunken park to street level and added a new playground, basketball courts, and sidewalks.
Sara D. Roosevelt has experienced disrepair in recent years. But at the end of December 2022, Governor Hochul announced that as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, $3 million would be allocated to renovate sections of the park with new seating and greenery between Forsyth and Chrystie Streets. Meanwhile, developers remain optimistic – witness the line of boutique condos with private terraces overlooking the treetop views.
The park is named for Sara Delano Roosevelt (1854-1941), the mother of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), who was known for her philanthropic work. At the dedication ceremony, performances and a cannon solute paid tribute to the patriotism and ethnic diversity of the largely immigrant neighborhood. In 1996, a $2.7 million capital project raised a portion of the previously sunken park to street level and added a new playground, basketball courts, and sidewalks.
Sara D. Roosevelt has experienced disrepair in recent years. But at the end of December 2022, Governor Hochul announced that as part of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, $3 million would be allocated to renovate sections of the park with new seating and greenery between Forsyth and Chrystie Streets. Meanwhile, developers remain optimistic – witness the line of boutique condos with private terraces overlooking the treetop views.
Across the street from Sara D. Roosevelt Park, the ODA-designed 175 Chrystie Street brings a modern sensibility to this stretch of the Lower East Side. Part-time doorman service is supplemented by virtual doorman service, and additional conveniences include a package room, bike storage, and a fitness center. A roof deck boasts grills, dining and lounging areas, and beautiful treetop and city views.
No more than two units per floor allow for excellent privacy, and all units feature private balconies or terraces that allow for indoor/outdoor living. Interiors feature floor-to-ceiling windows, glass doors, a consistent color palette, and premium materials and finishes throughout.
No more than two units per floor allow for excellent privacy, and all units feature private balconies or terraces that allow for indoor/outdoor living. Interiors feature floor-to-ceiling windows, glass doors, a consistent color palette, and premium materials and finishes throughout.
175 Chrystie Street, #2E (Azoulay Group Inc)
139 Bowery, #9C (Coldwell Banker Warburg)
118 Forsyth Street, #4
$3,150,000 (-6.7%)
Lower East Side | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 2,300 ft2
118 Forsyth Street, #4 (Corcoran Group)
38 Delancey Street, #4CD (Argo Residential)
14 Second Avenue, #2
$2,750,250 (-11.1%)
East Village | Condominium | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths | 1,613 ft2
14 Second Avenue, #2 (Douglas Elliman Real Estate)
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