Costas Kondylis (via The Real Deal) and his projects The Beekman Regent, Trump International, Silver Towers & Manhattan Place
The prolific architect Costas Kondylis died on Friday at age 78, according to The Real Deal. While his work wasn't critically acclaimed, he was known as the "developer's architect" (which he embraced) and one who defined Donald Trump’s real estate legacy, with projects like Trump World Tower (formerly the world’s tallest residential tower), Trump International, and several Trump Place buildings on Riverside Boulevard. However, he also designed more than 86 buildings in NYC, definitively changing our skyline forever and securing his place in history. Below, CityRealty ranks the top Costas Kondylis-designed buildings in Manhattan.
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Silverstein Properties | Built in 2006
882 Units | 60 Floors
Photo via Silverstein Properties
The Silver Towers are the most distinctive buildings to rise on the far west end of 42nd Street Standing 653-feet tall, the elegant pair of reflective glass buildings were the tallest rental buildings in Midtown when finished in 2006. Their elegant profiles and lantern tops are now a fixture on the Midtown West skyline, and their location is not far from Hudson Yards, Times Square, and the Theater District. The towers share a common podium which fronts a large plaza and playground designed by Thomas Balsley Associates. A quarter-acre park with willow and linden grove features playful bronze sculptures designed by Tom Otterness.
Apartments come in studio to two-bedroom configurations all with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bosch washers and dryers and stainless-steel kitchen appliances. Amenities include an outdoor entertaining terrace, 20,000 square feet of spa and gym facilities, a 75-foot indoor pool, a library lounge, an arrivals court with private parking, and valet and housekeeping services.
Apartments come in studio to two-bedroom configurations all with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bosch washers and dryers and stainless-steel kitchen appliances. Amenities include an outdoor entertaining terrace, 20,000 square feet of spa and gym facilities, a 75-foot indoor pool, a library lounge, an arrivals court with private parking, and valet and housekeeping services.
Featured Listing: #N40C, Studio, 1 bath - $3,390/month
Trump Organization | Built in 1997
156 Units | 52 Floors
Photo via Douglas Elliman
Located at one of the city's premier gateways at the southwestern corner of Central Park, Trump International Hotel and Tower is a sleek, sparkling mixed-use tower that was converted from a drab office building in 1997. Brought to market by Donald J. Trump and his partners, Daniel M. Galbreath and the G. E. Pension Trust, the building holds 168 hotel units on the lower 17 floors and 156 condominium apartments from floors 18 to 44.
According to our architecture critic, Carter Horsley, "the building radiates activity and the sense of money." Kondylis designed the building in collaboration with Philip Johnson Ritchie & Fiore, taking the undistinguished and structurally flawed Gulf & Western Building and glamming it up with a bronze reflective skin and angled piers that gleam in the light.
All the residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows and most have incredible views of Central Park and the skyline. The building has a doorman and concierge service, a garage with valet parking, maid service, a health club, a full-service spa, a swimming pool, a sundeck, and the renowned Jean-Georges restaurant.
According to our architecture critic, Carter Horsley, "the building radiates activity and the sense of money." Kondylis designed the building in collaboration with Philip Johnson Ritchie & Fiore, taking the undistinguished and structurally flawed Gulf & Western Building and glamming it up with a bronze reflective skin and angled piers that gleam in the light.
All the residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows and most have incredible views of Central Park and the skyline. The building has a doorman and concierge service, a garage with valet parking, maid service, a health club, a full-service spa, a swimming pool, a sundeck, and the renowned Jean-Georges restaurant.
Featured Listing: #35E, 2 beds, 2.5 baths - $3,695,000
Beekman International Center L.L.C | Built in 2001
64 Units | 20 Floors
Photo via Keller Williams
Constructed over a registered landmark—a 19th century former school building—the Beekman Regent earned the 2002 International Property Award for "Finest New Redevelopment in the World." The original base of the Midtown East building is similar in color and style to the Dakota.
Costas Kondylis’ design of the condo tower on top of that base includes many setbacks and terraces.
The building offers a diverse mix of layouts including lofts, simplexes, duplexes and penthouses. The apartments are reminiscent of grand pre-war residences, with details such as 14-foot coffered ceilings, crown moldings, sweeping galleries and 10-foot-high windows with white marble windowsills. Building amenities include a concierge, a garage with 24-hour valet service, continental breakfast service in the lobby, a wine cellar, and a health club.
Costas Kondylis’ design of the condo tower on top of that base includes many setbacks and terraces.
The building offers a diverse mix of layouts including lofts, simplexes, duplexes and penthouses. The apartments are reminiscent of grand pre-war residences, with details such as 14-foot coffered ceilings, crown moldings, sweeping galleries and 10-foot-high windows with white marble windowsills. Building amenities include a concierge, a garage with 24-hour valet service, continental breakfast service in the lobby, a wine cellar, and a health club.
