15 West 96th Street (The Agency Brokerage)
While a residential building boomlet has taken hold of the Upper West Side, the new development is not evenly distributed: The side streets and Broadway corridor have seen a number of new developments, but new construction alongside Central Park is limited due to constraints of the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District.
One notable exception is 15 West 96th Street, which marketing materials describe as the Upper West Side’s first new development within one block of Central Park in over a decade. Construction was paused during the pandemic, but topped out in June 2022 and continued apace ever since. Most recently, sales have launched on the apartments inside.
The crowning glory is a duplex penthouse with a 432-square-foot corner terrace, but it has not yet come on the market. Current availabilities start at $1.595 million for one-bedrooms, $2.7 million for two-bedrooms, and $5.995 million for three-bedrooms. The current listings’ average price of $2,116 per square foot is above the local condo average of $1,718 per square foot (per CityRealty data), but the units’ incredible privacy, high-end finishes and appliances, and prime location may account for the discrepency.
One notable exception is 15 West 96th Street, which marketing materials describe as the Upper West Side’s first new development within one block of Central Park in over a decade. Construction was paused during the pandemic, but topped out in June 2022 and continued apace ever since. Most recently, sales have launched on the apartments inside.
The crowning glory is a duplex penthouse with a 432-square-foot corner terrace, but it has not yet come on the market. Current availabilities start at $1.595 million for one-bedrooms, $2.7 million for two-bedrooms, and $5.995 million for three-bedrooms. The current listings’ average price of $2,116 per square foot is above the local condo average of $1,718 per square foot (per CityRealty data), but the units’ incredible privacy, high-end finishes and appliances, and prime location may account for the discrepency.
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Sackman Enterprises is the developer of the project, which is located on the north side of 96th Street and therefore just outside the Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District. As such, construction was able to take place as of right (i.e., without having to go before the Landmarks Preservation Commission). Nevertheless, some preservationists were chagrined to see three early 20th century townhouses get demolished to make way for the new, SLCE Architects-designed building, which some have scorned as “a bland box o’condos.”
While 15 West 96th Street does not cast its neighbors in shadow, it is unquestionably the tallest building on its block. West Side Rag notes that the 22-story building was allowed to rise higher because of a “community facility” bonus achieved by housing the new home of Chabad of the Upper West Side on the first five floors. The religious organization has outgrown its current space, and the new facility will include two synagogues, a mikveh, a library, a conference center, meeting rooms, classrooms, and a terrace-playground.
A 24-hour doorman and live-in superintendent are on staff, and amenities include a fitness center, children’s playroom, and private storage. Another great perk of 15 West 96th Street is its Upper West Side address, which allows residents to treat Central Park as their backyard. It is especially close to the Central Park Tennis Center, the North Meadow’s baseball and softball fields, and multiple playgrounds. Outside of Central Park, it is a short distance from popular restaurants, area schools, and Columbus Square shopping, which includes Whole Foods, HomeGoods, and TJ Maxx. The 96th Street B/C stop is at the end of the block.
↓ The apartments start on the sixth floor, and all interiors feature 10’ ceilings, oversized windows, and European White Oak straight plank flooring.
↓ Kitchens come equipped with custom Bilotta cabinetry, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash, ample pantry space, and a Bertazzoni Master Series appliance package.
↓ Bedrooms enjoy equally abundant natural light and closet space.
↓ Central Park is at the end of the block, but all residents enjoy outdoor oases of their own with private balconies or terraces.
↓ A one-bedroom is listed for $1,595,000.
↓ A two-bedroom is on the market for $2,700,000.
↓ A full-floor three-bedroom is available for $5,995,000.
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