Featured Listing: #15A, 3 beds, 3 baths - $2,849,000
Sutton East Associates
| Built in 1988
38 Units | 23 Floors
By Beyond My Ken
Built in 1988, 279 Central Park West is one of the youngest buildings along the avenue. While it lacks the ornate facades we're accustomed to seeing here, it is still attractive with its three-story limestone base, curved corner windows offering Central Park and skyline views, and eight terraced setbacks, which disappear as you move closer to the building. Layouts range from two-bedroom to five+ and include penthouses and duplexes. Apartment features include Brazilian wood floors, high ceilings, walk-in closets, in-home sound systems, and kitchens with the latest stainless steel appliances.
The building offers amenities that include a dark wood-paneled lobby, concierge services, 24-hour doorman, fitness center, laundry room, nursery, and a children's indoor and outdoor playroom. Nearby, residents enjoy access to Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The building offers amenities that include a dark wood-paneled lobby, concierge services, 24-hour doorman, fitness center, laundry room, nursery, and a children's indoor and outdoor playroom. Nearby, residents enjoy access to Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Featured Listing: #10B, 3 beds, 3.5 baths - $22,000/month
The Moinian Group
| Built in 1985
487 Units | 35 Floors
(Google street view)
The massive Atelier stands just behind Costas Kondylis' Silver Towers on West 42nd Street. The architect said the nautically-inspired building "recalls the bow of a great ship interpreted all in glass with wrap-around balconies and expansive views." Of the glass facade and its alternating protruding elements at the corners, our Architecture critic Carter Horsley says, "The effect is very striking, bold and high-tech. It's almost as if the building were showing off its abs."
Securing its place as a premium tower, the Atelier is responsible for the most expensive condo listing in NYC right now–an $85 million 45th floor duplex and has been known to attract a celebrity or two.
The Atelier is a Green building with a solar power on the roof and impressive amenities that include a concierge service that goes above and beyond to pamper, a 12,000-square-foot health club, movie club, rooftop lounge, rooftop terraces, daily breakfast in the lobby, basketball court, tennis court, golf driving range, and much more. Each residence comes equipped with a high-end kitchen, oversized windows, a washer and dryers, and white oak floors.
Securing its place as a premium tower, the Atelier is responsible for the most expensive condo listing in NYC right now–an $85 million 45th floor duplex and has been known to attract a celebrity or two.
The Atelier is a Green building with a solar power on the roof and impressive amenities that include a concierge service that goes above and beyond to pamper, a 12,000-square-foot health club, movie club, rooftop lounge, rooftop terraces, daily breakfast in the lobby, basketball court, tennis court, golf driving range, and much more. Each residence comes equipped with a high-end kitchen, oversized windows, a washer and dryers, and white oak floors.
Featured Listing: #24F, 2 beds, 2 baths - $1,639,000
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Trump Organization | Built in 2001
376 Units | 90 Floors
Photo via Douglas Elliman
Trump World Tower’s 72 stories offer protected views of the United Nations and East River, and its walls of floor-to-ceiling windows afford ample opportunities from which to enjoy those sights. Occupying the entire block between 47th and 48th Streets on First Avenue in Midtown East, Costas Kondylis’ design includes a two-story marble lobby and its opulent details include wood-burning fireplaces, ceilings between 10 and 13 feet, and polished maple floors.
Each Trump World Tower apartment is equipped with a washer and dryer and a house phone connects to the concierge and other building services. Other amenities include a private health club and spa with a 60-foot swimming pool, a private wine cellar, a roof deck and a bicycle room. There is also a 24-hour doorman, a concierge and a security staff in the building, which is within walking distance of the East River Esplanade and Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza.
Each Trump World Tower apartment is equipped with a washer and dryer and a house phone connects to the concierge and other building services. Other amenities include a private health club and spa with a 60-foot swimming pool, a private wine cellar, a roof deck and a bicycle room. There is also a 24-hour doorman, a concierge and a security staff in the building, which is within walking distance of the East River Esplanade and Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza.
Featured Listing: #39C, 3 beds, 3 baths - $4,497,000
The Brodsky Organization | Built in 2000
218 Units | 38 Floors
(Google street view)
Located near the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, the dark glass Bridge Tower Place is setback on a low-rise base and has pattered façades with two-story-high stone framings and stone quoins on a protruding bay. It has a marquee entrance set in a nicely landscaped plaza that has seating.
No more than four apartments per floor allow for excellent privacy, and all units combine classic details with modern luxuries. Features include 10' ceilings, herringbone floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens, and in-unit washer/dryers. Many units have private terraces. Building amenities include an underground garage, concierge, children’s playroom, fitness center, and landscaped roof deck overlooking postcard-perfect river, bridge, and skyline views.
No more than four apartments per floor allow for excellent privacy, and all units combine classic details with modern luxuries. Features include 10' ceilings, herringbone floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, gourmet kitchens, and in-unit washer/dryers. Many units have private terraces. Building amenities include an underground garage, concierge, children’s playroom, fitness center, and landscaped roof deck overlooking postcard-perfect river, bridge, and skyline views.
Featured Listing: #31C, 3 beds, 3.5 baths - $2,795,000
Trump Organization | Built in 2004
170 Units | 31 Floors
(Google street view)
The Heritage is a very handsome condominium apartment tower and is the northernmost building in the redevelopment of the former rail yards at the south end of Riverside Park on the Upper West Side. The building is notable for its large, curved base and its tower looms nicely over the bottom end of Riverside Park and Riverside Drive. It is the closest of all the buildings along Riverside South to express subway service at 72nd Street.
The Heritage has spectacular views of the Hudson River and Riverside Drive, a 24-hour concierge, a doorman, a garage, a 15,000-square-foot health club with two pools, a children’s playroom, a screening room, an event/party room, basement storage, a landscaped courtyard and central air-conditioning. There is a wide variety of apartments and many homes have private balconies. Current listings have an average price per square foot of $2,263 and come in 1- to 3-bedroom configurations.
The Heritage has spectacular views of the Hudson River and Riverside Drive, a 24-hour concierge, a doorman, a garage, a 15,000-square-foot health club with two pools, a children’s playroom, a screening room, an event/party room, basement storage, a landscaped courtyard and central air-conditioning. There is a wide variety of apartments and many homes have private balconies. Current listings have an average price per square foot of $2,263 and come in 1- to 3-bedroom configurations.
Featured Listing: #7LM, 3 beds, 3.5 baths - $3,449,000
SJP Properties
| Built in 2008
220 Units | 42 Floors
(Google street view)
The Platinum is a very sleek residential condominium tower at West 46th Street and Eighth Avenue and was the first project to use transferable air-rights created in the Theater District in 1988. This tower has a very stunning and impressive reflective glass façade highlight by "abs" that bulge slightly from the middle of a few floors about two-thirds of the way up the tower.
Apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows and current listings have an average price per square foot of $1,498 and come in 1- and 2-bedroom configurations. The lobby has a 26-foot-long fireplace and a moat of moving water. The building has a 24/7 doorman and concierge service, a roof deck, a garage, and private storage. There is a full floor of fitness and relaxation amenities including a fitness center, indoor/outdoor yoga studios, spa treatment rooms, and a landscaped terrace with a stone fireplace.
Apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows and current listings have an average price per square foot of $1,498 and come in 1- and 2-bedroom configurations. The lobby has a 26-foot-long fireplace and a moat of moving water. The building has a 24/7 doorman and concierge service, a roof deck, a garage, and private storage. There is a full floor of fitness and relaxation amenities including a fitness center, indoor/outdoor yoga studios, spa treatment rooms, and a landscaped terrace with a stone fireplace.
Featured Listing: #2602, 1 bed, 1.5 baths - $1,626,000
The Glick Organization
| Built in 1985
487 Units | 35 Floors
Photo via Douglas Elliman
A sumptuous lobby with soaring ceilings and a waterfall sets the tone for Manhattan Place, an angled, brick and glass tower with high-end homes that ushered in a shining new era for this section of Murray Hill, and indeed the luxury condominium. As one of the first high-rise condo buildings in Manhattan and one of the first to focus on luxury design, it caught Trump's attention.
Apartments offer open layouts, excellent sunlight, high ceilings, chef’s kitchens, and good closet space. Amenities include a laundry room, storage, children’s playroom, party room with piano and full kitchen, and a rooftop health club with a workout room, running track, indoor pool, hot tub, sun decks, locker rooms, steam room, and saunas.
Apartments offer open layouts, excellent sunlight, high ceilings, chef’s kitchens, and good closet space. Amenities include a laundry room, storage, children’s playroom, party room with piano and full kitchen, and a rooftop health club with a workout room, running track, indoor pool, hot tub, sun decks, locker rooms, steam room, and saunas.
Featured Listing: #5K, 2 beds, 2 baths - $1,250,000
Over the past year, the average price/ft2 in Costas Kondylis-designed buildings has been $1,510, a decrease of 6% year-over-year, according to CityRealty’s Costas Kondylis Index, which tracks prices in Manhattan condos designed by the architect. Prices in Kondylis-designed condos are significantly cheaper, on average, than other Manhattan condos, reflecting their age compared to newer buildings. Over the past year, prices the average price/ft2 in all Manhattan condos has been $1,814.
The priciest Kondylis-designed buildings in the city are The Park Laurel (also designed by Beyer Blinder Belle), which had an average price/ft2 of $2,948 over the last 12 months, and Morton Square, which had an average price/ft2 of $1,988 over the last year. Kondylis, known as one of the Trump Organization’s favored architects, designed Trump World Tower, where the average price/ft2 over the past year has been $1,521.
The priciest Kondylis-designed buildings in the city are The Park Laurel (also designed by Beyer Blinder Belle), which had an average price/ft2 of $2,948 over the last 12 months, and Morton Square, which had an average price/ft2 of $1,988 over the last year. Kondylis, known as one of the Trump Organization’s favored architects, designed Trump World Tower, where the average price/ft2 over the past year has been $1,521.
Michelle Mozzarella, Emrys Fitzgerald, and Ondel Hylton also contributed to the reporting of this article.
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?
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Sandra Herrera
Sandra Herrera is a writer, editor, and graphic designer based in Brooklyn, NY.
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